Illuminate (continued)

STUDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS: CLARIFIED ACADEMIC CHOICES

The university provides students with a clear pathway, broad awareness and understanding of the opportunities available for them to achieve their academic, life and career goals including life after college.

1. Develop effective and integrated systems for academic advising, life calling, career planning and student success coaching and mentoring opportunities.

2. Engage and involve university graduates and practicing professionals as volunteers, mentors and resources to enhance and broaden student career and vocational experiences.

3. Build a student-focused career and life planning process that includes preparation and training for success in the world of work including a process to document personal growth, vocational experiences, internships, community service and leadership experiences.

The university has stewarded its financial resources wisely and effectively during challenging times and circumstances. It must act now not only to ensure sustainability but also position itself to ascend and overcome the current and emerging economic challenges and in doing so be known and measured by the stories of its graduates and their life experiences.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY: ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AND

Realignment

The university develops and implements a comprehensive program for the training and development of faculty and staff as leaders and educators and increase capacity by realigning the academic and organizational structure as necessary to promote institutional effectiveness, quality service and financial stability.

1. Build structures and strategy to attract and retain talented faculty and staff who are committed to excellence in Christ-centered higher education and represent diverse ethnicities, global understanding and diverse experiences.

2. Align personnel and organizational structures to represent current needs, maintain cost efficiency and be supportive of institutional strategies, initiatives and vision for the future.

3. Annually audit, assess and review personnel and benefit costs within established margins and adopt parameters necessary to achieve net revenue goals.

4. Conduct a comprehensive audit of all personnel, positions and duties and take steps to align with current university strategies, financial goals and operational efficiencies.

5. Develop competitive salary and benefit packages designed to attract and retain personnel within the framework of a realigned organization and staffing model.

6. Create enhanced search process and plan to recruit persons of color who are committed to Christian higher education as faculty, staff or in key administrative positions.

7. Develop a structure and process to engage a volunteer network of retired faculty and community members who can assist in a variety of capacities by serving and supporting university programs and services.

INTERNAL PROCESSES: REVENUE AND EXPENSE ALIGNMENT

The university will achieve long term financial health and stability through revenue and expense realignment and do so in a manner that supports excellence in programs and services while promoting net revenue growth, operational margins and return on investment.

1. Promote net revenue growth through the realignment of all sources of revenue and expenditures to achieve a minimum annual operational surplus of $1M.

2. Review and align university traditional scholarship and financial aid structures as necessary to produce a minimum .5% reduction in discount rate annually and minimum goal of 52% of gross tuition revenues within five years.

3. Conduct an operational budget audit to update and realign expenditures based on a “zero based” budget concept as a benchmark to guide future budget allocations and planning.

4. Annually review and develop competitive tuition and fees structures that reflect operational costs and achieve net revenues goals and profitability.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES: FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND TARGETED FUNDRAISING

The university leverages strength and momentum in fundraising and aligns initiatives to promote future capital improvements, financial reserves, increased endowments and estate gifts to include targeted strategies that reduce or eliminate institutional debt and support the advancement of the university, its programs and its ongoing viability.

1. Develop and implement advancement strategies to sustain and grow unrestricted gift income minimally by 10% annually to achieve a minimum of $650,000 annually by 2030.

2. Review and develop a new comprehensive capital campaign based on the adopted strategic plan, a revised campus master plan, debt reduction and targeted special projects.

3. Promote utilization of campus facilities by external groups and organizations and achieve Conference Services revenues to a minimum of $600,000 annually.

4. Recognize and sustain church educational budgets through effective communications, recognition, and emphasis of its essential support for Nazarene student and ministerial dependents scholarships.

5. Seek greater opportunities for grants and gifts that align and support the organizational mission and strategic plan.

STUDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS: EXEMPLARY OUTCOMES AND UPLIFTING STORIES

The university establishes itself as a leader in higher education and is known for its focus on the substantive and transformational care of individual students whose collective stories give witness to the effectiveness, identity and affirmation of the university and its mission.

1. Develop systems and processes to gather inspiring stories of students and create a strategy to communicate these stories as the substance of our institutional mission and identity.

2. Develop and implement a communication strategy to effectively tell the MNU story in a manner that will engage future students, alumni, the Church, the campus community, friends of the university and the greater regional community.

3. Build and strengthen the university communications systems and processes as necessary to increase regional awareness, engagement and involvement in the life and success of the university.