St. Scholastica 2030 Institutional Strategic Plan
Developing Our Plan for the Future
Over the summer of 2024 and at the Saints Institute in August, The College of St. Scholastica embarked on a strategic planning process utilizing a collaborative strategy under the guidance of an organizational consultant, Pat Sanaghan, author of “Collaborative Strategic Planning in Higher Education.” The highly collaborative planning process involved the work of a strategic planning task force of approximately 40 employees representing all areas of the college, led by four co-chairs. The plan emerging from this process proposes the 2025-2030 pillars and goals for the College’s next five years.
Our Purpose, Direction, and Core Beliefs
The development of the Strategic Plan was shaped by our mission and vision, and guided by our Catholic identity and the Benedictine values. We invite you to explore these foundational principles.
View Mission and Vision Explore Our Values Discover Our Catholic Identity
Preferred Future Statement
The College of St. Scholastica is a regionally acclaimed Catholic Benedictine College where our rich history and heritage come alive through our explicit commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and our Benedictine values. These values — Community, Hospitality, Respect, Stewardship and Love of Learning — are woven into every aspect of our work, ensuring that everything we do reflects our deep-rooted traditions and our forward-looking vision.
We have created a welcoming sense of place where every individual is respected and can truly belong. Our dynamic College community values student individuality and offers learning experiences designed to unlock each student’s full potential. At Scholastica, learning is innovative, engaging, and intentionally crafted to equip students with transferable skills needed for success in a complex and fast-changing world.
Listening closely to the needs of our community partners and other key stakeholders, we design adaptive academic programs that respond to both student aspirations and market demands. This ensures that our graduates are not only wellprepared academically but are also sought after for their excellent education, lived values, work ethic and sense of purpose in their chosen fields.
Our faculty and staff are the heart of our mission, celebrated for their stellar teaching and their ongoing commitment to personal and professional development. We invest in them because we know that a culture of trust, collaboration and shared ownership strengthens our community and enhances every educational experience.
We are deeply committed to financial sustainability through data-driven decision-making, transparent budgeting and effective resource management. Our strategic initiatives have expanded our revenue streams and bolstered our financial foundation, positioning us for long-term growth and innovation. This financial stability not only secures our future but also provides a robust platform for advancing student success. Our graduates emerge equipped to embody our Benedictine Values in every aspect of their lives.
The College of St. Scholastica is widely known as a dependable community ally. It is integrated into the fabric of regional life and significantly contributes to our shared quality of life. Our strong partnerships enable us to extend our mission throughout the region and beyond, ensuring that our impact is felt both within the College community and beyond. We embody our Benedictine heritage and charism, proud of who we are, and excited about the future we are building — a future where every student matters, where education meets real-world application and where our shared values drive excellence and transformation.
Go Saints!
Pillar 1: Institutional Stability
The College of St. Scholastica is focused on developing strategic growth and organizational excellence by building a transparent decision-making model, strengthening financial planning, and advancing our ERP system. These efforts, combined with deepened stakeholder engagement and expanded partnerships, will position us for long-term impact and sustainability.
Goal 1: Create a Transparent Decision-Making Model for Investment, Resource Reallocation, and Initiative Planning
The College of St. Scholastica will develop a model to ensure that institutional resources are allocated responsibly, equitably, and in alignment with our mission. This approach fosters community trust, supports financial sustainability, and empowers stakeholders through inclusive, values-driven planning.
Goal 2: Improve Financial Forecasting, Budget Management, and Communication
Through clearer forecasting, consistent communication, and simplified budget processes, The College of St. Scholastica will strengthen financial stability and build confidence across the community. This goal supports proactive planning, informed decision-making, and a shared understanding of the College’s financial health.
Goal 3: Boost Stakeholder and Donor Engagement for Fundraising
The College of St. Scholastica will deepen relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners by aligning fundraising efforts with institutional priorities and meaningful engagement opportunities. This will lead to increased financial support and lasting connections that extend beyond giving to mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy.
Goal 4: Enhance the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System to Support Process Improvement and Operational Effectiveness
Upgrading the ERP system will enable The College of St. Scholastica to streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and enhance collaboration across departments. This technological advancement will lead to more efficient workflows, better decision-making, and improved service delivery for all constituents.
Goal 5: Expand and Enhance Business and Community Partnerships
The College of St. Scholastica will cultivate strong, mission-aligned partnerships with businesses and community organizations to expand experiential learning, address regional workforce needs, and reinforce our role as a trusted, collaborative community anchor.
Pillar 2: Student Success
We are committed to enhancing every stage of the student journey, from admission to graduation, by enriching the student experience and expanding hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, strategic investments in living and learning environments will further support student success, well-being, and long-term achievement.
Goal 1: Strengthen the Student Experience to Foster Success From Admission to Graduation
Strengthening collaborations between faculty, support staff, and enrollment services will allow the College to create a seamless student experience from admission to graduation. A coordinated enrollment management plan, paired with holistic academic, emotional, and social support, will promote student success and a greater sense of belonging throughout the learning experience.
Goal 2: Expand Opportunities for Experiential Learning
Integrating High-Impact Practices (HIPs) into the curriculum and expanding access will enhance learning, boost engagement, and improve career readiness. Stronger internal and external partnerships will connect students to meaningful support and real-world experiences aligned with their goals.
Goal 3: Invest in Living and Learning Infrastructure to Support Student Success and Well-being
Investing in modern housing and technology-rich learning environments will enhance student success, well-being, and sense of belonging. Upgraded residential spaces and digital infrastructure will create inclusive, supportive settings that foster academic achievement, personal growth, and equitable access to resources both on campus and online.
Pillar 3: Academic Programming and Lifelong Learning
St. Scholastica is committed to optimizing our academic portfolio and creating innovative learning pathways that reflect our mission, respond to workforce needs, and align with market trends. At the same time, we are working to advance models of program affordability and accessibility to reach and support a broader, more diverse student population.
Goal 1: Optimize Academic Portfolio Grounded in our Mission and Vision, Legacy of Healthcare, Workforce Needs, Strategic Investments, and Financial Sustainability
We will align our academic portfolio with the College’s mission and vision, healthcare legacy, and workforce needs to prioritize sustainable, high-impact programs. Through strategic analysis and targeted investment, we will drive academic excellence and community impact while phasing out offerings that no longer support our goals.
Goal 2: Create Innovative Learning Pathways That Attract New Students and Respond to Market Trends
The College will attract both traditional and non-traditional learners by offering flexible, innovative programs, including joint degrees, certificates, and various delivery formats, to meet evolving workforce needs. Partnering with regional stakeholders, we’ll create high-quality offerings that boost enrollment, enhance student experiences, and address community demands.
Goal 3: Advance Models of Program Affordability and Accessibility
The College of St. Scholastica will advance affordability through accessible pricing and financial aid, shaped by student feedback and constituent input. This commitment to equity and transparency will strengthen enrollment, improve retention, and support a more diverse student body.
Pillar 4: Our Catholic Benedictine Legacy
St. Scholastica strives to focus on regional transformation while cultivating a welcoming and supportive College community. We are also committed to investing in our employees, recognizing their vital contributions and aiming to become an employer of choice.
Goal 1: Respond to the Needs of the Broader Community
Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, The College of St. Scholastica will act as a transformative force in the broader community by addressing social and environmental challenges through a lens of justice, human dignity, and the common good. Inspired by Benedictine values, we will engage students, faculty, and staff in sustainable partnerships that foster mutual growth, enrich learning, and affirm our mission to serve both the local and global community with compassion and purpose.
Goal 2: Strengthen Well-Being and Belonging Within The College of St. Scholastica Community
Rooted in Benedictine values, The College of St. Scholastica will cultivate a culture of care, belonging, and holistic well-being for all students, faculty, and staff. By prioritizing mental health, inclusive community-building and welcoming spaces, we will create an environment where every individual is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Goal 3: Invest in our Faculty and Staff
Recognizing the vital role our employees play in fulfilling our mission, The College of St. Scholastica is committed to investing in fair compensation, manageable workloads, and robust professional development opportunities. This investment will foster long-term satisfaction, retention, and growth, ensuring our faculty and staff are equipped and inspired to lead with excellence and purpose. Through these efforts, we aim to be an employer of choice — an attractive, supportive, and empowering place to work.
