Strategic Plan
FY 25 - 27
Letter from the Dean
Dear Stakeholders,
The USF Health College of Nursing has been through tremendous growth over the past four years, with demonstrated gains in many of our metrics. This could not have been achieved without the vision, confidence, and hard work of our college team members.
Our FY 21-24 Strategic Plan was ambitious and focused on the following key areas:
• Educate nurses at the generalist, specialist, and scientist levels who are highly prepared to make a significant impact on local, national, and global health outcomes.
• Enhance the conduct and dissemination of nationally recognized nursing science research and innovations that improve health and well-being.
• Establish the USF Health College of Nursing faculty practice to meet the needs of our community and to provide practice opportunities for nurse practitioner faculty.
• Improve the regional and national reputation of the USF Health College of Nursing through raising awareness, enhancing strategic engagement with our stakeholders, sustainable community partnerships, and rankings.
The FY 21-24 Strategic Plan guided us to major accomplishments, including:
• A full 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from CCNE and COA.
• A 14-spot increase in Blue Ridge National Research rank to 28.
• A top 25 ranking in U.S. News & World Report for our MSN program.
• Average pass rates on the NCLEX exam of 95% and nearly 100% pass rates on advanced practice certification exams.
• The launch of two nurse-led clinical practices serving the most vulnerable in our community.
These and other accomplishments have positioned us to excel to greater heights and introduce innovations for research and academic excellence, student success, personnel development, and serving the Tampa Bay community through evidence-based clinical practice. I am proud to introduce our FY 25-27 Strategic Plan. This plan is the product of a collaborative effort that engaged the full breadth of our community—faculty, staff, students, board members, and external stakeholders. Together, we have cast a bold vision for growth, innovation, and leadership in nursing education and research.
The development of the new strategic plan was anchored in a comprehensive and inclusive process. A special workgroup was appointed to review perspectives gathered from across the college. Working with external consultants, we began by hosting a series of listening sessions and workshops, creating a space for open dialogue about the opportunities and challenges ahead, and recognizing that our strength lies in our diverse voices. Faculty, staff, and students offered insights into our current capabilities and aspirations, while stakeholders from healthcare systems, industry, and the broader community shared their invaluable expertise.
Guided by the input we received, we conducted a thorough analysis of our internal resources, academic programs, and external environment. This collaborative approach helped us identify key priorities that will position us to grow, innovate, and lead in the evolving healthcare landscape. Our focus is not only on enhancing the quality of education and research but also on ensuring our graduates are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of the future.
The new strategic plan is built on the foundation of our collective ambition, and is well aligned with the priorities of USF Health and the university at large. It defines our bold vision for growth in key areas such as faculty development, student success, research innovation, and community engagement. Most importantly, it reflects our shared commitment to advancing the health and well-being of our community through nursing excellence.
As we embark on this exciting journey, I want to express my deep gratitude to all who participated in this process. Their contributions have shaped a vision that will guide us in the years to come, and I look forward to working together to make this vision a reality. Go Bulls!
With sincere appreciation,
Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM Dean and University Distinguished Health Professor College of Nursing Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health
Employ the core values of excellence, innovation, inclusion, and respect to educate future nurses, advance nursing science, and implement evidence-based clinical practice to improve health and wellness.
Mission Vision
Be the aspirational leader in nursing education, research, and practice.
Core Values
Respect, Integrity, Inclusion, Excellence, Innovation, Partnership
Introduction
Founded in 1973, the USF Health College of Nursing remains dedicated to excellence in nursing education, trailblazing research, and significantly impacting our community.
Through an iterative process with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders, we developed our three year strategic plan (FY 25-27) to sustain the momentum gained as a leader in academic nursing. Our goals are illustrated under four focal pillars - Education, Research, Practice, and Impact.
The USF Health College of Nursing aims to be the premier institution for nursing education, distinguished by top-ranked educational programs, trailblazing research, innovative practice plans, and significant impact on our local, national, and global communities.
Education
Strategic Goal 1:
Educate exemplary nurses at the generalist, specialist, and scientist levels to significantly impact local, national, and global health outcomes.
Objectives
3.
1. Achieve top-tier licensure and certification pass rates. Develop new educational pathways to meet workforce needs. 2. Enhance high-impact educational experiences (e.g., study abroad, service-learning, undergraduate research).
4. Support student success metrics for all undergraduates and graduates.
Research
Strategic Goal 2:
Advance patient, family, and community health outcomes through research in data systems, implementation science, health determinants, and precision science.
Objectives
1. Foster the leadership of high-impact research supported through external funding.
2. Increase the college’s Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research ranking each year.
3. Enhance the college’s research and development expenditure.
Practice
Strategic Goal 3:
Expand the USF Health College of Nursing clinic practice to deliver community engaged healthcare to underserved populations.
Objectives
1. Establish faculty practice at clinic sites.
2. Develop a sustainable financial model for clinics.
3. Improve primary care accessibility in the community.
Strategic Goal 4:
Impact
Maximize meaningful engagement with local, national, and global partners and communities through leadership, excellence, and social responsibility.
Objectives
1. Maintain a strategic budget model.
2. Enhance the USF Health College of Nursing’s physical space.
Increase philanthropic giving to provide sustained support for programming.
Amplify the college’s reputation. Increase the college’s global reputation through interdisciplinary global research.
Executive Council
Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM
Tasha M. Brown, PhD, PMP
Michelle L. Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
Jessica Gelabert
Brittany Hay, PhD, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC
Audrey Holtzman
Elizabeth “Betty” T. Jordan, DNSc, FAAN
Annmarie Lyles, PhD, RN, CNE
Ukamaka M. Oruche, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Strategic Planning Committee
Heather Buchanan
Michelle Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
Jaime Davis
Rebecca Gubernick
Lieu Huynh
Jennifer Kue, PhD
Ryan Pace, PhD
Pranam Parsanlal
Jenita Taylor
Cheryl Zambroski, PhD, RN
