BOCA RATON, FL — Florida Atlantic University's plan to open a presence in West Palm Beach, expand its D-Wave quantum computing partnership and climb into the top 75 U.S. public universities by 2031 now has state approval.
The Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida approved "2031FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins," the Boca Raton-based university's five-year strategic plan, on June 26. The plan sets the direction for a university that currently serves more than 32,000 students across campuses in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Davie and Harbor Branch in Fort Pierce.
The plan is built around four strategic imperatives, which the university describes as delivering a return on investment for 100% of its students, discovering solutions for healthier and safer communities, powering the university's rise by maximizing its strategic assets, and elevating the university's prestige.
According to the plan, FAU is targeting a top 75 ranking among U.S. public universities in U.S. News & World Report by 2031 and aims to establish two Centers of Excellence within the same period.
The document sets specific accountability metrics. Total research expenditures would rise from $88.5 million to $114 million. The four-year graduation rate for full-time, first-time-in-college students would move from 56% to 66%. The share of bachelor's graduates who are enrolled or employed earning at least $40,000 would grow from 71.4% to 80.9%.
Research priorities are concentrated in four areas: neuroscience and healthy aging, quantum computing, environmental, ocean and coastal innovation, and national defense and autonomous systems.
The quantum piece leans on a partnership with D-Wave, the quantum computing company now headquartered in Boca Raton. According to the plan, FAU is the first university in Florida to publicly host a large, dedicated quantum computer on site, using a D-Wave Advantage2 annealing system. The plan calls for applying that capability to autonomous systems and defense work through the university's Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence, along with research in materials, computational neuroscience, and finance and business logistics.
The plan also calls for FAU to establish a presence in West Palm Beach, which the document describes as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. It commits to the opening of a new Health Sciences Training & Research Facility to expand the university's medical, nursing and social work programs.
Under the Elevate imperative, the plan positions FAU to serve what it calls the "Wall Street South" business community of asset managers, hedge funds and fintech firms concentrated across South Florida. That includes a new real estate development program combining economics and finance with engineering and science, according to the plan.
The strategic plan also references the upcoming opening of the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building, which the university describes as a premier destination for Holocaust education and human rights scholarship.
"In a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty in higher education, this strategic plan is the roadmap that ensures Florida Atlantic remains 'Where Tomorrow Begins' for all our students," FAU President Adam Hasner said in a statement announcing the approval.
The plan was developed through open forums, listening sessions and written feedback from faculty, students, staff, trustees and community members, according to the university. FAU leadership will report on progress to the Board of Trustees on a semiannual basis, with an annual written report and mid-year dashboard reviews, according to the document.
The full 2026-2031 strategic plan is posted on the university's website.
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