After a two-year planning process, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) has launched its 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, along with a newly refined mission and vision. The plan began on July 1.

“This plan represents the focused aspirations of our School community and provides a roadmap for how we will advance our impact over the next five years,” says Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “It is grounded in our enduring commitment to improving health and well-being while embracing pharmapreneurial opportunities and facing challenges shaping the future of higher education, research, practice, and service.”

The strategic planning process began in 2024 and was intentionally designed to engage voices from across the UMSOP community. Led by the School’s Assessment Committee, the effort included environmental scanning, stakeholder surveys, listening sessions, working groups, and multiple opportunities for feedback and refinement.

“Faculty, staff, students, preceptors, alumni, Board of Visitors members, and partners contributed their perspectives, helping to identify both the strengths that define the School and the opportunities that will propel us forward,” says Michel.

Throughout these conversations, a common theme emerged: the future of health care requires new models of discovery, education, and practice. The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge by combining innovative educational models, scientific excellence, clinical expertise, and pharmapreneurship – the art of turning science and ideas into real, lasting health care solutions.

The result is a strategic plan that builds on the School’s rich history while boldly positioning it for the future.

Guided by this foundation, the strategic plan is organized around five themes that will shape UMSOP’s work through 2031.

2026-2031 Strategic Plan Themes

• Pharmapreneurship – Establishing UMSOP as a national leader in turning ideas and science into transformative health care solutions.
• Educational Excellence – Preparing the next generation of medication experts, clinicians, health scientists, and innovators to thrive in a rapidly evolving health care ecosystem.
• Discovery and Collaboration – Expanding our research and clinical enterprises through interdisciplinary innovation and strategic partnerships.
• Engagement for a Stronger Community – Fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment where faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners can flourish and contribute to our shared mission.
• Strategic Resilience and Growth Opportunity – Building the resources, partnerships, and philanthropic support necessary to sustain excellence and fuel innovation.

Within each theme are ambitious goals and measurable outcomes that challenge the School to think differently, collaborate more broadly, and pursue opportunities that will elevate the School’s impact.

“From educating future pharmapreneurs and launching innovative new academic programs to expanding research collaborations, strengthening community engagement, and completing a transformational philanthropic capital campaign, this plan reflects both our aspirations and our confidence in what we can achieve together,” says Michel.

“Strategic plans don’t succeed because they are written. They succeed because constituents embrace them and work hard to bring them to life. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this process and to those who will help turn these ideas into action over the years ahead.”