President H. James Williams, Ph.D. shares an update on the Mount's next Strategic Plan. Our vision for 2030 is to create a dedicated learning community that equips students for success based on five key themes.
Students, Faculty, and Staff:
It is hard to believe we are almost at the midway point of the 2024 Fall Semester. I have been involved in higher education for more than 40 years, and one universal truth is that academic semesters move quickly. This is especially true at the Mount, with so much energy and activity on our beautiful campus every day.
Throughout this calendar year, the Mount’s Strategic Planning Team has been working diligently to develop a draft of the Mount’s next Strategic Plan. This semester, based on input from all members of the Mount community, through surveys and forums, as well as via data gathered about the future of the Greater Cincinnati region and higher education nationwide, the Team developed a vision for the Mount in the year 2030:
MSJ is a dedicated learning community rooted in the values of the Sisters
of Charity of Cincinnati that equips every student to graduate, flourish in their chosen professional path, lead a life of purpose, and contribute to a better world for all.
To achieve this vision – the desired state of the Mount – in the year 2030, the Team identified five key “themes” on which it believes the Community must focus:
- Culture of Collaboration;
- Discovery of Purpose;
- High Impact Infrastructure Investment;
- Innovative Academic Programs; and
- Personalized Student Support and Success.
Next, the Team will draft “bold goals” that align with these themes, to help us achieve the 2030 vision. As part of the goals-development process, the Team will review and consider the recommendations of the four Strategic Planning Advisory Committees, which were submitted over the last week.
Each Advisory Committee was asked to evaluate and determine what is needed in an area of focus – Technology, Campus Culture, Alternate Revenue Opportunities, and Academic Programs and Student Success – to fulfill the University’s Mission, to achieve the Vision for the year 2030, and to make associated strategy recommendations. I am most grateful to the faculty, staff, and students who served on these Advisory Committees. The final report of each committee is extremely thoughtful and inventive.
Later this month, the Team will host Strategic Choice Sessions to (1) gain community input that will help prioritize recommendations from the Advisory Committees and (2) to secure feedback on the draft “bold goals” that the Team is developing. The following Strategic Choice Sessions have been scheduled.
Students
Thursday, October 24th 4-5 p.m., and
Monday, October 28th Noon-1 p.m.
Faculty and Staff
Monday, October 21st 4-5 p.m., and
Thursday, October 24th Noon-1 p.m.
You will receive an Outlook invitation for two sessions, which will be held virtually, to provide flexibility for participation. Each Outlook invitation will include a Zoom link.
Your voice is critically important in developing a Strategic Plan that represents the entire Community. Thanks to each of you who has participated in the Strategic Plan development process to-date – whether by responding to a survey, attending a forum, or serving on an Advisory Committee. I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming Strategic Choice Sessions, to take advantage of another opportunity to provide your valuable input in the development of the Mount’s next Strategic Plan.
Finally, students and those teaching, I wish you a wonderful Fall Break! I hope that you are able to enjoy what is projected to be a fantastic weather weekend, and that you return to campus next week energized for the rest of the semester – it will go by so very fast!
Sincerely,
H. James Williams, Ph.D.
President
President