The pivot: Inside the USF Strategic Initiatives Task Force

With the rise of reorganization from budgets to curriculum and faculty, the University of St. Francis (USF) President, Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson, announced the creation of a Strategic Initiatives Task Force that would undergo efforts to strengthen USF and build the foundation for a vibrant, sustainable future. This Task Force is composed of three distinct groups that each maintain differing areas of necessity, balancing USF’s Catholic, Franciscan heritage with the harsh financial vitality requirements brought forth in recent events. In that, this Task Force acts as a blueprint for the university’s projection into the future. Yet, this initiative began over two months ago, and no formal information has been made known. So, are there any updates? Any news? While there has been no official statement from the President or other sources regarding this, an in-depth interview with Dr. Anastasios Goulos can shed light on this topic.

As stated in an official email from President Hendrickson on Nov. 12, 2025, this initiative came to fruition after the commencement of a town hall meeting, at which several USF employees and Student Government leaders were in attendance. Within this meeting, it was decided that, off this three-pronged initiative, Sudipta Roy and Annette Jelinek would be co-chairs and the prongs would be populated by USF faculty and staff “to reflect the diversity of our campus community,” according to Hendrickson. These prongs included the Academic Programs & Enrollment Growth Group, the Institutional Organization Group and the Policy Manual Reconsiderations Group. Admittedly, they are unified under the same initiative and agenda. They however differ greatly in their specific target areas.

Of the first groups mentioned, the Academic Programs & Enrollment Growth Group is tasked with exploring the available undergraduate and graduate programs at USF, as well as honors programs, to identify new methods to infuse Franciscan values across disciplines, as stated in a publication made on the university’s official website. In conjunction with this, this group is also aimed at targeting the enhancement of double majors, transfer pathways and student retention. Such an infusion is critical to the university’s foundation and guiding principles, ensuring that every aspect is tailored to its identity of respect, integrity, service and compassion, further suggesting that the task force isn’t just looking at numbers but at the soul of the curriculum.

In the same email from the President, the second group, Institutional Organization, is tasked with the evaluation of the current academic and administrative structuring of USF to ensure that it is reflective of the campus’s size and needs. Furthermore, it ensures that the current system supports students and can maintain fiscal stewardship. 

The final group, Policy Manual Reconsiderations Group, is tasked with reviewing policies and benefits for faculty and staff to promote flexibility, innovation, and long-term financial health. However, despite the clear initiative for change, President Hendrickson has ensured that currently enrolled students will be able to complete the degrees they have registered for.

In an attempt to garner additional information and updates for students about the task forces, multiple staff members were contacted. However, only Dr. Anastasios Goulos chose to comment. According to him, his involvement stems from a direct request by President Hendrickson himself to actively explore university fiscality regarding staff and faculty. In particular, he stated that he and his group were tasked with identifying retirement plans, expenditures, [and] fiscal responsibilities of people who are retired and [at] the university, and assessing accountability. 

In doing this, his team aims to take care of the current staff and faculty members, attempting to secure their longevity. However, this role is extremely delicate, as it pertains to the human aspects of sustainability. Yet, Dr. Goulos emphasizes a legacy perspective that aims to accomplish more than surface-level finances or balancing a ledger. Instead, he opted to ensure that USF remains a sustainable institution on all fronts for years to come.

When asked about any specific updates or accomplishments, Dr. Goulos advised staying posted for official updates from the President, as the recommendations from each group must be fully evaluated before being shared. In the meantime, Dr. Goulos went on to explain the progression of other Task Force Groups and what type of impact his specific initiatives may have, particularly on the faculty and staff members. He stated that each group is pretty much done, in that they have completed their necessary duties and have, or soon will, be submitting finalized recommendations to the President for proper review and consideration. Once an official statement is made, it will be released to the relevant outlets and become known at its readiness. 

When discussing potential impacts that may arise from this announcement, Dr. Goulos insinuated that faculty and staff may be expected to do more than they currently are. He compared it to stepping up to the plate and providing an even better educational experience. While many people on campus do provide exceptional work and dedication already, Dr. Goulos stated that they should not take it personally, citing the ultimate goal present is to serve the stakeholders of the university, who are the students, community, and their families.

Ultimately, this call for increased effort is framed as a necessary sacrifice for collective improvement and longevity. As USF prepares to digest the Task Force Groups' final report, the focus remains on ensuring the growth of the student body as well as the sustainment of its systems.

With all this in mind, the atmosphere around campus is filled with quiet anticipation as many await the official news with such promising backing. While some may have declined to comment for this story, their silence underscores the gravity of the work being done behind closed doors. The date of the grand reveal will mark a pivotal moment for the institution as a whole, where abstract initiatives become finalized recommendations that will shape the daily lives of students, faculty, staff and the community alike.

The initial email received from the administration outlined a long-term vision for institutional stability and vitality. However, as put by Dr. Goulos, achieving these goals suggests a period of transition that may be uncomfortable but ultimately prioritizes collective accountability over personal convenience. Despite these challenges, it is imperative to remain focused on reorganization with further goals of curating a fuller campus network to enhance the overall quality of the environment. While a final verdict is currently awaited, the trajectory of the USF Strategic Initiatives Task Force alludes to a proactive evolution, intending to safeguard the future for many years to come.