STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The University of Mount Union concluded its previous strategic plan – Compass 2021 – in 2021 after a five-year implementation process. The plan, established by then-President Dr. Richard Merriman, Jr. (2015-2020), bridged the presidencies of Dr. Merriman and the institution’s next president, Dr. Thomas Botzman (2020-2022). It also carried the institution through the better part of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Dr. Botzman launched an effort to develop the institution’s next strategic plan. The mission statement was confirmed by the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administration, and drafts of a vision statement, key actions, and key values were developed. In addition, working groups were established to address four primary areas – academics, resources, enrollment and retention, and workplace culture and organizational development. These working groups met regularly to identify key objectives and action items, and the Board of Trustees was kept apprised of the plan’s development.
In April of 2022, Dr. Botzman announced his retirement. Dr. Robert Gervasi was named interim president in May of 2022, and work on the strategic plan slowed. Efforts were made to review the plan in its existing draft form, and the administration developed specific actions that stemmed from this draft plan as the institution’s primary focus for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Dr. Gervasi’s tenure as interim president concluded in the spring of 2023 when Gregory King was named the institution’s 14th president. President King began his tenure in March, and during his inauguration address, he laid out several priorities for the institution – maintaining a student-first mindset, stabilizing enrollment, building and growing strong academic programs, celebrating excellence in athletics, embracing our increasingly diverse world, and bolstering partnerships with the Alliance and surrounding community. These efforts were all in support of his vision of Mount Union becoming the premiere comprehensive, small, private university in the region.
That fall, President King offered his first State of the University presentation, during which he expanded upon these priorities by summarizing them under the following key areas – enrollment, retention, affordability, and positioning.
In an effort to advance the institution’s planning efforts, work was undertaken to review the results of the working groups’ progress from 2021 and merge it with the vision, priorities, and goals offered forth by President King in 2023. This has resulted in a new action plan that features five strategic initiatives – grow enrollment strategically, bolster student retention, develop strategic partnerships, position the institution for distinction, and enhance belonging and workplace culture. During this time, two additional parallel efforts were taking place.
First, the institution’s Board of Trustees mandated that the administration concentrate its efforts for the future on three key priorities – enrollment, retention, and affordability – while maintaining fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. Additionally, a representative group on campus, comprised of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and partners, assumed responsibility for developing vision and purpose statements that advance the mission of the institution.
A draft of the plan and the above-mentioned statements were presented to the campus community for feedback during the 2024 spring semester, and Students First was officially approved by the Board of Trustees during its May meeting. As implementation occurs, the obligations set forth by the Board, coupled with the overarching mission, vision, and purpose statements detailed on the University Mission page, will serve as checks and balances to ensure that the Students First plan not only moves the University forward but does so in a conscientious, sustainable, and strategic manner.