GTU 2.O — Catalyzing the Spirit of Innovation for Changing Times Strategic Vision | 2021–26

GTU 2.O

Catalyzing the Spirit of Innovation for Changing Times STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

GTU 2.O

THE GTU JOURNEY: Rooted in Faith, Growing in Possibilities “ The GTU is a unique

community, formed from a series of covenants, agreements, and contracts.

Remarkable things have happened in the GTU, there is much unfinished business underway, and there are possibilities as yet unexplored.”

— Claude Welch, Annual Report of the Dean & President to the Board of Trustees, September 15, 1973

A

t the GTU, these words carry as much resonance today as they did 47 years ago.

Join us in exploring possibilities for the future of religious and theological education as the GTU boldly embarks on a new vision for the 21st century.

Shifting Spiritual Contexts: An Opportunity to Shape the Future of Theological Education The world of religion and spirituality is at an inflection point. Institutions dedicated to fostering spiritual exploration must heed the call to meet the changes demanded by our moment.

How the world is changing: ■ T he appetite for spiritual guidance and fulfillment is high and intersects with many areas of modern life: business and economics, arts and culture, academia and education, social and political.

■ R eligious affiliation will never look the same. In the Northern hemisphere, religious affiliation is on the decline—even as it continues to grow rapidly in other parts of the world. Bridging both requires fostering meaningful connection and catalyzing transformative change on a global scale, informed by the wealth of wisdom across faith-based traditions.

Opportunities for higher education to meet the need: ■ The dynamics of engagement are changing in an accelerated way, including: ❚ Greater use of new technologies ❚ Higher expectations for career outcomes ❚ Intersection with professional development and personal enrichment The GTU is seizing this opportunity to respond by bringing forth a new vision: GTU 2.0.

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

GTU 2.O

A BOLD NEW STEP: Introducing GTU 2.0

I

n this unique time of change and transformation, the GTU aspires to build upon our legacy as a leader in theological education and interreligious dialogue and collaboration, using it as a springboard to take a leap forward in our evolution: GTU 2.0

The GTU is poised to sharpen its focus to achieve a much-needed goal: Becoming the foremost destination for moral and ethical leaders to create a more just, loving, and sustainable world.

The road to GTU 2.0’s success will include: ■ S trategically shifting our institutional focus and resources. The GTU is responding to our changing times by making fundamental structural shifts, including enhanced use of technology to offer greater access to learning—particularly through remote modalities, and the introduction of hybrid and fully online degree and non-degree programs of study.

■ B ecoming the higher education leader for spiritually-rooted study, service, care, and social justice on a global scale. Scholars with a strong desire to pursue a meaningful vocation and to do good in the world are eager to leverage higher education as a pathway to realizing their vision. We will develop new initiatives that seek to advance social justice, broaden the impact of spiritual discernment, and fortify moral and ethical values in the private sector and beyond.

The GTU cultivates interreligious understanding and courageous partnerships to foster spiritually-grounded action in the creation of a just and loving world.

■ C ultivating an ecosystem of creativity, connection, and community. Using the technological and informational tools available to us, the GTU is creating a borderless environment for learning and sharing wisdom from the world’s many spiritual pathways and traditions with the world at large through an exciting new initiative: GTUx. A multitude of scholars, seekers, and other spiritual “entrepreneurs” are yearning to change the world for the better. The GTU is uniquely positioned to provide the resources, training, and support for the next generation of innovators and visionaries to fulfill their vocation.

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

GTU 2.O

Our Renewed Purpose and Criteria for Success

T

o fulfill this purpose, GTU is building on our history as the most comprehensive center for the graduate study of the world’s spiritual, religious, and wisdom traditions in America to further broaden our reach.

How We Will Measure Success GTU 2.0 will dramatically expand the GTU’s global footprint, reaching more people and more points of engagement than at any time in our history.

To achieve these goals, the GTU has committed itself to achieving each of the following criteria for success: ■ A mbitious and Bold Initiatives: The GTU’s newest initiatives aim for nothing less than a transformative opportunity to shape the future of theological education.

■ S erving a Broad Population: At a time when spiritual wellness and fulfillment are clear priorities for so many, our inter-religious and multicultural approach creates a broad platform for engagement.

■ L iving our Unique Promise: There is no other institution in the world like the GTU, and this is our opportunity to emerge as the premiere institution to train the ethical leaders of tomorrow.

■ L eading for the Future: This is not only a moment to respond to a changing world, but to lead and steer the direction of inter-religious study, opening up innovative pathways and schools of thought.

GTU 2.0 aims to create measurable impact in the world through its increased reach, as well as through the real-world contributions of the scholars who come to us for training, inspiration, and ultimately to make a difference.

■ Creative Partnerships: Through collaborating with organizations in the development of new programs and curricula designed to meet the growing need for spiritual guidance, we are evolving our ecosystem of shared values and commitments.

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

GTU 2.O

Building GTU 2.0

T

o accomplish our purpose, the GTU has identified key areas through which we will facilitate the changing needs of a broad range of students.

Reimagining services to offer greater access to learning Many of our newest initiatives are based in using technology and remote modalities to provide the greatest access possible to the wisdom resources available at the GTU, including enhanced digital library services and innovative digital-first course offerings.

Program Innovation to reflect viable career pathways and outcomes With a shifting landscape of career opportunities post-graduation, we are designing new programs and content to allow scholars to pursue the pathways that are most meaningful to them, including a new doctorate program focused on the practical application of theological learning, as well as a new, fully online Master of Arts program.

GTUx: A new way to think about content GTUx will serve as an authoritative resource for topics relevant to interreligious life, learning, and leadership as informed by the work of faculty and students across the GTU consortium, as well as the GTU’s extended network of alumni and other luminaries.

Part production studio, part public programming initiative, part streaming service, GTUx will partner with the Digital Learning Team and others to create an array of digital media for the consortium’s benefit and use, including pre-recorded video, livestream, audio, and other pedagogical tools. Content will be tailored to suit the needs and address the learning styles of laypersons, degree-seekers, and organizations alike.

Through the use of enhanced technology and reimagined content, GTU 2.0 is revolutionizing the ways that spiritually-rooted learning is delivered and consumed.

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

GTU 2.O

An invitation to join us in forging the future of religious education

F

rom its founding, the GTU has been an experiment rooted in faith.

United in common cause of exploring in the ways that the world’s spiritual traditions inspire meaningful change in the world, the GTU has always been open to new pathways and possibilities.

Today, we foresee both a challenge and an opportunity to take a giant step forward in our evolution as the premiere center for spiritually-rooted higher learning.

Through innovative programs, content, services, and partnerships, “GTU 2.0” will reach a greater audience than ever before, increasing its reach and creating an impact on a global scale.

This is also an opportunity for organizations and individuals with similar goals to partner with us to make this aspiration a reality. Now is the time to begin imagining the possibilities together.

“ Religions are trying to

prop up congregations rather than attending to the ways in which spiritual life is shifting.”

— Wendy Cadge, Brandeis University

To learn more, please contact:

Uriah Kim, President

Bill Glenn, Chair, GTU Board of Trustees

ukim@gtu.edu

Graduate Theological Union 2400 Ridge Road Berkeley, CA 94709

GTU.2.O | STRATEGIC VISION | 2021–26 | gtu.edu

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