Colleagues,
Welcome to "3, 2, One KU," a weekly memo in which I'll share updates and thoughts for the week ahead. The title of the memo is derived from the format: each edition will include three things to know, two things to share, and one reflection on how our "One KU" initiative is enhancing collaboration across our campuses. I hope you find this weekly communication informative.
Respectfully,
Doug
Three things to know
Developing a One KU strategic framework
At its core, One KU is more than just an alignment of units and operations among our campuses. It’s a mindset. It’s a shared belief that KU is strongest when we align our efforts, learn from one another, and work toward common goals while still honoring the unique strengths of each campus and unit.
We are beginning the next phase of work as One KU by developing a shared, institution-wide strategic framework that will guide how we make decisions, set priorities and collaborate across campuses. This is not about launching a brand new plan. Rather, it’s about building on our strong foundation and creating a clearer, more connected way forward. The framework will intentionally incorporate the most important elements of both the Lawrence campus’ Jayhawks Rising strategic plan and KU Medical Center’s strategic plan. As this new framework takes shape, these earlier plans will be thoughtfully sunset so we can move forward with a single, cohesive approach.
Over the coming months, the KU community will have opportunities to help shape and refine the One KU strategic framework. Your perspectives are essential to ensure it reflects who we are and where we are headed as a university. Details will be shared soon.
KU postdoc wins NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship
Congratulations to Hayley Beltz, a postdoctoral researcher in physics and astronomy, for winning the highly competitive NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship, making her the first KU scientist to receive the prestigious award in its 36-year history. Hayley was chosen for her proposal to analyze the magnetic field of planets beyond our solar system — known as exoplanets. The fellowship will enable her to use data collected from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to further her computer modeling of exoplanetary magnetic fields and their role in shaping planetary atmospheres. Learn more about Hayley and her research.
RSVP for the University Research Awards on April 14
Don’t forget to RSVP for this year’s University Research Awards ceremony, where we will honor the recipients of KU’s top research awards from the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses. The event is open to the entire KU community.
Two things to share
KU Cancer Center’s new bus brings hope on wheels
The University of Kansas Cancer Center and its outreach network, the Masonic Cancer Alliance, have announced a new effort to provide cancer screening throughout the cancer center’s catchment area. Known as HOPE on Wheels: Health Outreach, Prevention and Education, a 42-foot bus will help ensure that geography isn’t a barrier to detecting cancers earlier. Learn more about how the bus will position KU to provide better care, closer to home.
Three KU professors named AAAS fellows
Three KU professors have been elected as 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows, a distinct honor within the scientific community. This year’s fellows are:
- K. Christopher Beard, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Biodiversity Institute and Foundation Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Jianming Qiu, professor of virology
- Michael Wolfe, Mathias P. Mertes Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
AAAS Fellows are among the world’s top scientists, and to have three more University of Kansas researchers named fellows demonstrates KU’s strength as one of the nation’s leading research institutions. Learn more about this year’s fellows.
"One KU"
Enhancements to strategic planning, data management, analytics functions
As part of our ongoing One KU initiative to strengthen alignment across campuses, we are pleased to announce some important changes that bring together our strategic planning, data management, analytics and effectiveness functions.
Corinne Bannon, Chief Strategy & Data Officer and Vice Chancellor, now leads an integrated One KU Analytics, Institutional Research & Effectiveness (AIRE) office, which combines the strengths of the KU Lawrence AIRE team and the former Enterprise Analytics team at the KU Medical Center. As a One KU office, AIRE will serve all KU campuses as the central data, data governance, analytics and effectiveness office, delivering high‑quality services with integrity, respect and excellence.
Additionally, we have launched a new Strategy Office, also under Corinne’s leadership. The Strategy Office will further support our institution-wide strategic alignment and execution. This office will provide guidance, coordination and monitoring of major university priorities, helping us advance key initiatives with clarity and accountability.
Learn more about how these organizational enhancements will benefit our One KU model.