FROM PRESIDENT

Christine Pharr, Ph.D., President, Mount Mary University

Dear Mount Mary Alumnae and Friends,

As you read this letter, we will be approaching the end of the fall semester. What a great fall it has been, both by comparison to the last COVID year and in terms of our forward progress as a University!

It was a banner year for new student enrollment with the largest incoming class of new students in over 20 years. Our residence halls are close to full capacity and the campus is alive with the vibrant return of employees and students to campus. Mount Mary students are more diverse than ever and we have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as #1 in the Midwest for social mobility. Yes, COVID has changed us (in some ways for the better) and it has also made us appreciate the gift of community that is so valued at Mount Mary. Many have asked me to what do I attribute these wonderful successes. My answer is that it was no accident, nor was it just good luck. It is the result of following our strategic plan diligently and resolutely, despite the many challenges put in our path the last two years. In 2019, Mount Mary rolled out our 2019-2025 strategic plan. Because of the efforts of so many, we have made excellent progress on all five major initiatives in our first two years and we have plans for this year that will continue that work. In this letter I would like to highlight a few of those accomplishments and explain a context for many of our actions.

To set the stage for the foundations of the strategic plans, small colleges live or die by enrollment. So growing enrollment had to be a cornerstone of our plan, however, we also realized that there is much more than recruitment that creates strong enrollment; things like high-quality academics, student support, an inclusive environment, good facilities, high-demand programs and reasonable student costs are just a few. Our plan was developed with the backdrop of declining numbers of high school graduates both now and into the future. This means to enroll students our plan had to do all of these things exceptionally well.

An example from our strategic plan that has led to success thus far includes new program development that meets the needs of students today. The Compass Year program for undecided students, our Nursing 1-2-1 and the new bachelor of science in nursing program, our masters in dietetics, our doctorate in occupational therapy and the new Ph.D. in counseling education and supervision are all examples of high-demand programs that lead to good careers.

It was a banner year for new student enrollment with the largest incoming class of new students in over 20 years.

COVID required us to respond to the need for more remote delivery and thus our classrooms are now equipped with excellent technology and our faculty have developed new pedagogies that allow for more flexibility in course delivery. COVID made these changes a priority, but they were in the plan originally.

However, enrolling students is only part of the plan; keeping them is paramount. Strong leadership in student affairs has led the entire campus in creating and implementing a student success plan. This includes a revised new student registration event, an improved new student orientation and a new student mentor program. The development of Trinity Woods has not only created housing for School Sisters of Notre Dame, seniors and single mothers, but also an on-campus learning site for students in many disciplines, an on-campus child care facility and health care services for the campus that had not previously existed. Renovations across campus include the new Health Sciences Center, the chapel, music lab, virtual reality room and the first floor of Notre Dame Hall, and make Mount Mary an inviting institution. Finally, our focus on federal grant writing has led to over $19 million in funding over the last five years, nearly $8 million of it since August. (See page 29.)

There is much more, but suffice it to say that many people, on and off campus, have been instrumental in moving Mount Mary’s strategic plan forward. I am grateful for our outstanding faculty, staff and administrators who have taken ownership to implement our robust strategic plan. It is especially important to recognize their work at this time of transition as I approach my retirement this summer to move closer to family. I share my pledge to you that I will be working tirelessly in the coming year with a university of supportive personnel to ensure that Mount Mary continues to experience growth and success.

This year we will open Trinity Woods; roll out the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; implement mission committee initiatives; explore more community partnerships; and enhance our sustainability initiatives to name just a few of those on the docket. We have a busy year ahead and now more than ever, we thank you for all your support, prayers and contributions. We are all part of Mount Mary’s future success! n With gratitude,

Congratulations

to Dr. Pharr for being named a notable woman in education for 2021 by the Biz Times!

Read Dr. Pharr’s retirement announcement and stay informed on the search for the next Mount Mary president at mtmary.edu/presidentialsearch.

Stay up to date with Mount Mary events

EVENTS FOR ALUMNAE:

mtmary.edu/alumnae events

UNIVERSITY EVENTS:

mtmary.edu | calendar.mtmary.edu

Check these pages and stay informed of events, visit opportunities and webinars!