Strategic Plan Accomplishments


Achieving Our Strategic Plan:  Each unit contributes toward meeting the Augusta University mission and furthering our strategic plan.  Following is an ongoing list that chronicles our journey to become a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, health care, discovery, creativity, and innovation.

Strategic Priority 1: Be a National Model

Strategic Priority 2: Be a Comprehensive Research University

Strategic Priority 3: Be a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Leader

Strategic Priority 4: Provide Service

Strategic Priority 5: Optimize our Potential

Strategic Priority 6: Diversity and Inclusion Across all Missions


 Strategic Priority 1: Be a National Model

  • Campus Master Plan Completion in 2015
  • Jaguar Collaborative.
  • Education Mission Strategic Plan Completed
  • Employee Engagement Survey Implementation
  • Implementation of Tobacco Free on all Campuses.
  • Consolidation of the College of Nursing resulting in largest number of nursing graduates in GA in all degree levels:  For more information, visit College of Nursing.
  • Named to the Victory Media’s Military Friendly Schools List for 2 years.

Strategic Priority 2: Be a Comprehensive Research University

  • Dr. Teal Benevides was featured on the “Means Report” and WFXG to discuss her latest research project, “Priority Setting to Improve Health Outcomes: Autistic Adults and Other Stakeholders Engage Together.” The project recently received $250,000 from the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement award.

  • Dr. Nagy Youssef, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University, is exploring the use of spiritual therapy to treat veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The article regarding his efforts has been published in more than 40 publications across the country, including The Washington Times and Miami Herald.

  • A $9.4 million Program Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute helps scientists explore how cell death from high blood pressure fuels even higher pressure.

  • The College of Nursing launched its “Family Epigenetics Program” (FEP) to conduct family epigenetics research and integrate new technologies and research discoveries into modern health strategies.
  • Matt Lyon and Dr. David Monn are two of only four recipients for Georgia Bio’s 2017 Innovation Awards.
  • Augusta University Medical Center is 1 of only 19 hospitals in the United States and the only medical center in Georgia to be selected for a pilot program that aims to improve kidney transplantation nationwide as part of the three-year Collaborative Innovation and Improvement Network (COIIN) project.
  • In December of 2016, the Institute of Public and Preventive Health launched its Center for Bioethics and Health Policy (CBHP) to address the challenges in biomedical ethics, health policy and public health.
  • The first issue of the Arsenal was published in November of 2016. It is an undergraduate research journal with the purpose of allowing undergraduate students to participate in the process of publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • Enrolled first cohort of students in Ph.D. in Applied Health Sciences in fall 2015. Enrollment in 2016 doubled.

  • Enrolled first cohort of students in Master of Science in Allied Health Science with a concentration in Nutrition in fall 2016.

  • Offered a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis on Musical Theater in fall 2016.

  • Graduated first cohort of students in spring 2016 from the Dietetic Internship of the College of Allied Health Sciences.

  • Established first two Living Learning Communities in fall 2016 for freshman STEM majors.

  • Received BOR approval for Masters of Science in Information Security Management in Hull College of Business to begin January 2017 (now in the School for Computer & Cyber Sciences).

  • Offered Nonprofit Leadership Certificate starting fall 2016. 

  • Inaugurated state-of-the-art cyber facility for the Cyber Institute in September 2016 containing 9,000-square-feet of dedicated space in University Hall, including a state-of-the-art cyber lab, a study lounge for students, a cyber coffee bar area and 15 offices. 

  • Opened new student housing facilities, Oak Hall and Elm Hall.

  • Created New Position and Hired VP for Academic Planning and Strategic Initiatives:  Quincy Byrdsong
  • Created a New Position and Hired a Dean of Student Life:  Scott Wallace
  • Created a New Position and Hired a new AVP for Student Services:  David Barron
  • Opening of the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons.
  • Cyber Institute Launch.
  • Libraries Issue LibQUAL:  For more information, visit   LibQUAL page.  
  • Academic Works (a scholarship management solution) Implementation.
  • Creation of the Office of Faculty Development & Teaching Excellence.
  • Robust CCG Implementation Plan
  • Summer Scholars Program Created by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS):  For more information, visit the Summer Scholars Program website.

Strategic Priority 3: Be a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Leader

  • Kinesiology Pro Consult, an app developed by members of the Occupational Therapy and the Instructional Design and Development departments, won gold in the EdTech category of the Design 100 2015 App Design Awards.

  • Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Nurse Practitioner degree program in 2015.

  • The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognized the Augusta University chapter as a Chapter of Excellence, which is the highest commendation a chapter can receive.

  • Robert B. Greenblatt Library received the 2015 Consortium of Southern Biomedical Libraries (CONBLS) Distinguished Library Award.

  • College of Nursing ranked No. 1 nursing school in the Eastern region in 2015 by Nurse Journal.

  • New Senior Vice President for Research Appointed.
  • New Associate Vice President for Basic Science Research Appointed.
  • Completion of the Children’s Research Unit.
  • Continue Holding the Annual Innovation Summit
  • New Associate Dean for the College of Nursing Research.

Strategic Priority 4: Provide Service

  • On February 8, 2017, 22 Dental College of Georgia students volunteered for Lessons in a Lunch Box, an oral health literacy initiative developed by the Children’s Oral Health Institute that brings oral health care to grade school students. Special lunch boxes, which contained floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste, were delivered to 154 first and second grade students at Lamar-Milledge Elementary School.

  • The grand opening of the Academic Success Center on January 9, 2017, commemorated the introduction of a valuable new resource for students. The center focuses on assisting freshmen and sophomores through tutoring and teaching useful tools and techniques about how to study for college.

  • On Give Kids a Smile Day, more than 150 children from New Holland, Rollins and Monte Sano Elementary Schools were given free cleanings, screenings and other dental health services by students and faculty with the Dental College of Georgia and the College of Allied Health Sciences.

  • The University Libraries will implement new state-wide library system which includes the catalog used to find books, journals and other library materials either at Augusta University or from other USG institutions.
  • Clinical and Digital Health Sciences Department, in collaboration with theClubhou.se, received a $550,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help startups in midsized communities collaborate to solve public health problems through innovation.
  • The College of Allied Health Sciences collaborated with the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and theClubhou.se to host the Health Tech Startup Expo on January 27, 2017.
  • Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals cut the ribbon on January 17, 2016, for its newly renovated Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) Hospital. Augusta University Health assumed management of the rehabilitation and acute-care services at Roosevelt Warm Springs in June 2013 in conjunction with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
  • The Augusta University rural Hospital Task Force, convened in 2016 by President Brooks A. Keel, developed recommendations for how the academic health center can assist in the sustainability of the state’s rural hospitals. The use of telemedicine to reach more rural patients in Georgia is highlighted in The Washington Times and The Augusta Chronicle.
  • Jedidiah Ballard, the 2016 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy, provides health and fitness tips every Wednesday on WRDW-TV News 12 and its sister station WAGT-TV NBC 26 Augusta.
  • The Find a Doctor feature on Augusta University Health’s website, org, won a silver award from Strategic Health Care Communications in the category of Best Doctor Directory – Healthcare System during SHCC’s 17th annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards ceremony of 2016.
  • Augusta University Health was recognized by the 2016 CardioVascular Advertising Awards, earning a gold award in the Academic Medical Center – Newsletter – Single category for the institution’s “Health On Time Cardiac” Newsletter, Fall 2015.
  • Offered two GenCyber Camp for high school students in the summer 2015/2016, and offered the first GenCyber Middle Grades Teacher Camp in summer 2016. 

  • Offered Cyber Georgia @ Augusta University, which was the third annual Cyber Education Summit, in collaboration with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in October 2016 and featured CIA Director John Brennan and NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett.

  • Chief of the National Security Agency’s Tailored Access Operations (TAO), Rob Joyce, spoke on September 10, 2016 at BSidesAugusta 2016.

  • Signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday, April 15, 2016, with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence to share resources and help develop a cyber-trained workforce.

  • Ranked a 2017 “Best for Vets” University according to a recent report from the Military Times.

  • Hosted the annual Nuclear Science Week Education Day on October 19, 2016, by the College of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Science and Mathematics for students from Richmond County Technical Career Magnet High School, Evans High, and Aiken Career and Technology Center.

  • A study appeared first in the nation to examine the impact of vitamin K supplements as a safe alternative to lower the risk of cardiovascular risk of obese children. A total of 60 children ages 8 to 17 will participate in the study.

  • Raised nearly $17,000 for Children’s Hospital of Georgia during the inaugural Dance Marathon on October 28, 2016, by a new student-run organization called Jaguar Miracle. 

  • Provided examinations, health screenings, and bilingual information for female farmworkers at a free health clinic hosted by students on October 28, 2016.

  • Offered the Study Abroad Experience to Jamaica for Occupational Therapy students to work with children and adults with disabilities.

  • Children’s Hospital of Georgia was recently reaccredited for another three years by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for high-quality performance in pediatric echocardiography.

  • Augusta University Health retained level 4 status, the highest accreditation possible, from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for its comprehensive adult and pediatric epilepsy program.

  • College of Nursing awarded $350,000 to increase number of primary care Advanced Practice Register Nurses (APRNs) in rural and/or undeserved communities in Georgia.

  • New Augusta University Health CEO Lee Ann Liska focusing on improving patient safety and satisfaction.

  • Provided rapid stroke care using a web cam through the REACH program’s tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) over the last 13 years to more than 1,000 people in rural Georgia and South Carolina.

  • Augusta University Health earned CEO Cancer Gold Standard reaccreditation for maintaining a strong commitment to the health of its employees and satisfying the latest, comprehensive requirements of the Gold Standard.

  • Augusta University Health agrees to share expertise in health care operations and management with the 56-bed Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville, Georgia.

  • Newborns with meconium aspiration who are placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at Children’s Hospital of Georgia have the highest survival rates (97%) when compared to the national averages of ECMO Centers with comparable volumes.

  • Augusta University Health earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star designation for a third time. It is the only hospital in Georgia which holds the designation for 2016 and, as of April, one of only six medical centers in the country.

  • A May 2016 report by the Georgia Hospital Association noted Augusta University Health and its partnership with the state’s Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals generated close to $1.3 billion in revenue for the local and state economy.

  • Hosted annual middle school Model United Nations Conference on March 16, 2016.

  • Held the 18th annual Impacting Student Learning Conference in March 2016.

  • Hosted more than 100 student presenters at the 33rd annual Georgia Collegiate Honors Council Conference on February 27, 2016.

  • Augusta University Health earned three patient care quality and safety awards in 2016 from the Partnership for Health and Accountability, an affiliate of the Georgia Hospital Association.

  • Students and faculty from the Dental College of Georgia and College of Allied Health Sciences provided free dental care for local children on February 5, 2016.

  • Hosted training session on ultrasound diagnostics for Army doctors from Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon at the Medical College of Georgia.

  • As part of the Transformation Agenda, Adult Inpatient Medicine opened a 15 all-private-bed medicine unit on 8 South in December 2015.

  • Piloted a Patient Discharge Lounge on 5 North in the Oncology Library to enhance patient throughput.

  • Men’s basketball team hosted second annual Education Day game for over 2,500 Richmond County fifth graders on December 15, 2016.

  • Received the final order on November 23, 2015, from the Commissioner of DCH awarding the Certificate of Need to build a 100-bed hospital in Grovetown.

  • Named an Engine of Opportunity school in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education for offering affordable education to low-income students and contributing to their mobility into the middle class.

  • Augusta University Health was presented the Harry Orme, M.D., Partnership Award for exemplary Patient- and Family-Centered Care at the national PFCC Conference in California in October 2015.

  • Unveiled in 2015 a $25.8 million plan by Augusta University Health to renovate the clinical facilities at the historic Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospitals.

  • Augusta University Health purchased a 30-percent ownership in the Surgery Center of Columbia County.

  • Children’s Hospital of Georgia ranks No. 1 in pediatric care for all of 2014 according to the latest Quality and Safety Management Report from the University HealthSystem Consortium.

  • June 2015 marks the 10-year celebration of the Augusta University Medical Associates, Lake Oconee Village.

  • The Breast Cancer Team of the Georgia Cancer Center was accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Center, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons in fall of 2015.

  • Created Go Downtown to encourage faculty, students, and staff to enjoy Downtown Augusta.  For more information, please visit the Go Downtown website.
  • Cancer Center Launched c-CARE Initiative designed to improve cancer outcomes in minority and medically-underserved populations:  For more information visit the cCARE website.
  • Held Costa Layman Health Fair 10 Year Anniversary.
  • Hosted fifth annual Augusta Area Asthma Day Camp by the Respiratory Therapy Program.”
  • Dental College of Georgia Students Engaged in Multiple Student Organizations:  For more information, visit the DCG Student Organizations website.
  • Engagement in Multiple Projects through the Institute of Public and Preventive Health (IPPH):  For a complete listing, visit the IPPH Our Projects website.
  • Child Life Services Manager Kym Allen named WRDW’s September 2016 Time to Care Award recipient for working with young patients at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

  • Bart’s Heart, a children’s book written by Dr. Cargill H. Alleyne Jr., won second place at the 2015 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards.

  • The Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust awarded Augusta University nearly $1.5 million to help fund the consolidated and expanded kidney transplant clinic.


Strategic Priority 5: Optimize our Potential

  • A $1 million gift from the Medical College of Georgia Foundation will help establish a new scholarship and further diversify the state’s public medical school.

  • John “Jay” Heslen, assistant professor of political science and cyber, received a $284,434 2017 CyberSecurity Core Curriculum Development Grant from the National Security Agency. The grant supports the President’s Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP), and one of its primary goals is to develop publically available core cyber curricula and prepare graduates for work in federal cybersecurity positions.

  • A partnership between the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Westobou will provide more opportunities for students while helping the arts organization further solidify itself as one of Augusta’s leading cultural institutions.

  • On February 14, 2017, the newly remodeled gift shop at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia opened and was renamed Re:sourxe Gifts by Sodexo. Re:sourxe offers more service hours, including evening and weekend hours, a great merchandise selection and an e-commerce site.

  • On February 22, 2017, Dessert with Deans allows students and others to connect with the academic leadership at Augusta University.

  • Hospitality is the 3rd-largest employer in Augusta, and Augusta University is focusing on this all-important industry with the introduction of its new Hospitality Administration Certificate Program.

  • The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University rolled out its new advertising campaign for employees and patients on December 16, 2016.
  • The 16th annual Cares for Kids Radiothon for Children’s Hospital of Georgia raised nearly $216,000, which was $10,000 more than was raised last year.
  • AU Health is beginning to reap the benefits from the 15-year, $300 million alliance signed with Philips in June of 2013. Some of these include an annual average of about $8 million in capital expense savings and improvement of patient care.
  • A pilot diabetes management program for AU Medical Center group health plan members began November 2016. The Livongo for Diabetes Program makes living with diabetes easier.
  • Augusta University Health unveils a new post-anesthesia care unit, which adds seven new bays for a total of 25 anesthesia and surgical recovery rooms.

  • Augusta University Health signed 15-year master service agreement with Beckman Coulter in October 2016.

  • The 2016 IGIVE fundraiser for Augusta University exceeded its $1 million goal for the second consecutive year.

  • Cerner’s Capacity Management Patient Flow system was implemented hospital-wide on December 15, 2015, to improve patient throughput and increase staff and patient satisfaction.

  • The 15th annual Cares for Kids Radiothon for Children’s Hospital of Georgia raised almost $205,000.

  • Held second annual Dance Dash in November 2015 to raise money for Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

  • Implemented the Care Facilitation Division on all nursing units.

  • The Student Counseling & Psychological Services was featured in a Chronicle of Higher Education article concerning how campus counseling centers are meeting rising demand from students.

  • Employee Engagement Survey Implementation:  For more information on university employee engagement at Augusta University, visit the Office of the Provost.  For more information on Health System employee engagement, visit the Employee Engagement Survey article in JAGWIRE.
  • Creation of the Office of Leadership Development, including Leadership Academy:  For more information, visit the Leadership Academy website.
  • Upgrades and Improvements were made to the Health Sciences Student Center to better support new student housing located adjacent to the building.  Significant production capacity was added to the kitchen facilities and the food court was upgraded into the Atrium Dining Hall, providing the university’s first true dining hall experience.  In addition the first and second floor seating areas were completely remodeled and designed to provide intimate gathering spaces for students. Additional dining seating capacity (110 seats) has been added to the Summerville Campus Food Court to allow additional gathering and dining space for our students. A new residential meal plan program was developed to support the new student housing.  The meal program is innovative in that it allows both a traditional dining experience in a dining hall and a high level of flexibility for use across the 20 dining locations in our university and hospital dining outlets. 
  • A food pantry was started during the spring 2016 semester and will have an official kick off officially during the fall semester.  So far 498 pounds of non-perishable food and toiletries have been collected. 
  • The Jaguar Express Transit system has been expanded significantly to accommodate new student housing on the Health Sciences campus.  A new super route that connects the Health Sciences, Summerville and Forest Hills campuses will provide service to each stop approximately every 10-12 minutes - a significant improvement over the previous 30 minute service times.  A transit tracking app is now available allowing students, faculty, and staff to track the location of their bus in real time from their mobile device.
  • The Augusta University Copy & Print Center significantly added production capacity with 4 new high volume commercial production multi-function print devices to support the new Augusta University brand and ensure branding compliance.
  • The RoarStore campus bookstores launched a new e-commerce site with more than 1200 Augusta University branded items to support the new Augusta University brand and, working in close partnership with the Division of Communications and Marketing, launched a completely new Augusta University branded  merchandise selection on the day of the new brand launch.

Strategic Priority 6: Diversity and Inclusion Across all Missions

  • Creation and Implementation of the Confucius Institute.
  • Implementation of Healthy Respect at the University and in the Health System.
  • Increase in Under-Represented Minorities in the Medical College of Georgia Class:  For more information, visit the Student Diversity Interactive Report.
  • The College of Nursing Diversity and Inclusion initiative includes outreach and engagement with Augusta University Equality as a “Come Out for Health” Week sponsor; Hispanic and Black Nurses national associations, and educational partnerships with Spelman, Agnes Scott, and Paine Colleges.
  • Received 2013 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine.
  • Received the 2014 Award for Diversity and Inclusion by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).