Mission, Values & Strategic Direction
Mission
We educate students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world.
Guiding Values
做厙TV is:
- A selective, residential, national liberal-arts college focused on deliberate preparation for successful careers and engaged citizenship.
- A learning community that supports excellence in scholarship, research, creative activity and collaboration in and out of the classroom among faculty, staff and students.
- A diverse community that cultivates inclusive excellence, intercultural competence and global citizenship.
- An innovative community whose faculty and staff are its greatest resource.
- A collaborative community that expects ethical behavior and mutual respect from all its members.
- A responsible community committed to financial and environmental sustainability.
- An engaged community that inspires and empowers alumni to be perpetual stewards of their alma mater.
- A welcoming community that honors its Lutheran heritage through a commitment to service in the region and the world and the free and open exploration of ideas.
- A beautiful campus that fosters a holistic living and learning experience.
202627 Planning: Pillars
Positioning the university as a leader in a rapidly evolving world through innovation, interdisciplinary and applied learning, and global citizenship
Rooted in the universitys commitment to academic excellence, this pillar reflects our commitment to intellectual grounding, active learning, and a transformative education that empowers graduates to realize their unique potential to lead successful, meaningful lives.
2026-27 University Goals
- Establish a Task Force on the Future of Higher Education
- Create an updated Financial Sustainability Plan reflecting revised enrollment projection
- Develop a multi-year auxiliary revenue plan that includes events, camps, summer and winter sessions, and possible contract work.
- Review Engineering
- Further explore an MBA program
- Implement an initial AI professional development plan for faculty and staff.
- Develop operational goals during fy27
- Career placement
- Graduation rate vs. predicted rate
- Using the new KPIs, set goals for academic excellence
- KPIs: Academic Excellence/Innovation, Scholarship and Creative Work, Graduation Rates, Post-Graduation Outcomes, Experiential Learning Participation, Alumni Participation
Fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment that empowers faculty, staff, and students to thrive
Rooted in the universitys Statement on Ethical and Inclusive Living, this pillar reflects our nurturing campus community and our culture dedicated to holistic well-being.
2026-27 University Goals
- Administer the employee engagement survey in Fall 2026
- Administer the HEDS Climate Survey
- Create a concerted initiative to boost social-media posts from faculty and staff
- KPIs: Turnover, Recruitment rate, Promotion rate, Employee Engagement, Campus Climate, Professional Development & Well-Being
Driving sustainable development and responsible resource management with innovative practices, enduring stewardship, and strategic growth
Rooted in the universitys deep commitment to the health of the planet and the long-term health of the University, this pillar emphasizes our dedication to practical application, interdisciplinary collaboration, and thoughtful planning to ensure institutional resilience and future readiness.
2026-27 University Goals
- Raise the following funds
- Bogar Steele Phase 2
- Total funds $10 million (VP transition)
- Complete these projects
- Degenstein Center
- Bogar Steele Phase 1
- Chapel planning
- KPIs: Financial Sustainability Plan (break even, total cash used for operations, GAAP), Endowment Growth, Philanthropic contributions, Capital Planning and budget, Environmental Sustainability
Building and sustaining a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic student body by enhancing recruitment, retention, and pathways to success
Rooted in the universitys emphasis on accessible pathways and a supportive community, this pillar ensures that every student can flourish and achieve their educational goals.
2026-27 University Goals
- Launch an internal student re-recruitment campaign to enhance persistence
- Conduct an analysis of realistic enrollment goals and the means to achieve them
- Increase the reputation of dining
- Athletics
- Introduce womens flag football
- Assess crew expansion
- KPIs: New Student Enrollment (FTFY, transfers, domestic, international), Student Retention