West Chester University’s President Aims for Transformation

West Chester University President Laurie Bernotsky unveiled an ambitious action plan aimed at transforming the institution from “almost awesome” to “awesome” during her first campus-wide address since her inauguration in September 2022. The address, held at the Philips Memorial Building, attracted a record audience, with over 222 viewers streaming the event online, highlighting the community’s interest in the university’s future.

Bernotsky’s plan, introduced on October 6, 2023, is grounded in a strategic direction that emphasizes engagement across the campus. Her conversational approach, which included moving around the stage rather than delivering a formal speech from behind a podium, reflected her passion for education and connection with students. She emphasized the importance of students, stating, “You’re why we’re here.”

Strategic Themes for Progress

During her address, Bernotsky shared insights from a recent professor’s comment about writing a book titled “Almost Awesome.” This inspired her to create a framework for the university’s future, focusing on three strategic themes: “Be Better,” “Think Bigger,” and “Foster Moments.”

The first theme, “Be Better,” encourages small changes and personal accountability rather than increased workloads. Bernotsky explained, “Doing things differently doesn’t have to mean doing more.” The second theme, influenced by Dan Heath‘s book “Upstream,” advocates for proactive solutions to potential problems, shifting the focus from reactive measures. Lastly, “Foster Moments” highlights the significance of creating meaningful experiences for students, which Bernotsky believes are integral to the university’s success.

Rejecting traditional long-term strategic plans, Bernotsky favors an action-oriented approach that emphasizes simplicity and immediate engagement. She initiated her leadership with a Listening Tour, making 40 stops to gather input from the university community. Questions such as, “What makes West Chester University different and great?” and “Where do we go from here?” shaped the foundation of her strategic plan.

Experiential Learning as a Priority

Experiential learning emerged as a key priority in Bernotsky’s vision. She remarked, “Students who get to do experiential learning have a competitive edge when they graduate compared to students who haven’t had that opportunity.” The president envisions a future where every student at West Chester University benefits from such experiences.

To further illustrate her vision, Bernotsky shared a tangible model of the action plan, created at her kitchen table. This model, which resembled a “plush toy,” symbolizes what “awesome” looks like for the university community. She announced a full action plan slated for completion by the summer of 2026, urging everyone to reflect on how they can “be better, think bigger, foster moments.”

Bernotsky concluded her address by prompting the audience to consider how they will recognize the university’s transition to “awesome.” She quipped, “When you have moved far away and say, West Chester and they know it’s two words outside of Philly and not one word outside of New York.” She illustrated the transformation with an example of recent upgrades, such as the new scoreboard that enhances the game-day experience for sports events, showcasing the university’s commitment to innovation.

As West Chester University embarks on this transformative journey under Bernotsky’s leadership, the focus on community engagement, experiential learning, and a proactive approach may pave the way for a new era of excellence at the institution.