Advancing Excellence - A Stategic Plan for the University of Mount Union

8/7/2019 Advancing Excellence - A Stategic Plan for the University of Mount Union

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Advancing Excellence

A Strategic Plan or the University o Mount Union


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From its earliest beginnings

as a school in an old

Carding Mill to the modern

campus o today, the

University o Mount Union

has continually advanced.

Founder Orville NelsonHartshorn oten reerred to

Mount Union as a cosmic

institution or the people.

His orward thinking and

desire to progress laid

a strong oundation or

Mount Unions continued

evolution while establishinga tradition o an educationa

experience that is grounded

in mission and the liberal

arts philosophy.


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Advancing ExcellenceA Strategic Plan or the University o Mount Union

The Mission of the University of Mount UnionThe mission o the University o Mount Union is to prepare students or

ullling lives, meaningul work, and responsible citizenship.

The Vision of the University of Mount Union for 2015In 2015, the University o Mount Union will be a deliberately dynamic private university o 2,500 students,

comprised o 90 percent undergraduate students and 10 percent graduate students.

Our increasingly-diverse community will be enriched by challenging academic programs and an attractive

campus, predominantly residential in nature, that will eature remarkable grounds and rst-class acilities.

We will be known or oering a relevant broad-based and career-specic curriculum, ensuring that

our students are prepared or career and personal success. Academic program expansion will primarily come

in the way o high-demand graduate programs and undergraduate majors aligned with the healthcare eld

that will ll societal needs while maintaining our rm commitment to a strong academic program that is

grounded in the liberal arts tradition. All the while, students will thrive in an environment that osters

one-on-one personal attention and appreciates an optimal student-aculty ratio o approximately 14:1.

The excellence o our programs and proven success o our students upon graduation will broaden awareness

o the institution. As a result, increased alumni loyalty and public recognition will garner support at the

highest levels, ensuring continued scal and sustainable responsibility.


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Develop a Curriculum

for the Future

Key objectives:

Strengthenandrevisethe

general education curriculum

Expandgraduateprograms

Identifyandimplement

strategic additions or

modications to the

undergraduate program with aocus on high-demand health

care programs

Enhancetheneartsprogram

Increaseopportunities

or research and scholarly

accomplishment

Increaseopportunitiesfor

experiential learning

Designandgrowonline

oerings


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Develop a Curriculum for the FutureA key characteristic o the intimate, private university setting is the ability to adapt more quickly to a chang

ing environment. The challenging economy, shiting demographics and continual technological advance-

ments evident in todays global society are orcing us in private higher education to transorm our ways.

At Mount Union, our continued ability to adjust and remain fexible in our quest to meet the emerging

needs o students and arm them or success in the 21st century will be critical to our uture success. Wemust continue to oster a learning environment in which students are ully engaged and where their intel

lectual development is measured by their ability to think critically, communicate eectively, serve compa

sionately and lead ably. Our promise to provide well-rounded exposure also necessitates a ocus on equip

ping students with the skills that pilot career success and urther study. All the while, we must be primed

to oer a pertinent and pliable curriculum that will prepare students or the yet-to-be-discovered career

elds o our ever-evolving world.

The proessional world requires

college graduates that are

versed in their specialized elds,but also skilled as critical think-

ers, eective communicators

and able leaders. To ensure that

our graduates are equipped or

success in todays world, Mount

Union will ortiy its general edu-

cation curriculum by creating

a distinctive program that will

serve as a model or innovation

and exploring creative new

methods o delivery including

alternatives to the three-credit-

hour system and the possibilityo a January term.

In an eort to continue toward

comprehensive university status

while nourishing the institu-

tions oundation in the liberal

arts, we will oster the expansion

o quality graduate programs.

Concurrently, a commitment to

identiying and implementing

strategic additions or modi-

cations to the undergraduate

program will drive a curriculumthat continually meets the

changing needs o our society

through the addition o innova-

tive mission-compatible majors,

elevation o programs primed

or growth and prestige and

alteration o existing oerings.

The Universitys robust and

relevant academic oerings will

serve an enrollment comprised

o 90 percent undergraduate

students and 10 percent gradu-

ate students while oering the

theoretical appreciation and

practical preparation vital tosuccess in our rapidly-changing

world.

Integral to Mount Unions

academic development will be

an intentional ocus on high-

demand health care programs

at both the undergraduate and

graduate level ullling one o

societys greatest needs. These

programs will provide great

synergy with the our already

ourishing programs in health-related disciplines and the natu-

ral sciences and will reinorce

our commitment to education

or the 21st century. Growth

in health-related academic

programming also will allow us

to capitalize on the tremendous

opportunities or collaboration

that exist with area health-care

providers o national, regional

and local acclaim such as the

Cleveland Clinic, University Hos-

pitals, Akron Childrens Hospital,

Aultman Hospital, Mercy Medi-

cal Center and Alliance Commu-

nity Hospital.

A revised and distinguished

core curriculum and academic

program, developed to meet

the shiting needs o our 21st

century world, will continue

to provide the well-rounded

exposure that has long-been a

hallmark o the Mount Union

experience. With a solid ounda-

tion in the liberal arts, this corehas historically included the ne

arts as a vital component. In

reverence to this tradition and

in accordance with our mission,

the University pledges to revital-

ize the ne arts program.

At the heart o all o these

enhancements will be an insti-

tutional ocus on nurturing an

intellectual climate that values

heightened levels o scholarly

accomplishment and challeng-ing research. To acilitate such

in-depth orms o study, we

are committed to developing

a vigorous and comprehen-

sive Honors Program, creating

opportunities or students to

pair with aculty members or

investigation and oering out-

lets to showcase and celebrate

the results o these demanding

endeavors.

Parallel to these challenging

academic endeavors will be

a deliberate eort to expose

100 percent o our students to

experiential learning initiatives.

Through involvement in thriving

study abroad, internship and

service-learning programs, our

students will develop an overall

appreciation or our global

society and its demands and

challenges. And, in a day where

nearly ever career eld callsor civic and global engage-

ment, they will simultaneously

broaden their prociencies in

their respective proessions.

As the demands o our evolv-

ing society call or pliability

and a willingness to adapt, the

requirements o todays colleg

bound students and their ami

lies are ocused on convenienc

and efciency. In response to

the ever-changing needs o students, Mount Union will strate-

gically design and grow quality

online oerings as an initial ste

toward other uture possibilitie

We have experimented with

summer online courses as well

as hybrid oerings and will in-

tentionally evaluate the succes

o such programs in an eort to

determine the continued role

that online education will play

in our uture.


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Foster An Engaging

Campus Community

Key objectives:

Continuethetransformationof

student housing

Expandrecreation,gatheringand eating spaces

Broadenthereachofthe

cultural and ne arts programs

SupporttheDivisionIII

student-athlete

Createanenvironmentthat

encourages alumni-student

interaction


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Foster An Engaging Campus CommunityAt the heart o all we do at University o Mount Union is a drive to oster an exceptional experience that enhances stu-

dent personal growth and well-being. As a predominately residential campus, we are uniquely capable o assuring that

learning extends beyond the classroom. Educating the whole person mind, body and spirit has long been central to

the essence o the Mount Union culture, and our community eel has been a steadast quality and historical hallmark.

At Mount Union, we are committed to creating a campus environment that moves our students along in their journeys

toward independence, immersing them in a supportive and encouraging, yet challenging haven that is aestheticallypleasing, stimulating, inviting and sae. Exceptional opportunities or leadership development, social responsibility and

spiritual growth will guide them as they seek and solidiy a sense o sel in preparation or their roles in our global soci-

ety. From housing and gathering spaces to cultural and wellness experiences, Mount Unions transormational campus

lie is designed to elevate our students rom adolescence to autonomy.

Mount Union is commit-

ted to aording a priceless

experience to each and every

student, oering guidance andexpert counseling throughout

the journey to independence,

and our residential housing

plays a signicant role in map-

ping the course. The Universi-

ty pledges to enhance student

satisaction by ensuring that

80 percent o undergraduates

can nd comort in high-qual-

ity student housing. This will

include completing additional

independent-style options

on campus and reducing the

number o students residing in

small houses. In addition, we

will investigate opportunities

or graduate student housing

to meet the unique needs and

expectations o these adult

learners.

Todays undergraduate and

graduate students are not only

concerned with where they

will sleep, but variety o op-tions or dining and socializing

also top their lists o expecta-

tions. Thus, Mount Union

pledges to augment its recent

eorts to create a relevant

24/7 campus with supple-

mental recreation, study and

gathering spaces and resh

approaches to the dining

experience.

By broadening the reach o

cultural and ne arts pro-

grams, Mount Union also can

nourish the whole person

and urther engage the

members o the campus com-

munity. We are committed

to enhancing the ne arts on

campus, thus providing all oour students with exceptional

opportunities or engagement

in artistic, musical and theatri-

cal endeavors that rival or ex-

ceed those oered by compar-

ative institutions. In addition

to providing or exploration

and the unveiling o new ideas

and concepts, such programs

embody the signicance o the

well-rounded student experi-

ence or which Mount Union

is known. The outreach o

these endeavors also extends

beyond the borders o cam-

pus as we seek to serve and

be recognized as the cultural

center o the greater Alliance

community.

The University is also recog-

nized or the successes o our

intercollegiate athletic teams

and our student-athletes who

excel both in competitive

play and in the classroom. In

accordance with the Division

III philosophy, Mount Union

supports student-athletes

in their eorts to reach high

levels o athletic perormance,

which includes striving or

conerence championships

and or NCAA regional and

national tournament par-ticipation. All teams need to

be provided with adequate

acilities, competent coaching

ample resources or recruiting

and appropriate competitive

opportunities1. In addition,

the University osters an

athletic program that sets a

high standard or academic

achievement and prepares its

participants or a lietime o

leadership.

A broadened cultural and ne

arts program and tradition o

athletic aptitude contribute

to a sense o community and

institutional pride, engaging

our students on campus and

integrating their experiences

with those o alumni who

came beore them. Through

these and other collaborative

experiences, Mount Union

will intentionally create anatmosphere o vibrancy and

eervescence that will unite

our students and alumni as

they share an excitement or

the uture while paying tribut

to the past.

1Excerpts taken rom 2010-11

NCAA Division III Manual, Divi-

sion III Philosophy Statement,

page vii.


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Manage Strategic

Enrollment Growth

Key objectives:

Establishandachievestrategic

enrollment levels

Buildstrategicpipelinesforrecruitment

Increasetraditional

undergraduate retention and

graduation rates

Secureanappropriatesegment

o the transer market


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Manage Strategic Enrollment GrowthDemographic predictions or northeast Ohio, coupled with heightened competition or traditional students and a chal-

lenging economy, suggest a less than exceptional picture or the uture o private higher education. Some institutions

will alter, while those poised or optimization and planned growth will ourish as a result o their adaptable natures an

innovative strategies.

Key to Mount Unions uture viability is an allegiance to dene an appropriate growth ormula that will establish a solid

oundation or our nancial stability and provide or mission-essential resources. It also will be crucial to eectivelyconvey the priceless value o an investment in the Mount Union experience. The current climate in higher education w

present challenges or growth, but by raising the bar or recruitment and retention and establishing new quality under-

graduate and graduate programs with market draw, the University will emerge as a beacon o excellence and innovatio

Mount Union will achieve an

enrollment o 2,500 by 2015,

with the majority o growth

stemming rom the addition

o new and attractive mission-

compatible undergraduateand graduate programs o the

highest academic caliber. Our

student body will be com-

prised o 90 percent under-

graduate students and 10

percent graduate students.

An integral component o our

growth plan at Mount Union

will be an innovative pipe-

line strategy o recruitment.

This deliberate approach will

emerge rom the identicationand implementation o novel

or untapped channels through

which prospective students

may become engaged with

the University. Such pipelines

may include academic pro-

grams, extracurricular activi-

ties, new athletic opportuni-

ties and specic geographic

locations.

The recruitment o new stu-

dents alone will not give us an

edge in our quest to grow en-

rollment. The institution must

provide an environment rich

with encouragement, chal-

lenge and opportunity so that

students are enticed to remain

at Mount Union, experience

all that we have to oer and

progress assiduously toward

the earning o their degrees.

Thus, the University is commit-

ted to increasing traditional

undergraduate retention

rates between the reshman

and sophomore years to 82

percent (approximately a 5

percent increase) as well as

ve-year graduation rates to

65 percent (approximately a 3

percent increase).

In addition, Mount Union will

secure an appropriate por-

tion o the transer market by

creating mission-appropriate

program-to-program articula

tion agreements and transer

opportunities with two-year

institutions and other highereducation partners. In today

society, students may be pro-

pelled to attend such college

by nancial reasons, exible

schedules or career choice.

However, in the current com-

petitive job market, many un-

dergraduates soon realize the

importance o continuing the

educations to earn our-year

degrees. Thereore, such col-

laborative agreements, when

collectively ostered by therespective academic program

o each higher education pro

vider, can serve as an invalu-

able resource to students and

the institutions acilitating th

arrangements.

Strategic growth will be vital

to our capacity to prosper in

the uture, however it will not

come at the expense o invalu

able student-aculty interac-

tion, a hallmark that is at the

heart o the Mount Union

experience. The Universitys

student-aculty ratio (current

14 to 1) will continue to be se

at an optimal level to ensure

the preservation o such price

less and cherished relation-

ships.


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Ensure the

Sustainable

Management of

Resources

Key objectives:

DesignamodernCampus

Master Plan including

commercial development

opportunities on the

perimeters o campus

Launchafocusedfund-raising

campaign

EngageMountUnionalumniof

all generations

Developacompetitive

salary and benets plan

that recognizes outstanding

achievement

Serveasaleaderinthehigher

education sustainability

movement


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Ensure the Sustainable Management of

ResourcesAt a time during which the economy is aecting everyone, Mount Union has been ortunate to have a history o

strength, providing us with the assets and the energy to be proactive in the coming years. Our adept management o

all resources has resulted in an unprecedented ve decades o consecutive balanced nancial operations, with manage

able debt, as well as a solid scal reputation. It has also allowed our generous contributors to view their support o theinstitution as a prudent and advantageous investment in the uture.

In an eort to continue this tradition and urther elevate the student educational experience, Mount Union pledges to

direct attention to strategic und-raising goals, cultivate meaningul partnerships with alumni and riends and develop

deeper appreciation or our aculty and sta. Stewarding the physical campus will be at the oreront o these eorts as

well, with a ocus on the acquisition o new properties and building initiatives that conrm our commitment to sustain-

ability leadership.

As we plan or the uture, a

modern Campus Master Plan

will guide us in our eorts to

prioritize the projects that will

lead to a truly integrated com-

munity. Seamless connections

between academic, co-curricu-

lar and residential experiences

will emerge through endeavors

including an essential perorm-

ing arts center, high-quality

campus housing and additional

space dedicated to gathering

and community building. Aswe commit to the continued

renewal o campus, we highly

anticipate seeking opportuni-

ties to enhance our perimeters

through commercial develop-

ment enterprises and partner-

ships. Such endeavors could

provide or additional revenue

streams while allowing essential

businesses restaurants, retail

outlets and other establish-

ments commonly ound in a

college town to ourish. Moreimportantly, the rejuvenation o

these areas will directly impact

and enhance the experiences

o our students through the

transormation o their environ-

ment.

The identication o prioritized

projects through this campus

master planning process will

provide the pathway or uture

und-raising needs, resulting in

the launch a ocused und-rais-

ing campaign that will build on

the strong oundation aorded

by the recently-completed

Drive or Distinction. This new

endeavor will provide essential

nancial strength and ensure

the implementation o the ini-

tiatives and objectives dened

within this plan. One o the key

components o this campaign

will be the exploration o the

establishment and naming o

schools or individual disciplinesthat will provide critical unding

or such programs.

Vital to the success o any insti-

tution or und-raising campaign

is the support and generosity

o engaged alumni, and we

are privileged to have a strong

core o dedicated and involved

graduates among our 13,000

degree holders living across

the nation and throughout the

world. Eliciting their increasedparticipation in relevant alumni

programming and enhancing

communication to oster their

connection to the institution

will allow us to urther strength-

en ties with this ever-important

group. To leverage alumni

commitment, Mount Union will

create unique and inventive

opportunities or support in the

areas o career development

and new student recruitment.

Creating and maintaining

Mount Unions physical cam-

pus beautiul, dynamic and

dignied is no small eat. Yet,

the University is so much more

than bricks and mortar. Our

distinguishing characteristic is

our people, and the dedicated

members o our aculty and

sta are our most critical assets

or continued growth and suc-

cess. The ability to recruit and

retain the nest community

members is paramount. There-ore, Mount Union will develop

and implement a competitive

salary and benets plan that

will recognize outstanding

achievement.

As uture campus plans are

implemented, Mount Unions

commitment to serving as a

leader in the higher educa-

tion sustainability movement

will not diminish. Guided by

a progressive and challeng-ing Sustainability Plan, we will

continue to build with LEED

standards as the norm while

providing education and aware-

ness on sustainable practices;

incorporating green principles

into our operations, adminis-

tration and nancial structure;

and carrying out the denitive

actions o the accompanying

Climate Action Plan.

As we plan or the uture, we

will continue to respect our his

torical tradition o living within

our means and balancing our

operational budget. Since

the mid-1950s, Mount Union

has budgeted and operated

conservatively while advancin

the institutions eorts to grow

and change as necessary. As

we develop and implement ou

strategic and campus master

plans, we will incorporate a

exible strategy that allows usto unction within a range o

nancial environments, whethe

good or bad. We will develop

short-term and long-term

planning models that evaluate

new and existing programs an

commit to optimal resource

utilization and eective cost

management, all to ensure ou

scal responsibility and balanc

our operating budget in the

years to come.


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Enhance the Diversity

of Our CampusCommunity

Key objectives:

Fosteraninclusivecampus

environment

IncreasethenumberofU.S.

minority and international

students

IncreaseU.S.minorityretentionand graduation rates

Increasethenumberoffull-

time U.S. minority, emale and

international aculty

Increasestudentexposureto

intercultural experiences

Createnewintercultural

opportunities or aculty and

sta


13/18

Enhance the Diversity of Our Campus

CommunityOur students abilities to thrive in the global nature o our 21st century world will be dependent on our power as an inst

tution to expose them to diverse cultures, ideas and opportunities. In essence, we must evolve as a uniquely-diverse an

culturally-supportive community to ensure the enrichment o the educational experience, promotion o personal grow

and encouragement o critical thinking.

At Mount Union, diversity is broadly conceptualized to include international and national dierences as well as group

distinctions (ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability and political and religious afliations) and individual characteris-

tics (learning styles and personalities). Such diversity and inclusion ultimately oster an educational climate character-

ized by variety o thought and evoke poignant discussions that highlight an array o viewpoints, assumptions, values an

perceptions. In sum, diversity is an essential component o academic excellence that leads to a richer understanding o

the issues that shape our world and an intrinsic appreciation o the value o all people.

An intentional and aggressive

eort to champion diversity othought will be at the oreront

o Mount Unions eorts. We

will oster a campus climate

where all o our students,

aculty and sta are included

and supported. Students o

diverse backgrounds, opinions

and liestyles will thrive in an

atmosphere o acceptance,

and all o our students will

ourish as they develop a

deeper understanding o and

appreciation or the uniqueand varied acets o the world.

To ensure a diverse campus

environment at Mount Union,

we must evolve into a com-

munity that is rich in diversity

reective o our locality, region

and state. An essential part

o this transormation is our

unwavering commitment to

recruit students and aculty

rom diverse backgrounds.

The institution will increasethe number o U.S. minority

and international students un-

til they represent a minimum

o 15 percent o the student

body and heighten U.S. minor-

ity retention and graduation

rates so that they mirror

overall institutional averages.

Additionally, we will grow the

number o ull-time U.S. minor-

ity, emale and international

aculty to mirror that o our

student body.

Mount Unions pledge to

enhance the diverse nature o

our environment is coupled

with an institutional promise

to provide opportunities or

students and aculty to explore

the world ar beyond our cam-

pus borders. At a minimum,

we vow to expose 25 percent

o our graduating class to an

intercultural experience such

as traditional study abroad,

short-term cultural immersion

experiences led by aculty,

internships or service-learnin

projects throughout the worl

or in diverse settings within

the United States or study at

an historically Black college

or university. Similarly, globa

experiences or aculty and

sta will become institutiona

priorities.


14/18

Broaden the Visibility

and Reputation of the

Institution

Key objectives:

Embarkonaninstitutional

positioning and brandclarication eort

Emphasizethevalueand

benets o becoming


Leveragetheoutcomesand

value o a Mount Union

education

Developacutting-edgeweb

presence

PositionMountUnionfacultyas experts in their disciplines

CommunicatetheUniversitys

commitment to diversity eorts


15/18

Broaden the Visibility and Reputation of the

InstitutionThe University o Mount Unions standing in higher education is well-established and improving, yet the ability to shape

and share the unique and compelling stories o our exceptional student experience has never been more critical. Col-

lege-bound students and their amilies demand conrmation that they will realize a return on their higher education

investments, and it is through the revelation o brilliant student and alumni outcomes that an appreciation or the valueo a Mount Union education will emerge.

At Mount Union, we are committed to a strategic and research-based marketing approach that will elevate our reputa-

tion and extend our reach in terms o visibility and exposure. Once we own our own backyard, we will be poised to be

come a regional orce and extend our reach to a national stage through the promotion o programs and people primed

or such acclaim.

The need or positioning and

branding at Mount Union has

been a recurring concern,and marketing emerged as

one o our top opportunities

during the strategic planning

process. Thus, we will embark

on a brand clarication and

positioning eort that will

result in a strategic marketing

approach or the uture and

unite the campus community

around a central, distinguish-

ing message that will be deliv-

ered consistently over time.

As Mount Union moves or-

ward with the implementation

o the university designation,

it will be critical to eectively

and thoroughly communi-

cate the value and benets o

this transition while remain-

ing genuinely and actively

concerned about the thoughts

and opinions o the members

o the Mount Union communi-

ty. To alleviate uncertainties, itwill be essential to emphasize

that the enduring characteris-

tics we all cherish will continue

to be hallmarks o the Mount

Union experience. As a univer-

sity, we will remained ocused

on attracting quality students

and aculty, providing a sense

o community, ostering

student-aculty interaction and

ocusing on a well-rounded

education combined with the

practical experience critical tocareer success.

The positioning and brand

clarication eort, coupled

with the transition to the


name, provides a unique

platorm rom which to tell

our distinctive and compelling

story to an ever-expanding

group o people. By leverag-

ing the outcomes o a Mount

Union education, we have anopportunity to highlight our

academic vibrancy, strong

aculty and student relation-

ships, commitment to a liberal

arts oundation with practical

preparation and exceptional

value as a higher education

provider.

A key component o this

positioning and branding

strategy is the development

o an innovative and interac-

tive web presence that will

attract prospective students,connect alumni and enhance

communication to the campu

community. Through the es-

tablishment o a cutting-edge

website, comprehensive socia

media strategy and organized

e-mail outreach eort, we wil

establish an inventive model

or electronic communication

in higher education.

We also have an opportunity

to set ourselves apart rom

the crowd by positioning our

aculty members as experts in

their respective elds to our

external audiences. Through

the reemergence o Mount

Unions Experts Guide, stra-

tegic media relations strate-

gies, specialized advertising

options and engagement wit

local communities and civic

organizations, aculty will be

aorded outlets or the shar-ing o knowledge, exchange

o ideas and celebration o

research. Similarly, by stra-

tegically communicating the

Universitys commitment to

diversity eorts, we can urth

distinguish Mount Union as

an institution committed to

meaningul discussions, cul-

tural exploration and a desire

to understand o our global

society


16/18

The Process

for Planning

In recent years, and in light

o the current challenging

environment that is higher

education, it has become ap-

parent that planning or the

uture must be a priority. It is

imperative to set a course orthe uture that includes a clear

and common vision or the

years to come. In an eort to

launch this process at Mount

Union, the University has part-

nered with Perorma Higher

Education and embarked on

a comprehensive yet efcient

strategic planning process.

During this process, much

inormation was gathered romall o Mount Unions constitu-

ent groups, including trustees,

aculty, sta, current students,

alumni, donors, prospective

students, parents and members

o the Alliance community.

Through ocus groups, surveys

and additional eedback ses-

sions, Mount Unions strengths,

weaknesses and opportunities

were identied. (A summary

o this data can be ound on

iRaider at portal.mountunion.

edu and the raw data is avail-

able in the Kolenbrander-

Harter Inormation Center on

library-closed reserve.)

Ater careul review o the data

and consideration on the part

o the Imagine Mount Union

Steering Committee, it was

clear the six strategic initiatives

that have guided our eorts

throughout the past ve years

were still very much relevant in

regard to our current planning

eorts. The development o a

new plan or the uture stems

rom these six initiatives:

Developacurriculumforthe uture

Fosteranengagingcampus

community

Managestrategic

enrollment growth

Ensurethesustainable

management o resources

Enhancethediversityofour

campus community

Broadenthevisibilityand

reputation o the institution

These initiatives have served

the institution well, and they

have guided our strategic

planning process with input

rom the research phase

dictating when additional

initiatives or revisions to thecurrent initiatives were neces-

sary or the uture. It was also

through our research eorts

that we began to see potential

objectives emerge within each

o these strategic areas.

A large part o the strategic

planning process is to evalu-

ate potential objectives or

the uture to determine what

the institution can and should

successully accomplish in

the years to come as well as

what may not be possible

or a variety o reasons. In an

eort to make these critical

decisions, the Imagine Mount

Union Steering Committee

used the ollowing strategic

planning analysis diagram to

evaluate objectives based on

three critical components ou

mission and values, an interna

environmental analysis and an

external environmental analys

and also to clearly identiy

objectives that support areas

greatest leverage or the utur

The ideas and input oered

during the research-gathering

phase were examined through

the lens o this strategic plan-

ning analysis diagram and

broad objectives emerged

within each o the six strategic

initiatives. Many o the objec-

tives o the plan all within area

o greatest leverage or Mount

Union, meaning that they all

within all three o the broad

planning areas. They are mis-

sion critical, while also emerg-

ing in our internal and externa

environmental analyses.

For example, the addition o

new and relevant health care

The Workthat Follows

The demands o tomorrow re-

quire us to be entrepreneurial

today, and careul planning will

prepare the University to prog-

ress orward and rmly secure

viability or the years to come.

These objectives identied

in Advancing Excellence A

Strategic Plan or the University

o Mount Union provides a

general ramework or specic

planning eorts within each

initiative. These specic eorts

will come in the orm o annual

action plans developed by

those members o the campus

community with responsibility

or carrying out the objectives

within each strategic initia-

tive. As these action plans are

developed, consideration or

the resources necessary tocarry out the plan and proes-

sional development needs

demanded by the objectives

themselves will be critical.

Essentially, the initiatives and

objectives included in Advanc-

ing Excellence A Strategic

Plan or the University o

Mount Union are those o the

entire Mount Union com-

munity. They derived directly

rom data ueled by the inputo our trustees, alumni, donors,

aculty, sta, students and

riends, and they clearly il-

lustrate our commitment to

pressing orward. They urther

exempliy our desire to oster

what is already outstanding to

ensure an even more excep-

tional uture or the institution

as a whole, and more impor-

tantly or our students who are

at the heart o our existence.Very simply, we will realize a

Mount Union that is relent-

lessly relevant and deliberately

dynamic one that transorms

lives with a personal and pro-

active approach that is driven

by our mission and nurtured

by our people. Advancing Ex-

cellence A Strategic Plan or

the University o Mount Union

will unite the campus com-

munity around this clear and

powerul vision and urtherenhance our current position

o strength to truly create an

institution that inspires young

minds or engagement in our

21st century world.

In the months and years that

ollow, the Imagine Mount

Union Steering Committee,

comprised o the members o

AQIP and Presidents Council,

will steward the plan and as-sist in clearing obstacles that

will inhibit its success. The

team will meet regularly to

review the key objectives o

each strategic initiative and

receive updates rom campus

representatives to discuss

implementation progress.

New developments and data

that would alter the plan will

be brought to the steering

committee members or thei

review and insight. Given theclose connection between

strategic planning and contin

uous improvement at Mount

Union and the dual role serve

by the members o AQIP, wor

or both eorts will be aligne

whenever possible and com-

pleted with an appreciation

the necessary work and vital

purpose o each on campus.


17/18

1

University Mission

and Values

3

External Environmental

AnalysisSocial,political,economicforces

(global and local)

Educational-specicgoals

Opportunitiesandthreats

2

Internal Environmental

AnalysisPersonnel

Facilities

Programs

Currentstrengthsandweaknesses

4

Area of

Greatest

Leverage

Strategic Planning Analysis

Diagram courtesty o Dr. Larry Shinn, president o Berea College

Used in the course o Berea Colleges strategic planning eforts

programs would be a leverag-

ing move or the institution.

These programs are denitely

mission and values compat-

ible. In regard to the internal

environment, our current

strengths in terms o science

and health-related programs,

as well as the addition o a new

graduate program in physician

assistant studies, have set thestage or uture growth in this

area. Bracy Halls state-o-the-

art acilities and the current

expertise o our aculty also

create an environment that is

rich or health-related growth.

In addition, there is no doubt

that there is a great demand in

the external environment or

qualied and caring health-

care proessionals. Thereore,

they are leveraging or us as

an institution because they aremission-compatible, a good t

or our campus environment

and in demand in our society.

Other tangible examples o

recent leveraging moves or

the institution include new pro-

grams in civil and mechanical

engineering, online and hybrid

course exploration and our e-

orts in regard to sustainability.

However, not all strategic

objectives included in the plan

will be leveraging in nature.

Some are operational neces-

sary to turn around a currentperceived weakness or address

an identied opportunity or

threat. Others may be neces-

sary to meet societal needs

and demands, all uture objec-

tive will at least meet the most

critical component o the anal-

ysis diagram our mission and

values. Our unyielding desire

to remain true to our mission

to prepare students or mean-

ingul work, ullling lives

and responsible citizenship

will continually challenge the

institution to remain relevant

and dynamic, thus we must

plan to be agile and proactive.

In act, some objectives o the

plan are included primarily

because they are necessary to

maintaining our strong oun-

dation in the liberal arts. It is

this liberal arts oundation that

most critically prepares our

students, not only or ullling

lives and responsible citizen-

ship, but also provides them

with the adaptability required

in todays world o work.

Looking to

the Future

No one can predict the uture

but we know that inevitably

there will be challenges on th

horizon in higher education.

Changing demographics, a

turbulent economy and a pro

lieration o higher education

options will remain issues to

overcome. The past ew year

have proven to be reward-

ing at Mount Union, but werecognize the risks o resting

on our laurels. By taking a pr

active approach and charting

a course or the uture, Moun

Union will be better poised to

meet these challenges head

on. Advancing Excellence A

Strategic Plan or the Uni-

versity o Mount Union is a

compass or the journey that

lies ahead.


18/18

Learning GoalsTo ulll the mission o the uni-

versity, learning goals provide

direction or all components

o the undergraduate student

experience. The general edu-

cation curriculum, major, and

other curricular and extracur-

ricular experiences all contrib-

ute to assist the undergradu-

ate students with ullling

learning goals in the ollowing

ve categories:

I. CoreAbilities

A. Demonstrate ability

to acquire and assess

inormation.

B. Demonstrate research

skills (both quantitative

and qualitative).

C. Develop ability to thinkcritically.

D. Develop ability to think

creatively.

E. Develop communication

skills.

II. FoundationalKnowledge

andIntegration

A. Acquire knowledge in

humanities, arts and

sciences.

B. Demonstrate the use o

concepts and methodsin humanities, arts, and

sciences.

C. Develop the ability to

view the world rom

multiple disciplinary

perspectives.

D. Integrate knowledge

and techniques across

multiple disciplines.

AppendixIII.PreparationforMeaningful

Work

A. Acquire discipline

specic knowledge

and skills needed at a

proessional level.

B. Demonstrate use o

discipline specic

knowledge and skills.

C. Integrate discipline

specic knowledge and

abilities with multiple

disciplinary perspectives.

D. Develop ability tocollaborate with others

to solve problems.

IV.PreparationforFullling

Lives

A. Acquire the tools or

sel-development in

order to assess and

improve physical, social,

emotional, intellectual,

and spiritual growth and

ll

B. Find and cultivate

intellectual pursuits.

C. Find and cultivate

pursuits or personal

enrichment.

V. Preparationfor

Responsible Citizenship

A. Develop knowledge

and appreciation o the

individuals culture and

other cultures in a glob

context.

B. Understand andemploy ethics within

diverse cultural,

social, proessional,

environmental and

personal settings.

C. Demonstrate civic

engagement by active

involvement in and

beyond the classroom.

Documents

Advancing Excellence - A Stategic Plan for the University of Mount Union