February 25, 2022
Dear Campus Community,
We are pleased to share the Heidelberg University Strategic Growth Action Plan FY 2022-2026 with all members of the Heidelberg community. This plan charts our student and institutional aspirations, priorities, growth areas, and expectations for success over the next 5-10 years.
The SGAP Steering Committee worked on this plan for about 16 months beginning in fall 2020. They engaged the campus for feedback on several occasions. The Board of Trustees provided critical input on the work periodically throughout the planning process, devoted its Strategic Board Retreat to the SGAP in October 2021, and approved the final plan in December 2021.
To achieve our long-term Mission and Vision, the SGAP Steering Committee has created a plan to accomplish four overarching Strategic Goals that track against measurable Strategic Objectives and focus our work to execute the Key Strategic Initiatives aligned with each goal. Our goals are defined in the plan:
- Heidelberg Value - Gain Competitive Educational Market Advantages
- Enrollment Growth - Expand Student Educational Opportunity
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity - Become A More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Learning Community
- Financial Sustainability - Strengthen Resilience for University Sustainability
We want to publicly thank the members of the SGAP Steering Committee, who demonstrated great competency for the planning task, a unique understanding of the institution, valuable connections to the campus community, and strong representation of their functional area(s). They have been enthusiastic, insightful, dedicated, creative, and thorough. Tony Bourne, Courtney DeMayo Pugno, Shaun Gunnell, Robin Heaton, Ashley Helmstetter, Kurt Huenemann, Rob Huntington, Jordan Kaufman, Noah Kennard (student), Hoa Nguyen, Tony Patrizi, April Russell, Bryan Smith, Tracy Sittason Stark, as well as current or former colleagues Katie Mullins, Marjorie Shavers, J.T. Vaughan (student), and Monica Verhoff, took on this huge task successfully. You have all served admirably with the best interests of Heidelberg at the core. We are grateful to each of you.
We also extend appreciation to our many colleagues who took advantage of opportunities to engage in the planning process with your participation in campus forums and other avenues for feedback and sharing of ideas. The process truly was as inclusive as we – and you – could make it.
Now, after thousands of hours that have been poured into the thoughtful preparation, planning, and development of the Heidelberg University Strategic Growth Action Plan FY 2022-2026, we are excited to go forward. Many important programs and projects in this plan have been underway over the past year, and each of the functional areas under the Senior Leadership Team has developed its SGAP Integrated Strategic Operational Plan to fully execute the Key Strategic Initiatives over the next five years.
Our intent is to report on our SGAP progress and provide updates on this website, so check back from time to time.
We look forward to engaging all Heidelberg University stakeholders collaboratively as we deliver more transformation, innovation, differentiation, and value for our students with refined focus and determination.
With ’Berg Pride,
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 Chair, Board of Trustees |
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 President |
The SGAP team established the following Mission and Vision statements for SGAP that align with Heidelberg’s institutional Mission and Vision:
HU 10-Year Strategic Mission Statement
Heidelberg will deliver student lives of purpose with distinction through community inclusiveness, integrated curricular and co-curricular programs, and global water education, research, and commercialization.
HU 10-Year Strategic Vision Statement
Heidelberg will be the top rated, ranked, and valued educational institution among our regional peers.
Strategic Goals, Objectives and Key Strategic Initiatives
Meeting consistently since November of 2020, the SGAP team created the enclosed plan to accomplish four overarching goals to help us achieve our Mission and approach our Vision:
- Heidelberg Value - Gain Competitive Educational Market Advantages
- Enrollment Growth - Expand Student Educational Opportunity
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity - Become A More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Learning Community
- Financial Sustainability - Strengthen Resilience for University Sustainability
After finalizing the Four Strategic Goals, the SGAP Steering Committee established a list of Strategic Objectives to help Heidelberg accomplish each Strategic Goal and the SGAP Mission and approach the SGAP Vision. The SGAP Steering Committee then identified Key Strategic Initiatives to achieve each objective. There is significant overlap between the Four Strategic Goals, the 19 Strategic Objectives, and the 52 Key Strategic Initiatives (KSIs). in the SGAP. In combination, they work together to achieve the SGAP Mission and aspire to the SGAP Vision. The entire plan was informed and strengthened by our higher education market analysis, a SWOT analysis of each overarching goal, and the identification of critical success factors.
Heidelberg must successfully execute the KSIs listed in the SGAP plan to accomplish our institutional objectives, reach our goals, and realize the strategic vision and mission identified by the SGAP committee. The purpose of the SGAP is for Heidelberg University to survive the current crises (demographic changes and changing market demands, both of which were accelerated by COVID-19), and thrive in the competitive market of 21st century higher education. In order to survive and thrive, Heidelberg University must accelerate and achieve greater transformation, innovation, differentiation, and value over the next five years and beyond.
Upon finalizing the KSIs and Objectives, the SGAP team identified the KSIs that were most urgent, most important, and most transformational for the institution to help prioritize the execution of SGAP initiatives. The SGAP Steering Committee identified the following top KSIs:
Heidelberg University SGAP Top KSI Priorities
Goal 1: Heidelberg Value - Gain Competitive Educational Market Advantages
Goal 2: Enrollment Growth - Expand Student Educational Opportunity
Goal 3: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity - Become A More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Learning Community
Goal 4: Financial Sustainability - Strengthen Resilience for University Sustainability