Despite many accomplishments and a widely-praised system, there remain significant challenges to address in higher education in Virginia: (1) Although the state performs well in six-year graduation rates for bachelor degree programs, graduation rates at specific four-year institutions range from the very high end of the spectrum to the very low; (2) Growing burdens placed on students from the lowest income levels due to rising tuition charges is a public policy matter of great concern; (3) Statewide remediation rates of 18-21% for college freshmen indicate that improvement is needed in the P-12 system; (4) Rising enrollment demands risk loss of students to the public college system, with accompanying loss of access to higher education opportunity; (5) Lack of progress in advancing Virginia's national standing in research; and (6) Continued skill shortages, especially in nursing, teaching, engineering and technology. The intent of this plan is to establish clarity about state priorities, to inform a coordinated system of higher education within which distinctive institutions may operate with a high degree of autonomy, and to serve state and national needs at a high level of quality by focusing on access, alignment and investment. Twelve goals and accompanying strategies are articulated: (1) Enhance Access Through P-16 Curricular Alignment; (2) Enhance Access Through Improved Coordination of Information; (3) Enhance Affordability Through Financial Aid Advocacy; (4) Enhance Affordability Through Education and Investment Incentives; (5) Improve College Readiness Through Strengthened P-16 Cooperation and Communication; (6) Strengthen P-16 Coordination Through Expanded Data Collection and Analysis; (7) Support State Workforce Needs Through Strengthened Participation in Post-Secondary Education; (8) Conduct a Comprehensive Economic Impact Study of Higher Education; (9) Improve Alignment Between Higher Education and the Commonwealth's Workforce Needs; (10) Strengthen Academic Program Quality and Accountability Through Assessment; (11) Enhance Research Through Investment in Targeted Consortia; and (12) Enhance Research Through Investment in Infrastructure.