Betsy Ackerson will serve as project manager for the University of Virginia’s ongoing strategic planning process, Senior Vice Provost J. Milton Adams announced Friday.

Development of the strategic plan, which will guide the University’s operation for years to come, is on track for a draft of the proposal to be presented to the Board of Visitors at the start of the fall semester.

According to Adams, Ackerson will coordinate and support the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, chairs of the work groups and the support staff for the work groups. Her additional responsibilities include creating a communication plan to engage members of the U.Va. community in the planning process and writing and editing drafts of the strategic plan.

“She also will assist in the development of an ongoing process to develop, mature and select new, emerging efforts as part of the University’s commitment to continuous planning.” Adams wrote in an email announcing Ackerson’s hire. 

From 2005 to 2007, Ackerson worked in U.Va.’s Office of the Provost, where she managed the planning and development of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ reaccreditation, coordinated the six-year academic plan consolidated budget and assisted in the creation of new degree programs.

Most recently, she spent three years working on a new venture in Catholic higher education in Ireland.

Other university strategic planning experience includes work on admissions, advancement, brand management, corporate relations, communications and institutional development. Ackerson also has worked in the corporate, nonprofit and public policy arenas. She earned a Ph.D. from U.Va., an M.B.A. from The College of William & Mary Mason School of Business, and A.B. degrees in public policy and Spanish from Duke University.