2035 Strategic Plan
Letter from the President & CEO
As we chart our course for the next decade, I am proud to share a vision rooted in our shared experience as graduates of the United States Military Academy. The 2035 Strategic Plan, Our Enduring Link, calls upon us to deepen our commitment to one another and to West Point—strengthen the bonds that connect us and increase the impact we can achieve together. Our plan reflects our shared belief that the Long Gray Line is not just a legacy but a living, thriving network of service, leadership, and lifelong connections.
At the heart of this plan exists a simple but powerful truth: connection strengthens meaning and impact. Our approach ensures that the graduate remains at the forefront of our decision-making, and understanding your needs and your preferences enables us to deliver relevant, impactful opportunities for engagement. Whether through lifelong friendships, professional collaboration, or shared moments of reflection at our Rockbound Highland Home, the bonds we forge as cadets and graduates, embedded firmly in Duty, Honor, and Country, provide a catalyst for service and the continued strengthening of our nation. This plan builds upon those bonds, expanding connections and deepening our support for the Academy and each other. Together, through our support to the Margin of Excellence, we can enhance the unique environment of the Academy and the experience shared by the Corps of Cadets as they graduate and grip hands with the ever-strengthening Long Gray Line.
We are guided by the belief that service never ends—it evolves. Through this strategy, we will support graduates in the Moments that Matter most and inspire the next generation of West Point graduates. We root our efforts in trust, respect, and a shared sense of purpose. This plan is Inspired by Generations and Built for You!
Thank you for your continued dedication to our alma mater and to each other. Together, we will ensure that our legacy of service and leadership endures for generations to come and that your Association continues to meet the needs of West Point and the Long Gray Line.
Serving West Point and the Long Gray Line. Grip Hands! Go Army! Beat Navy!
Mark D. Bieger ’91
Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
President & CEO
The Link Plan
The Link Plan is designed to deliver graduate-centered experiences in the Moments that Matter.
Purpose, Mission, Guiding Principles
Your Association is guided by the belief that service never ends. It Evolves.
Vision and Action
Seven high-impact initiatives will guide our work over the next decade, placing graduates at the center and reflecting West Point’s values.
The Link Plan Goals
These goals describe how the Association serves graduates, supports the Academy, and invests in the future of the Long Gray Line.
The Link Plan Implementation and Assessment
IMPLEMENTATION: FROM PLAN TO ACTION
The most important aspect of strategy is implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement. The Association will execute this strategy with a deliberate approach, in constant assessment and looking for opportunities that may be present in the years ahead. Ultimately, our north star will remain our mission and vision, and this strategy provides the framework for successful implementation.
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: ESSENTIAL TO STRATEGIC SUCCESS
Effective strategy is dynamic and requires ongoing evaluation, adaptation, and improvement. Continuous assessment ensures that the strategy remains aligned with the organization’s mission and vision, responsive to change, and focused on meaningful outcomes.
- Integrated and aligned: Strategic planning and assessment work together, ensuring evaluation directly informs objectives.
- Data-driven: Reliable, objective data provides the foundation for credible assessment and evidence-based decision-making, focusing on metrics that matter most to the organization’s mission and goals.
- Performance-focused: Evaluate both the implementation and impact of strategies to ensure activities achieve intended results.
- Actionable insights: Assessment uncovers information that guides leadership and operational choices.
- Continuous and automated: Ongoing, real-time evaluation—supported by KPIs, metrics, and automated systems—enables timely feedback and agile responses to changing circumstances.
Expertly crafted KPIs and best-in-class tools allow at-a-glance monitoring of progress toward goals, while long-term data science initiatives reveal trends, future opportunities, and potential challenges. By embedding these principles into operations, the organization ensures its strategy remains effective, adaptive, and forward-looking.
Continuous assessment leads to continuous improvement and forms the backbone of strategic success. By embedding evaluation into every aspect of operations, from alumni engagement to financial stewardship, the organization ensures that it remains effective, relevant, and resilient. As outlined in the Link Plan, this commitment to ongoing assessment empowers leaders to make informed decisions, measure progress, and adapt to the evolving needs of our graduates.
Gripping Hands for the Next Chapter
As we look to the future, the West Point Association of Graduates remains steadfast in its commitment to service, connection, and enduring impact. Guided by the values of Duty, Honor, and Country, we will continue to strengthen the bonds that connect graduates, cadets, and the Academy—fostering a vibrant network rootedin trust and shared purpose. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and a relentless focus on graduate-centered design, we will empower each member of the Long Gray Line to lead, serve, and inspire in the Moments that Matter. Together, we will ensure that our legacy of service and leadership not only endures, but strengthens, increasing “from day to day” our collective impact on West Point, our communities, and our nation for generations to come. Inspired by generations and built for you, our enduring link is the foundation and direction for the future. Go Army! Beat Navy!