In an era where Christian higher education faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, it is crucial to have a clear vision and a strategic approach that ensures long-term success and sustainability. Foundations for the Future serves as a guiding framework to harness our collective potential, leveraging our strengths while addressing the needs around us.
This bold strategy for Campbellsville University 2023-2028 is the vision of our entire Tiger family, shaped in planning sessions over the last year. Initiatives designed around five key themes – Establish Academic Excellence, Improve Diversity and Belonging, Increase Financial Stability, Amplify Community Engagement, and Increase Quality Enrollment – will fortify our foundations and empower our University to adapt, innovate, thrive, and minister for generations to come.
1. ESTABLISH ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Academic accomplishment is the heart of this university, so high achievement, quality, and student success are central to this pillar. We will build upon the solid foundation of Campbellsville’s legacy to raise standards and expectations in academics. Plans for establishing academic distinction include:
- Launching advanced programs at the Master’s and Doctoral levels
- Implementing curricula that embed workforce training in undergraduate degrees
- Creating new facilities for Business, the Arts, and general teaching spaces
- Establishing Faculty Learning Communities where iron sharpens iron
2. IMPROVE DIVERSITY AND BELONGING
As a University that celebrates every individual as created in God’s image, we will elevate diversity and belonging to a university-wide priority. We will create a community that fosters student, faculty, and staff well-being and success by integrating training and resource across the University system. Plans for establishing diversity and belonging include:
- Providing training for faculty and staff
- Hiring a cabinet-level position for diversity and community
- Creating liaison positions across the University structure
- Incorporating diversity and belonging into department planning, policies, and practices
3. ENHANCE FINANCIAL STABILITY
With shifting demographics and a challenging horizon for higher education, Campbellsville University will need to leverage every strength to increase financial stability. A five-year campaign, practices for operational discipline, and a bold target for endowment will bolster financial integrity and preserve capacity for innovation. Plans to increase financial stability include:
- Growing the endowment
- Increasing the competitiveness of employee salaries against benchmark institutions
- Implementing a deferred maintenance plan inside of the operational budget
- Creating new spaces for Business, the Arts, unmet needs in Athletics, and quality instruction
4. AMPLIFY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Seizing opportunity around us with welcoming communities, new industry, and emerging enterprise, Campbellsville University will integrate experiential learning into every student pathway. We will advance championship-level athletics, employee environment, and servant leadership to strengthen community and extend our Christian mission. Plans to amplify community engagement include:
- Establishing a Servant Leadership Center to encourage, facilitate, and recognize engagement
- Developing championship-level athletics that extend the University’s Christian mission and image
- Creating opportunities for enrichment of employee health, professional growth, and university care
- Designing meaningful experiential learning into each academic program
5. INCREASE QUALITY ENROLLMENT
Continuing our effort to reach every deserving student with exceptional education preparing them to be salt and light, we will grow quality enrollment through effective enrollment and retention. We will foster engagement and enhance graduation rates, as we deepen opportunities to integrate living and learning communities. Plans to increase quality enrollment include:
- Improving our ability to meet student needs in counseling, academic success, and connections to athletes
- Addressing persistent, non-academic causes of low graduation rates
- Establishing living learning communities that deepen engagement with community and academics
- Enhancing space for student life and activities