Build Belonging and Promote Equity
We will become a university characterized by radical hospitality and a shared sense of belonging where all are welcomed as we work to achieve social justice and dismantle inequities of all forms.
The world faces serious challenges and inequities of all types: educational, economic, environmental, health and social. We are called to help create lasting change that upholds human dignity, achieves equity and justice, and advances the common good.
Within our community, we will improve student recruitment and university-wide hiring practices to diversify our community and better reflect the demographics of our society and world. As we become a more diverse campus, we will continue our work to dismantle inequities and create a culture of belonging by cultivating and practicing inclusion for all who learn, live and work in our community.
Beyond our campuses, we will leverage our resources and expertise to partner with government, businesses, nonprofits and community members to help create a future where social justice and equity prevail in our larger world.
Community Input
The 2025 strategic planning process began just prior to the Covid-19 epidemic and well before the unrest associated with the killing of George Floyd. These events amplify the challenges and solutions identified during the strategic planning process.
The “double pandemic” has created immense economic challenges in our community and around the world that will remain significant for years to come, and the Black lives matter movement is highlighting the social and economic inequality that create barriers for many to access a college education. These developments create urgency around improving access, collaboration with the community, and educational innovation.
Particularly important to attracting and supporting diverse students is also developing more diversity among faculty and staff, expanded diversity training and dialogues with greater employee participation, and much more flexibility in the transfer process. A more diverse student body will also require more creative and flexible approaches to learning, both in terms of the pedagogy itself but also in terms of program offerings. Frequently mentioned suggestions are flexible scheduling, stackable programs, innovative pricing models, and more blended, hy-flex and online options.