Strategic Plan (2022-2027)

STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2027 VISION Become widely known as a model Christian liberal arts university that is exceptional at integrating faith and learning.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

MATTHEW 5:14-16

MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY is an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution and has as its purpose the offering of programs of study leading to professional certificates, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees in an environment where academic excellence is emphasized and a Biblically based Christian perspective is maintained. The University is committed to enriching its students’ lives spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, and to preparing students to serve in a global and culturally diverse society.

CORE VALUES • We are serious and intentional about our Christian faith.

• We will freely and responsibly search for truth.

• We strive for excellence.

• We believe in the importance and cultivation of character.

• We believe in social change through service and leadership.

STRATEGIC PLAN THEMES

TRANSFORMATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES

ADVANCING OUR INFLUENCE

THRIVING FINANCIAL FUTURE

EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE

Create Inspiring Learning Environments

Grow Enrollment

Invest in Comprehensive Student Success

Build Leadership Capacity

Retain More Students

Expand Giving

Remove Roadblocks to Student Retention

Gather & Leverage Outcomes Data

Integrate Calling & Vocation Across the Curriculum

Clarify Identity & Story

Increased Net Revenue

Attract & Retain Great Team Members

Optimize Program & Experience Mix

Promote a Culture of Care, Belonging, and Community

Build & Enhance Strategic Partnerships

Train & Deploy Human Resources Effectively

TRANSFORMATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES As a distinctively Christ-centered community, MBU will provide transformative student experiences for a diverse student body that integrates unwavering Christian commitment, academic excellence and co-curricular engagement that is a model within higher education. MBU is dedicated to purposeful and exceptional student internships, mentorships and providing experiential learning to help students determine and pursue God’s calling on their lives.

CREATE INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS • Establish robust living and learning environments that inspire, enlighten and empower students to be their best.

• Create a physical environment that is aesthetically pleasing, well maintained and positions MBU as one of the most attractive campuses in the Midwest.

• Promote a Christ-centered campus climate where all members are respected, supported and valued.

RETAIN MORE STUDENTS • Cultivate a vibrant student experience that enhances a sense of community and affinity for the University resulting in increased retention, persistence and graduation rates.

TRANSFORMATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES REMOVE ROADBLOCKS TO STUDENT RETENTION • Invest in digital processes that streamline student services, including business office, financial services and enrollment functions.

• Enhance support systems and structures that respond to the students’ emerging intellectual, spiritual, physical and social needs.

INTEGRATE CALLING & VOCATION ACROSS THE CURRICULUM • Initiate academic and co-curricular programs aimed at more fully developing learning outcomes that introduce students to a Christian liberal arts education.

• Develop and expand exceptional student internship, mentorship and experiential learning to help students determine and pursue God’s calling on their lives.

• Establish a teaching and learning center that emphasizes Faith and Learning Integration that supports faculty and staff as they teach, advise and inspire students.

ADVANCING OUR INFLUENCE Through a variety of strategic initiatives- including church and organizational partnerships, heightened brand awareness, enrollment growth, alumni engagement, fund development and outcomes data- MBU will emerge at the forefront of Christian higher education in the Midwest. This will result in an increasing number of graduates who live and share the gospel in word and deed.

GROW ENROLLMENT • Develop and execute a strategic enrollment plan that significantly grows undergraduate main campus, graduate and online enrollment over the next five years.

• Create and implement an exceptional visitor/guest experience that derives from a culture of Christ-like hospitality encompassing all areas of the University.

• Establish and cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with the church, corporations and organizations to develop enrollment pipelines while proactively addressing community and marketplace needs

EXPAND GIVING • Plan for a comprehensive fundraising campaign that increases endowment and annual giving, funds capital improvements and promotes planned giving among alumni and others.

• Engage and connect alumni to the University by developing programs and initiatives that build lifelong connections and increases philanthropic support.

ADVANCING OUR INFLUENCE GATHER & LEVERAGE OUTCOMES DATA • Conduct market research and expand a dashboard of key performance indicators that assess institutional health and promotes insightful decisionmaking.

• Gather and communicate alumni achievements and leverage employment data to highlight the return on investment of an MBU education.

CLARIFY IDENTITY & STORY • Expand strategic thought leadership, to position MBU as a leading voice of Christian higher education in the Midwest.

• Invest additional resources aimed at branding and marketing initiatives to enhance the University’s reputation and visibility among constituents and throughout the region.

THRIVING FINANCIAL FUTURE To fulfill its mission and achieve its vision, MBU will advance a financial model that is flexible, resilient and that promotes ongoing financial strength, stewardship, and viability for the future. The University will focus its attention on strategically important programs and activities that complement the mission of MBU, improve financial margins and implements technology that reduces operating costs and improves student services.

INVEST IN COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUCCESS • Reimagine scholarship modeling and tuition cost structure to provide students greater accessibility and affordability while meeting University revenue goals.

INCREASED NET REVENUE • Conduct a comprehensive financial audit of the regional learning centers, academic and athletic programs to ensure optimal fiscal stewardship.

• Improve University financial planning and analysis to secure long-term fiscal discipline and sustainability.

THRIVING FINANCIAL FUTURE OPTIMIZE PROGRAM & EXPERIENCE MIX • Identify and launch new academic programs and co-curricular offerings that meet the demands of the marketplace and complement MBU’s mission.

• Utilize innovative technology to enhance student experiences and foster best business practices across the Institution.

BUILD & ENHANCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS • Expand and strengthen a broad range of strategic partnerships with educational and healthcare organizations, corporations, churches, philanthropic foundations and key vendors.

EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE MBU’s culture of care, belonging and community is an expression of the University’s Christian identity. Accordingly, MBU will promote an entrepreneurial environment that leverages human talent and diversity to achieve success as well as implement initiatives that provide opportunities for team members career growth, advancement and that effectively utilizes human resources to support University operations and promotes flourishing employees.

BUILD LEADERSHIP CAPACITY • Promote an entrepreneurial culture among our faculty, staff and administrators that leverages human talent and diversity to achieve our desired success.

• Implement initiatives for supporting, training and developing current employees providing opportunities for career growth and advancement.

ATTRACT & RETAIN GREAT TEAM MEMBERS • Conduct a comprehensive review of MBU’s compensation structure that reenvisions employee salary and benefits.

• Allocate additional resources for faculty and staff professional development that aligns with the strategic plan.

• Reimagine, redesign and develop innovative faculty and staff workspaces and remote work arrangements designed to maximize employee productivity and serve students well.

EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE PROMOTE A CULTURE OF CARE, BELONGING & COMMUNITY • Expand faculty and staff camaraderie and service opportunities as well as express employee appreciation.

• Promote and expand a culture of trust and transparency through open communication and collaborative decision-making.

TRAIN & DEPLOY HUMAN RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY • Establish a Human Resources Department to centralize policies, procedures, employee training and operations.

STEPS TO SUCCESS Articulate a clear vision.

Develop solid strategies.

Implement practical systems.

Practice relentless execution.