Butler Beyond—Strategic Direction Progress Report

STRATEGIC DIRECTION PROGRESS REPORT

Spring 2023

From the President

As Butler embarked upon the planning process for our new Butler Beyond strategic direction in 2019, we proactively confronted the reality of disruption. We embraced the imperative that Butler University must transform to remain a thriving university. In consultation with nationally regarded experts in higher education, we identified the major forces expected to significantly threaten our traditional educational approach over the coming decade, including demographic shifts, pricing and cost pressures, and more.

We knew that solving these significant and systemic challenges would require a bold strategy, one that continues to enhance Butler’s successful model of traditional, liberal arts-based residential undergraduate education while simultaneously developing entirely new models designed to meet the future needs of higher education. It became clear Butler would need to push the boundaries on who, how, and where it educates. Referred to as dual transformation, this simultaneous approach to developing multiple models became the University’s strategy for ensuring long-term success and thus serves as the foundation for the Butler Beyond strategic direction.

Since developing our Butler Beyond strategy, we have established seven priorities that provide the guiding framework for advancing this vision. In the following pages you will see some of the highlights of our progress to date within each of these priorities. I am extremely proud of the significant collaborative work represented within these pages that the Butler Community has accomplished over the past several years. Our dual focus on enhancing our traditional model while developing innovative future models is paying off. The Butler Beyond strategy is already bearing fruit through distinctive student experiences, new partnerships, diversified revenue streams, and additional learners gaining access to a Butler education through innovative programs and degree pathways.

While we celebrate these successes, we cannot rest on our past achievements. Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education and the changing needs of learners will require us to maintain a steady focus on the priorities outlined in these pages, and even to accelerate these efforts. We owe it to every past, present, and future Bulldog to faithfully steward Butler University into its next great chapter.

As you read through these pages, I hope you are inspired by all that has already been accomplished and by all the possibilities that are still before us in the pursuit of our mission.

Well-Being

Mission Statement

Butler University, founded on ideals of equity and academic excellence, creates and fosters a collaborative, stimulating intellectual learning environment. We are inspired to boldly innovate and broadly educate, enriching communities and preparing all learners to lead meaningful lives.

Drafting a strategic direction is one thing. Taking the necessary steps to make it happen is quite another. These are the priorities we are pursuing to take Butler Beyond,

and the initiatives currently underway that will keep us moving forward.

Priority 1

Ensure the Accessibility, Relevancy, and Distinctive Impact of a Butler Degree

Butler University will develop and enhance programs and experiences of distinction, maximize exceptional student outcomes, and deliver an education inclusive of the academic, social, and career needs of future learners.

ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY OF A BUTLER DEGREE

Butler and Ivy Tech partnered to create articulation agreements which provide a more accessible and affordable pathway to a Butler degree. Four of Butler’s six colleges now offer articulation pathways, and additional agreements are under review.

ARTICULATION PATHWAYS

• Elementary Education (COE)

• Art & Design (JCA)

• Business (LSB)

• English (LAS)

• Environmental Studies (LAS)

• French (LAS)

• Philosophy (LAS)

• Religious Studies (LAS)

• Spanish (LAS)

THREE-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAMS

Butler established new Three-Year Degree Programs to provide accelerated, lower-cost pathways through access to year-round courses.

10 40 recently added programs total three-year degree pathways

INNOVATING IN ACADEMIC STUDENT SUCCESS AND RETENTION

Launching Foundations of Excellence and the Student Success Center, a result of Butler’s work with the Gardner Institute, has driven institutional transformation for first-year and transfer student success and retention. Interdisciplinary teams are leading a multi-year implementation which has included:

• Hiring Butler’s first ever Director of First-Year Experience

• Creating new academic advising guidelines for first-year students as well as guidelines for student mentors

• Developing a philosophy of the first-year experience and corresponding student learning and program outcomes

• Supporting professional development for faculty and staff

A collaborative Student Success Center hub across two suites in Jordan Hall provides a marquee home for academic student success and retention.

My job is to create systems for first-year students to find their place of belonging and connectedness on campus.

Nii Abrahams, Director of First-Year Experience

FORWARD-THINKING ACADEMIC LEADERS

Following a national search that concluded in March 2022, Butler appointed Dr. Brooke Barnett as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Brooke is a passionate advocate for expanding the reach of a Butler education to a more diverse set of learners. Several other key new academic leaders have also joined the Butler team bringing together the wisdom of years of experience at Butler and other universities to provide the perspectives needed to create the future together.

Butler is thriving and prepared to meet the many challenges higher education faces. We are on the cusp of so many exciting things, and I look forward to the next stages of our work together.

Brooke Barnett Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

CREATING DISTINCTIVE STUDENT EXPERIENCES

THE FACULTY-IN-RESIDENCE (FIR) PROGRAM

Eight faculty live among Butler students and provide programming in the residence halls in The Faculty in Residence (FIR) Program. The FIR program is now a joint program between Academics and Student Affairs with an action plan to enhance academic partnerships through residence life. The FIR in the honors livinglearning community is a Butler alum of the very same honors program.

THE BLUEWORK PLATFORM connects students with employers to gain real-world experiences aligned with their skills and interests.

BlueWork helps undergraduate and graduate students to:

Gain

Take advantage of the flexibility of remote work

My favorite thing about BlueWork is that I had the opportunity to work on so many unique projects that expanded my soft and hard skills immensely.

Rachael Howard, senior majoring in Finance with a minor in Organizational Communication and Leadership

Butler Appointed Dr. Brooke Barnett as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Build your network with professionals and other Butler students.

Access paid work without getting a job off campus.

Priority 2

Enhance Holistic Student Well-Being and Engagement

Butler University prioritizes the holistic well-being of our students and supports their development through robust opportunities for meaningful student engagement.

STUDENT WELL-BEING

Butler has partnered with two Indiana-based companies, Preventia and LifeOmic, to provide a Telehealth program for students and engaging wellness content via the LIFE Extend App.

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BUTLER FOOD PANTRY

expanded hours of operation and increased types of food offered to meet a variety of dietary needs. Student satisfaction with this new service is high, and 98% of students participating indicated that the food pantry allowed them to focus more of their time and energy on their academic pursuits.

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ATHERTON UNION COMMUTER STUDENT CENTER opened fall 2022. This new space will provide a dedicated “home” on campus for commuter students to study, rest, store and prepare meals, and spend time with friends between classes.

Well-being institute for at butler university

Student Affairs launched the Student Well-being Institutional Support Survey (SWISS) in 2020 as part of the Institute for Well-being.

SWISS Metrics:

• 23 participating institutions

• 18,000 respondents

• Institute leaders invited to present at 25+conference sessions

Student Well-being

Champions members of the Butler community have been trained in Mental Health First Aid as of December 2022

We know that when campuses prioritize students’ holistic well-being, students and institutions succeed. The Institute for Well-being is here to help colleges and universities understand students’ needs and identify opportunities to improve support.

Dr. Frank E. Ross, Vice President for Student Affairs

ESPORTS & GAMING TECHNOLOGY

In 2022, Butler University celebrated the grand opening of the Esports Park, a 7,320 square-foot multi-use esports and technology facility on the University’s campus, offering a unique avenue for student engagement. The Esports Park provides a dedicated home on campus for connecting competitive and recreational esports with educational and career opportunities in what is expected to become a $4.75 billion industry by 2030.

The facility features approximately 40 gaming PCs, an area of gaming consoles, and virtual reality. There is also space for technology-infused corporate training events, as well as youth STEM and esports camps. The facility has broadcast production capabilities for live events such as podcasts and esports competitions, a coworking space, a cafe, and office spaces available for lease to support related small companies and organizations.

300 10 6

titles/ teams

HIGHLIGHTS

• Butler to host BIG EAST Esports Championships at Esports Park

• Butler Providing Free Esports Park Memberships to Veterans

• Butler University announces tenants for its Esports Park: Challonge, Beastcoast, and Sports Tech HQ

• Crossroads Classic Data Analytics Challenge hosted by LSB at Butler’s Esports Park

Our goal is to build a diverse and inclusive esports program partnered with a state-of-the-art facility. Strategic community partners further the vision to become a national model … This benefits the entire University and surrounding community.

The Esports Communication minor builds in-demand skills needed for success in the booming world of competitive gaming. In the interdisciplinary minor, students will gain a foundation in esports production, communication, business, marketing, and more, preparing students for a variety of careers in esports.

13 1.7 competitions in 2021-2022 students who are esports minors exploratory

Eric Kammeyer, Director of Esports and Gaming Technology

2022 EGF VALORANT Power Series champions

2022 iRacing Sebring 12-hour Champions

2022 NECC League of Legends Champion

Priority 3

Establish Butler as a Leader in Developing Future Models of Education

Changing times require new ways, unbound by the traditional approach, of pursuing the University’s mission of enhancing lives through education. Butler will design new infrastructure, educational programs, and new ventures that diversify the learners served, support the University’s financial sustainability, and ultimately transform the University.

BUTLER TRANSFORMATION LAB: MOVING IDEAS FORWARD

Supported by a $2.5M grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., the University established the Butler Beyond Transformation Lab in spring 2021 to serve as the engine for moving big ideas forward from concept to reality. The lab focuses on vetting, designing, and launching new educational and business models that are poised to transform the University and broaden the learners it serves.

PROJECTS IN THE TRANSFORMATION LAB STAGES

IDEATE: 12 ASSESS: 7 VALIDATE: 3

DESIGN: 6

PILOT: 9 LAUNCH: 1

DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES: EXTENDING THE LEARNERS SERVED

With the support of a $10M grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., Butler established the Division of Professional Studies (DPS) to grow new programs, including fully online programs and alternative credit and non-credit credentials that serve non-traditional learners.

DPS supports the development and delivery of programs for learners who need or desire a different educational experience than Butler’s traditional undergraduate offering. These programs will expand the University’s impact by serving a greater and more diverse set of learners.

AS OF DECEMBER 2022

12 key areas

585 # of new programs launched # of learners served

NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF DPS CERTIFICATE NON-CREDIT

• Community Health Network: Data Literacy

• Eli Lilly: Design Thinking Training

• Roche: Global Marketing Academy

• Cyber Security Bootcamp

• Ascension Health: Physician Leadership Academy

• Insurance Academy

• Teacher-Ed, Teacher-Led

CREDIT AND CERTIFICATE

• Strategic Communication Certificate (CCOM)

THE COLLECTIVE: Providing a unified approach for professional development in the Academics division

Online Graduate Programs

Custom Corporate Programs

Non-Degree Certificates

ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREES

• Master of Science in Strategic Communication (CCOM)

• Masters of Business Administration (LSB)

• Master of Science in Data Analytics (LAS, COPHS, LSB)

• Doctor of Pharmacy (COPHS)

The Collective’s mission is to serve as a clearinghouse with collaborative leadership to help integrate continuous professional development opportunities for faculty and academic staff. The Collective fosters ongoing innovative teaching, engaged learning, quality curricula and assessment, and scholarly research that supports equity and inclusion to augment the strong culture Butler has as a teaching university.

COLLECTIVE RESOURCES

• Innovative Teaching Methods

• Advising & Mentoring

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Research, Scholarship & Creative Work

• Service & Leadership

• Faculty Life & Wellness

We are committed to investing in the professional development of our faculty. The Collective is an exciting step forward in enhancing our collaboration across campus to provide a one-stop shop for faculty excellence and development.

Brooke Barnett, Provost

Priority 4

Build a Culture of Empowerment, Engagement, and Accountability

Butler University faculty and staff are the heart of the institution. Butler will attract, develop, and retain high-performing and highly engaged faculty and staff.

TRANSFORMATION OF BUTLER’S HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

Butler’s Human Resources department is on the path to transformation, guided by an expanded leadership team and contemporary HR strategy. In addition to hiring a VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, leadership and staff have been added in the areas of Operations, Organizational Development and Effectiveness, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards, growing the team from 12 to 21 since 2019.

The team is building the foundation necessary to support Butler’s aspiration of a best-in-class culture and to align HR to address opportunities, and reimagine, reinvent, and equip HR to deliver now and in the future.

2022 TALENT ACQUISITION SUCCESSES

• The Talent Acquisition team has grown with the addition of three full-time team members in order to properly support HR’s commitment to a better candidate and hiring manager experience.

• Talent Acquisition metrics have been established, giving Butler the ability to properly measure progress and help leaders make informed hiring decisions across campus.

• The team has decreased the average time that it takes to fill a staff position at the University by 15 days, which is a 22 percent decrease since February 2022.

MISSION VISION VALUES

ESTABLISHING VALUES AND BUILDING COMPETENCIES

The organizational development team began working with staff and faculty across the University at all levels to identify a consistent view of which skills and behaviors are most identified as needed for success at Butler. This information will be used to identify resources and create development opportunities.

As part of the informing stage, Human Resources held 16 focus groups (with over 100 staff and faculty) to date. Following this, the team will review the data to identify recommended competencies, review the outputs with participants and discuss the next phase of development. The model will be finalized and will act to inform Butler University’s Talent Management practices.

Organizational Development and Effectiveness successes include:

• Phase 1 completion of a University-wide competency model that will identify the most important behaviors for individual and organizational success both now and in the future.

• Foundational work to refresh the BU values resulting from successfully completing the Mission and Vision work in spring 2022.

• New Team Member Orientation adjustments including a partnership with Faculty Professional Development to include an additional day for new hires that introduces new faculty to the BU community and connects them to resources available to support their success.

Culture in Action

$6,429,881 $6,429,881

1,117 FACULTY/STAFF DONORS GAVE

DURING THE BUTLER BEYOND CAMPAIGN THROUGH MAY 2022

Priority 5

Create an Intentionally Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Learning Environment

Butler will establish the shared responsibility of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members to act deliberately toward inclusive and equitable outcomes.

FIRST CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER

In 2022, Butler hired Khalilah Shabazz as the University’s first VP/CDO. Shabazz serves as an important collaborative partner with internal and external stakeholders to proactively develop and implement plans, programs, and activities that educate and motivate members of the Butler community to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values to be collectively upheld in support of student learning and success.

All of what Butler is links back to the importance of diversity, the movement toward equity, and being inclusive. An incredible amount of work has been going on here through the years. Now it’s time to take a broader institutional approach and make sure we are doing things in a way that impacts our campus and our community.

Khalilah Shabazz, VP, Chief Diversity Officer

DEI Focused Positions and Roles

REPRESENTATION

Most Diverse Incoming Class—In fall 2021, Butler welcomed the most diverse incoming class in its history, with 21 percent self-identifying as students of color and 18 percent stating they are the first in their family to attend college.

Inclusion Advocate Program & Onboarding

Enhancements—The IAP program, initiated in 2019, was expanded in fall 2021 to include an online DEI training program, faculty development opportunities, and community meetings.

› Each college and the Office of Academic Affairs have created a DEI Faculty Director role, and more capacity and attention for DEI work in the Colleges and Academic Affairs units.

› A new Diversity Center Faculty Fellow position has been created to better integrate the academic perspective into student life for student DEI programming. This position is a collaboration with the Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program.

› A realigned position created a DEI-focused Faculty-in-Residence to provide greater support for first-year residential students from marginalized/ underrepresented backgrounds and identities.

› A new Director for the Diversity Center was hired in October 2021.

› The Advancement Division created a position to focus on DEI and identity-based alumni communities

BELONGING AFFINITY GROUP PROGRAM

This employee program was created to deepen a sense of belonging and to support the onboarding of new faculty and staff, by bringing together individuals with similar backgrounds, identities, and/or interests.

ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Student and alumni leadership led to the establishment of the Asian and Pacific Islander Alumni Association, a significant contribution to Butler’s efforts to build an environment of belonging for our API community.

BUTLER LATINX ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Student and alumni leadership led to the establishment of the Butler Latinx Alumni Association, a significant contribution to Butler’s efforts to build an environment of belonging for our Latinx community through a variety of social, cultural, and educational programming.

HUB FOR BLACK AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Under the leadership of Dr. Terri Jett, the Hub is focused on the lives and experiences of the Black community at Butler, through creation of affinity groups, a collaborative fellows program, Black student support initiatives, and connection with visiting Black intellectuals.

Diversity Center Highlights

14

12

8 Student Organizations affiliated with the Diversity Center

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Students attended the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity through the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies at the University of Oklahoma

Cultural Heritage Celebrations in collaboration with Butler Dining Student participants in the Dawg Days pre-orientation program

ENGAGEMENT

DEI INNOVATION FUND

A $200,000 fund has been established to engage our community in developing ideas that support a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning and working environment at Butler. Twelve proposals have been approved for a total of $137,210 awarded (as of December 2022).

DEI INVENTORY

An inventory begun in summer 2021 collected feedback on the many ways individuals at the University advance DEI on campus and in the community. Creating awareness has allowed for sharing resources and knowledge of existing DEI-related programs and initiatives.

ANTI-RACISM SYMPOSIUM

In August 2020, 645 Butler faculty and staff attended an Anti-Racism Symposium with keynote speaker Ibram X. Kendi.

Priority

6

Strengthen the University’s Short- and Long-term Sustainability

Butler University will enhance its position of institutional strength through the purposeful use of data, greater use of its physical assets, diversification of its enrollment and tuition model, and fulfillment of its critical fundraising objectives.

BUTLER BEYOND CAMPAIGN

The Butler Beyond campaign eclipsed its campaign goal of $250M and is the largest and most successful philanthropic effort in Butler history, raising over $263.5M

• Gifts from more than 34,600 donors

• Gifts to the Butler Beyond campaign are advancing the University’s mission through:

• New and enhanced campus infrastructure

• An expanded scholarship endowment

• Access to transformational new experiential learning opportunities and degree pathways for current and future Butler students

BUTLER CELEBRATES DUGAN HALL NAMING

In August 2021, Butler University celebrated the official naming of Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall in honor of a $7 million multi-year commitment from Bill Dugan ’51. Dugan Hall is home to the Andre B. Lacy School of Business, the Office of Career and Professional Success, and the Butler Beyond Transformation Lab.

The construction of this facility was a foundational step toward our long-term vision for Butler’s future, allowing us to maximize the space within our campus footprint to provide for the growth of academic programs and University initiatives that are aligned with Indiana’s workforce needs.

Keith Faller ’71, Chair of the Butler University Board of Trustees

$100M INVESTMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY’S SCIENCE FACILITIES

The Sciences Expansion and Renovation Project is the largest infrastructure investment in University history. The project included the addition of a 44,000-square-foot building linking Gallahue Hall to the Holcomb Building, which was permanently named Levinson Family Hall in honor of a $10 million gift from Frank ’75 and Kristin Levinson in April 2022. The final phase of the project, a complete top-to-bottom renovation of Gallahue Hall, was completed in January 2023.

This expansion and renovation project will have a profound impact on generations of Butler students, and I am proud to be able to help provide the kind of quality facilities Butler students and faculty deserve.

Frank Levinson ’75

GATEWAY PROJECT

The Gateway Project is a long-term initiative that has the potential to make a generational transformation of the Butler campus, neighborhood, and community. It expands on the significant progress that has been made to campus in recent years. The project will pursue new development opportunities which:

• Advance the University’s strategy

• Support students, faculty, staff, and alumni

• Enhance campus and the Midtown Region of Indianapolis

PRESIDENT’S SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY GROUP

The President’s Sustainability Strategy Group (PSSG) was formed by President Danko in 2022 to support, galvanize, and advance the efforts of the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability (CUES) and other departments campuswide as Butler seeks to close the gap between its Sustainability and Climate Action Plan goals and its outcomes to date. PSSG is accelerating Priority 6 efforts through increased campuswide participation; the development of new funding sources; more comprehensive curricular integration; and the infusion of sustainability across all campus operations— including master planning, construction, dining, waste diversion, purchasing, and renewable energy use.

Overarching Sustainability Goals

• AASHE STARS Gold Rating by 2025

• Net carbon neutrality by 2050

• Empowerment and access for all students and community members to participate in Butler’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to make a meaningful difference in the face of climate change.

The year Butler aims to be carbon neutral

LEED Buildings on Butler’s Campus

Priority 7

Advance and Strengthen Butler’s External Reputation and Brand

Butler seeks to further elevate its regional and national profile and expand the reach and impact of its brand upon a more diverse set of learners, strategic partners and communities.

VP FOR MARKETING AND BRAND MANAGEMENT

Sherry Wallace has been selected to serve as Vice President for Marketing and Brand Management at Butler University. Wallace leads and manages the Marketing and Brand Management team, ensuring productive, creative, and customer-focused results across Brand Strategy, Enrollment Marketing, and Creative Services.

NATIONAL EXPOSURE New Broadcast Commercial

• The campaign theme is “We’re changing what it means to be a University” to further amplify the Butler Beyond Strategy.

• Marketing and Brand Management is also producing supporting/ complementary videos on the topics of experiential learning, student-centered education, and innovation for use in undergraduate digital efforts.

No.1 Regional University

• For the fifth consecutive year, Butler University was named the No. 1 Regional University in the Midwest, according to the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings (September 2022).

• Marketing and Enrollment teams are preparing to move Butler’s status from the Midwest Ranking to National Ranking category for the U.S. News and World Report

NCAA Tournament Host

Hinkle Fieldhouse served as one of six host sites in Central Indiana, playing host to 16 games of the 2021 men’s NCAA basketball tournament. The University received significant, positive media coverage and attention throughout the country and beyond (March 2021).

• Butler Blue III (Trip) and Butler Blue IV (Blue)

• Greeted more than 73,000 visitors

• Attended 53 events

• Passed out 22,500 pieces of Butler swag

• Helped the Butler campus host 4,000 visitors during a six-day period

I respect the strong growth mindset and visionary leadership I’ve witnessed. It is a privilege to lead this talented marketing team as we advance the Butler brand, reputation, and mission.

Sherry Wallace, VP for Marketing and Brand Management

OFFICE OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

The newly formed Office of Strategic Engagement (OSE) was established to elevate the University’s local, national, and global influence as a leader in higher education. OSE is focused on building mutually beneficial alliances and partnerships that advance the University’s strategic direction. Structurally aligned with Butler’s Office of the President and Office of Strategy and Innovation, OSE is purposefully positioned to facilitate efficient and productive collaboration between Butler University and our organizational partners.

Our Priorities

CORPORATE

Butler University is situated within the heart of Indiana’s business community. Butler supports corporate partners to achieve both immediate and long-term success through new market-aligned educational programs and innovative talent development solutions.

FOUNDATION

Butler University partners with many key foundations to develop creative solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. Butler is committed to bringing together resources, talent, and innovation to positively impact our local, national, and global community.

GOVERNMENT

Butler University is committed to working closely with our elected officials and government entities to advocate for policy in support of education, sustainability, access, and innovation.

EDUCATION

Government Relations

Corporate Partnerships Educational Partnerships

Office of Strategic Engagement

Butler is deeply committed to lifelong learning and forging new partnerships and pathways within P-12 schools, post-secondary institutions, and workforce-based training organizations.

COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD

Butler University is an anchor in the heart of Midtown Indianapolis, surrounded by historic and thriving neighborhoods. Butler is a proud and committed partner with the community serving non-profit and faithbased organizations, and local neighborhood associations whose missions enhance the quality of life for local residents. The OSE is particularly interested in partnering with community organizations that support community development, education accessibility, and underserved youth.

Foundation Relations

Comminity & Neighborhood Relations

Tradition + Innovation

Central to the Butler Beyond strategic direction is the commitment to embracing and supporting learners of all life stages and backgrounds. We recognize different learners have different needs and, therefore, may require different models of education.

The Butler Beyond strategic direction is based on advancing three models of education:

• Traditional, residential undergraduate model

• Lifelong learning model

• Founding mission model

Strategic Initiatives

Strategic commitments—relevance, value, distinction, innovation, effectiveness—as expressed by Butler’s campus community throughout the planning process, serve as the foundation for the Butler Beyond strategic direction.

Seven strategic priorities and 24 related initiatives have been established to focus efforts and advance each of the three models of education.

PRIORITY 1: Ensure the Accessibility, Relevancy, and Distinctive Impact of a Butler Degree

Initiative 1.1 Expand access to a Butler degree through the creation of new degree options, pathways, and partnerships

Initiative 1.2 Ensure the curriculum, pedagogy, and programs offered meet the evolving needs of our students, their future employers, and society at large

Initiative 1.3 Expand and enhance the practices that drive successful student outcomes

PRIORITY 2:

Enhance Holistic Student Well-Being and Engagement

Initiative 2.1 Advance student health and well-being

Initiative 2.2 Enhance opportunities for student engagement

PRIORITY 3:

Establish Butler as a Leader in Developing Future Models of Education

Initiative 3.1 Continually advance future-oriented and pedagogically sound educational practices and ideas

Initiative 3.2 Expand infrastructure and programmatic offerings that serve the needs of learners of the future

Initiative 3.3 Contribute to the transformation of higher education through the creation and support of new mission-aligned organizations

PRIORITY 4: Build a Culture of Empowerment, Engagement, and Accountability

Initiative 4.1 Empower Butler team members to work at their highest potential

Initiative 4.2 Increase leader proficiency as it relates to the people side of change and project management

Initiative 4.3 Create mechanisms to foster and promote faculty/staff well-being and engagement

PRIORITY 5: Create an Intentionally Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Learning and Working Environment

Initiative 5.1 Attract and enroll/hire students, faculty, and staff from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds and identities

Initiative 5.2 Support and retain students, faculty, and staff from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds and identities

Initiative 5.3 Cultivate connection and a sense of belonging for a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff

Initiative 5.4 Foster a culture of continuous DEI learning and development

PRIORITY 6: Strengthen the University’s Short- and Long-Term Operating Sustainability

Initiative 6.1 Build research and business intelligence capabilities to support data-informed decision-making

Initiative 6.2 Make the most and best use of campus space and assets to support Butler’s growth

Initiative 6.3 Improve key University-wide processes to optimize efficiencies, cost, and experience

Initiative 6.4 Implement student enrollment goals and strategies to support FTUG sustainability in light of competitive pressures and demographic realities

Initiative 6.5 Raise $100 million by May 31, 2025, focused on strategic fundraising priorities in support of Athletics, Academics, Arts & Access

Initiative 6.6 Enhance Butler’s commitment to environmental sustainability

PRIORITY 7: Advance and Strengthen Butler’s External Reputation and Brand

Initiative 7.1 Define, articulate, and measure awareness of Butler’s key differentiators

Initiative 7.2 Position Butler University as Indianapolis’/Central Indiana’s Premier Private University

Initiative 7.3 Attain best possible national university standing in key college ranking lists