Closing the Academic Year with Gratitude and Momentum
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we approach the close of the academic year and prepare for Commencement, I want to take a moment to thank you for your dedication to our students and to the University of West Georgia.
This spring also marks the close of my first full academic year as president. It has been a year of learning, collaboration, and steady progress, and I am grateful for the professionalism, care, and commitment you bring to this institution every day.
Celebrating Our Students
Commencement will soon recognize the achievements of our graduates and the collective effort that made those achievements possible. This semester, we are thrilled to have 1,800 Wolves earning their degrees, launching their careers, and contributing to the economic vitality of our region. Whether your work takes place in the classroom, in student support, administration, operations, or behind the scenes, you play a direct role in helping students reach this milestone. Thank you for the care and commitment you bring to that work.
UWG Next: Strategic Planning Ahead
One of our key priorities moving into the next academic year is launching UWG Next, the university's next strategic plan. As I shared last week, UWG Next is grounded in a simple idea: the best plans are built through listening. This process will focus on collaboration and alignment, ensuring that our academic mission, institutional priorities, and resources support student success and long-term sustainability.
Faculty and staff voices will be essential to this work. In the coming months, we will share opportunities for engagement and input as we work together to shape a clear, forward-looking path for UWG.
Budget and Financial Stewardship
As with institutions across the state and nation, UWG continues to operate in a challenging financial environment. We remain focused on responsible stewardship, prioritizing investments that directly support students and academic quality while maintaining fiscal discipline.
As I shared in my message earlier this semester, looking ahead, our budget planning will continue to emphasize transparency, sustainability, and alignment with institutional priorities. This work is essential as we position the university to remain strong and responsive in the years ahead.
Advancing the UWG License Plate Initiative
I am pleased to share continued progress on the UWG specialty license plate, which represents both a visible symbol of pride and a long-term tool for student support. The license plate is now available for only $35 more annually after the first year, with $10 of that funding directly contributing to student scholarships. Secure yours at westga.edu/tag today. Thank you to everyone who has helped champion this effort so far – and supported Dollars for Scholars by securing their specialty plate!
Looking Toward the Coming Year
Across the university, we are building momentum through leadership alignment, strategic planning, and a renewed focus on student success. While there is more work ahead, I am confident in our direction and in our ability to move forward together with clarity and purpose.
As the semester concludes, I encourage you to take some well-deserved time to rest and recharge. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your belief in the mission of the University of West Georgia. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and optimistic about what lies ahead.
Go Wolves!
Mike Johnson
President
University of West Georgia