President’s Letter
Dear Members of The Citadel Community,
As The Citadel’s 21st President, I am eager to lead the college into the development of its next strategic plan—one that will honor our proud history, strengthen our distinctive mission, and help carry The Citadel boldly into its next chapter.
This work matters because strategic planning is ultimately about creating a vision, defining it in actionable, practical terms, and then finding the best way to achieve it. It is about defining how we will continue to educate and develop principled leaders: men and women who can lead in peace and war, in and out of uniform, in public and private ventures. I intend to be deeply engaged, not from a distance, but as an active participant in listening, learning, and working as we imagine what The Citadel can become.
The development of this plan will unfold over the course of the next year through a deliberate, collaborative, and transparent process. There will be many opportunities for meaningful engagement across our campus and extended community. Faculty, staff, cadets, students, alumni, parents, advisory groups, and friends of The Citadel will be invited to bring forward their perspectives, aspirations, and ideas as we define the priorities that will guide our future.
In the months ahead, we will share additional information about the planning timeline, engagement opportunities, and ways to participate. I encourage each member of The Citadel family to lend your voice to this important work. Our future will be strongest when it reflects the insight, commitment, and aspirations of all who care deeply about this institution and the leaders we are called to develop.
Thank you for your dedication to The Citadel and for the many ways you advance our mission each day. I am excited about the journey ahead and confident that, together, we will create a strategic plan that is worthy of our legacy, grounded in our mission, and ambitious for the future we will build together.
Semper Fi and Go Dogs.
Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. ‘79
General, USMC (Retired)
President
Strategic Initiatives
Academic Programs & Curriculum
Elevate academic excellence through rigorous, experiential, and career-integrated programs that connect discovery to real-world impact.
Reputation, Brand & Enrollment
Strengthen The Citadel’s national reputation by unifying its brand to attract an increasingly competitive applicant pool, and establishing the institution as the nation’s premier leadership college.
Leadership Development
Distinguish the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and The Citadel as the nation’s model for principled, service-minded, and adaptive leadership development.
Al, Cyber & Technology
Advance the Citadel as the pre-eminent college in the nation in Al, Cyber, and Computing.
Operations, Efficiency & Financial Resilience
Drive institutional excellence by strengthening financial stability through bold fundraising, revenue growth, and operational efficiencies—building a $1B endowment.
Athletics & Athletic Facilities
Compete successfully within the Southern Conference by advancing student-athlete excellence.
Campus Infrastructure & Facilities
Develop a modern campus environment that advances learning, innovation, and institutional excellence.
People & Workplace
Champion an exceptional workforce by recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding faculty and staff.
Student Success & Career Readiness
Prepare every cadet and student for lifelong success through an integrated experience that connects education, leadership and character development, and career readiness.
Community & External Engagement
Engage the state’s cultural, economic, and civic life through public service, workforce partnerships, and high-impact collaboration.