Strategic Planning 2025
The Planning Context: Our Current Environment
In today's dynamic higher education environment, The University of Scranton remains committed to its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit institution. This mission, further informed by the Society of Jesus' Universal Apostolic Preferences and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and University's Characteristics of Jesuit Education provides the foundation for our future planning.
Following an Integrated Planning Model, our planning is attentive to external issues, including changing student and public expectations, demographics, modes of delivery, and rising demand for experiential and practical learning, while navigating increasing costs, ever more scarce resources, and calls for accountability. These are just a few of the major issues facing colleges and universities today.
While considering these and other external challenges and opportunities, our planning must be responsive to needs and areas of improvement identified by our students, faculty and staff through outreach and conversation during the planning process and through institutional assessments, such as our recent Middle States accreditation self-study, AJCU Mission Priority Examen, and other evaluations.
The University of Scranton Mission: The University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share its way of proceeding. The University is a community dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share its life.
The Planning Process
The next strategic plan will have its roots in analysis, reflection, and discussion about how we may best leverage our strengths to respond to external challenges and opportunities, coupled with detailed analysis of internal assessments and resulting recommendations and opportunities for improvement and growth. Our practice also incorporates findings and recommendations from similar conversations that occur across the the University community, as well as the direction and potential impact of new and emerging institutional initiatives.
Input from faculty, staff, students and other members of the University community will be sought at key points throughout the planning process, as we work together to develop the initial scope and structure of the plan, and through its continued revision and refinement.
The University's Strategic Planning 2025 Framework describes our approach and detailed timetable of work.
Leadership
The University Planning Committee (UPC), which includes representation from our Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government, and staff and leadership from a variety of administrative areas, serves as the steering committee for the development and implementation of the strategic plan. The UPC is chaired by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and is supported by the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. The UPC is tasked with the development and recommendation of the final strategic plan document for approval by the University's President and Board of Trustees.
The UPC may also seek assistance from existing committees or establish ad hoc working groups to engage in more detailed analysis of selected topics.
Readings and Resources
Selected resources, readings, and materials:
The University of Scranton's Mission and Vision
The Universal Apostolic Preferences of Jesuit Institutions
AJCU Characteristics of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Fall 2023 University Fact Sheet: Enrollment and Other Statistics
This section will be updated with additional materials throughout the spring of 2024 and throughout the planning process.
Submit Suggestions & Ideas
Members of the University community will have many opportunities to be involved in the planning process and add their input as the new plan develops. Watch for information about upcoming meetings, events, and listening sessions in the spring, summer, and fall of 2024 and beyond.
You may also Click here to submit your ideas, comments, and suggestions at any time.