Reflections Magazine Issue #62 - Winter 2005 | Page 11

Vision for the Future The successful completion of the “Campaign for Siena Heights University: Education with a Mission” capped the many plans and projects that emerged from our strategic plan of the late 1990s. It is thus time to embark upon a new strategic plan. Vision and Values Since February 2004, a committed group of University constituents (faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees) have been working to develop and begin implementing a new University Strategic Plan. The process began with an affirmation of our mission statement and the development of SHU’s new Vision and Values Statement (right). Steeped in the tradition of our Adrian Dominican founders and consistent with the mission of Siena Heights, our vision statement focuses on student success and the new strategic plan maps out Siena’s course for the next five years. Siena Heights University, standing consciously in our Dominican tradition, commits itself, above all, to the success of each student, preparing all to realize their potential and serve the common good. The University will focus on six strategic priorities: program quality and value, the promotion of teaching and learning excellence, expanded awareness and understanding of SHU’s identity and impact, expanding and enhancing resources for long-term sustainability, strengthening of organizational effectiveness, and comprehensive professional development for our employees. Each priority has defined objectives and three have been selected for implementation in the current academic year. Truth Respect Community Collaboration Leadership Service In 2004-05, SHU will focus on the development and implementation of a resource allocation process to assure that our strengths are identified and adequately supported. Because the university is tuition dependent, our second goal for the year is to make recruitment and retention everyone’s responsibility. And finally we will look to improve operating performance and our financial position. The strategic plan also looks to strengthen Siena Heights’ distinctiveness and impact. That requires University resources to be focused on core programs that provide quality and enduring value to our students. Deciding where to focus limited resources is always a challenge. Every academic and administrative unit will be involved in this process. Each unit has outlined a vision for its future. Recruitment and retention are essential to making Siena a successful academic institution now and into the future. Recruitment and retention task forces for each of our three colleges have been created. These groups are working to develop enrollment plans with specific recruitment and retention goals. They will also make recommendations to the University regarding policies and practices that could have short and long-term recruitment and retention implications. A strong fiscal base is essential to sustain quality and to respond to opportunities. A financial improvement task force will develop a five year financial plan and focus on improving specific financial ratios and benchmarks. Concurrent with these three priority goals for this year, the University has engaged a consultant to identify a group of peer institutions which will provide benchmarks. An aspiration group of colleges and universities in the Midwest will also be identified within this project. Planning can be boring and a chore to some. Involving many people in the process takes time – a valuable commodity on any campus. However, effective planning that starts with mission, vision and values can yield significant results. The Siena Heights community looks forward to keeping you informed as we implement our new strategic plan. Accordingly, consistent with Siena’s Dominican tradition of creating a teaching and learning environment that is reflective and active, we dedicate ourselves to… Seek truth for tomorrow, informed by the wisdom of the past. Embrace the uniqueness and the dignity of every person. Build community by providing caring attention to individuals, sharing experiences and responsibilities, and celebrating achievements. Promote collaboration and partnerships within and across communities. Develop leaders who serve, model, preach, and inspire. Foster peace, justice and service to others, especially those in need. Reflections Winter ‘05 - Siena Heights News 9