UW Oshkosh Chancellor Manohar Singh says the university’s next strategic plan isn’t going to collect dust, and that UWO Infinite will be a living document changing as fast as the world around it.

“It’s not going to be a document on the shelf,” Singh said. “We’ll revisit it every year, so it never becomes irrelevant.”

Singh said a flexible approach will guide the university’s development to best serve the students of today, and that the new plan was born from necessity after institutional and academic restructuring.

“The world around us has changed,” he said. “Our last plan was written for a different moment — we had three campuses, and a deficit. Since then, we solved our deficit and adopted a different academic structure. Today’s reality is different so, our strategy must be too.”

He emphasized UWO’s mission — to serve Wisconsin students and strengthen the regional workforce — remains constant, but said the university must rethink how that mission is carried out.

“The mission isn’t changing,” Singh said. “But how it’s achieved must be financially sustainable.”

Imagining A New Future:

Singh said UWO’s shift from departments to broader academic schools will allow greater flexibility and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We’ve clustered departments into schools so we can be nimble,” he said. “Now philosophy can connect with computer science, or biomedical sciences with engineering.”

He said this structure will help students prepare for a workforce increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence — especially as automation continues to blur professional and disciplinary boundaries.

“AI raises the premium on the human side of technology,” Singh said. “Understanding culture and ethics makes better nurses, better engineers — and better problem solvers.”

Singh calls the initiative UWO Infinite, describing it as a mindset and a promise to stay flexible, forward-looking and community-driven.

“In my first 112 days, I saw the infinite potential of this institution,” he said. “And the infinite passion of alumni, and community partners for our students.”

He described the plan as a dictionary that keeps changing — a living framework that will evolve rather than expire.

“It will never be irrelevant,” Singh said, “because we’ll adapt it to what we need tomorrow.”

At the core of UWO Infinite, Singh said, is a renewed focus on student voices and interdisciplinary learning.

“We want to be as close to student aspirations as possible,” he said. “My job isn’t to replicate my journey — it’s to help you chart your own.”

Singh said the planning process will involve three collaborative layers: a Process Management Group, a steering committee with student government representation and other subcommittees.

“The Process Management Group handles the administrative side,” he said. “The steering committee will craft the words, guided by what students and the larger community envision.”

Subcommittees will have town halls, surveys and host listening sessions to gather all community input possible.

“This is the community’s university,” Singh said. “Everyone who belongs to it — or wants to — has a say in what it becomes.”

Early Community Talks:

Singh said UWO Infinite is already beginning to take form through partnerships beyond campus. One of the most promising is a potential collaboration with Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac.

“We serve the community — we go where students are,” Singh said. “So, we’re exploring offering UW Oshkosh classes at community colleges so students who can’t come to campus can still access UWO instruction.”

Singh said he met with Moraine Park Technical College President Bonnie Baerwald to discuss how the concept could look.

“We identified four or five of the most popular programs that already send students to UW Oshkosh,” Singh said.

“If nursing is one of their popular programs,” Singh said, “we may be able to help those students continue their education where they are.”

He said the collaboration remains in its exploratory stage but aligns with UWO’s goal of extending access and strengthening regional ties following the closures of the two-year campuses.

“We’re just exploring the possibilities,” Singh said. “But we want to respond to what the community needs. My heart lies with Fond du Lac and the Fox Valley. I’d like all students brought into the fold again.”

Singh also said UWO is expanding its accelerated “four-plus-one” programs to help students earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years.

The goal, he said, is to combine the broad foundation of the liberal arts with the professional and technical skills employers demand — all while lowering costs and shortening time to graduation.

“We want students to have a solid grounding in the liberal arts: writing, history and philosophy,” Singh said. “Then, on top of that, we want to give them the professional skills the job market requires — without the burden of two extra years of college.”

“Students can finish with a master’s in five years instead of six,” he said. “That means they enter the workforce earlier and save $40,000 to $60,000.”

As the Strategic Planning Committee launches the first rounds of listening sessions, Singh said the work ahead will remain guided by adaptability and community input.

“We need to be ready for the next generation,” he said. “This plan ensures we always deserve the love and respect our community has for us.”