Strategic directions
Bold. Daring. Innovative. Transformative.
About the initiative
Launched in January 2015, Concordia’s Strategic Directions initiative set a vision for becoming a next-generation university. The plan is anchored by nine distinctive strategic directions that map the university’s path forward and support our commitment to equity and sustainability, the foundation of everything we do.
The initiative unfolded in two phases. Phase one engaged the community through speaker series, consultations and working groups, while Phase two supported faculties in creating their own strategic plans and developing institution-wide strategies to achieve Concordia’s next-generation vision.
Nine strategic directions
1 Double our research
Pursue bold goals in research that reflect our talents and our ambition to tackle big challenges
University research drives social and economic progress and attracts the talent that strengthens cities and regions. Over the past decade, Concordia has made significant research gains and is positioned for further growth and greater recognition in key areas. In the years ahead, we aim to secure more external funding, expand our societal impact and more fully integrate research into every student’s learning experience.
2 Teach for tomorrow
Deliver a next-generation education that’s connected, transformative, and fit for the times
Universities must prepare students for a world that will look very different from today. A next-generation education grounds them in strong academic fundamentals while equipping them with the skills needed for the evolving demands of work and civic responsibility. Research-engaged universities with faculty driven by discovery and new ideas are especially well positioned to deliver this.
3 Get your hands dirty
Use rich experiences outside the classroom to deepen learning and effect change
Students who are highly engaged learn more, finish their degrees at higher rates, and achieve better outcomes. Experiential learning through collaborative, real-world projects deepen understanding, builds skills, fosters civic involvement, and boosts career readiness.
4 Mix it up
Build agile structures that facilitate intellectual mixing and internal collaboration
Concordia is rich in ideas and expertise, and by streamlining structures, we can unlock our full collective potential. More agile practices make it easier to create innovative programs at the intersections of disciplines and support stronger collaboration both within the university and with external partners. Reducing barriers to the free flow of ideas fosters a healthier, more dynamic and more magnetic institution.
5 Experiment boldly
Be inventive and enterprising in creating tomorrow’s university
Inspired by bold thinkers in higher education, Concordia will foster a culture of ambitious experimentation. As sites for creating new knowledge, universities should encourage exploring opportunities, testing solutions, and learning from failure, anchored at all times by a strong sense of the academy as a distinctive place for thinking critically and for the public good. Concordia will support ventures that help shape the future of higher education.
6 Grow smartly
Add capacity where our strengths and emerging enrolment demand intersect
As Concordia grows, we must be strategic about where and how. Smart enrolment expansion involves targeting promising program niches, leveraging learning technologies, and aligning faculty expertise with academic offerings. Growth must stay rooted in high-quality learning and requires thoughtful decisions about what to refine, change, or discontinue to make room for new directions.
7 Embrace the city, embrace the world
Achieve public impact through research and learning
Community and public engagement are central to Concordia’s identity. Beyond providing accessible higher education, our faculty, staff and students contribute to the city and the world by mobilizing around pressing issues with their expertise and commitment. By identifying priority areas, building strong partnerships and directing our research and teaching toward key challenges, we can amplify our impact and become a more effective agent of positive change.
8 Go beyond
Push past the status quo and go the extra mile for members of our community
Go beyond is a call to continuous improvement, driven by imagination and pride. It applies to all areas of the university and every role, and challenges us to deliver best-in-class work, anticipate new ideas and evolving needs and prepare for a future where the status quo is never enough, while remaining mindful of the legacy we leave behind.
9 Take pride
Celebrate successes and be purposeful about building a legacy
Concordia is a diverse university with a rich history, shaped by the progressive values of its founding institutions. Today it mirrors Montreal’s diversity and upholds an educational mission grounded in inclusiveness, connection, and social mobility. Honouring this legacy, we work together to build a university for the future, striving for excellence, celebrating achievements, and realizing Concordia’s full potential in a changing postsecondary landscape.
