Strategic Plan Dashboard
A new dashboard developed by IT&S reports on strategic plan related initiatives complete or in progress at MSVU.
Strategic Theme 1
Transformative teaching and learning
MSVU will promote an inclusive, dynamic, current and personalized teaching and learning environment focusing on nurturing informed, critical, socially responsible and socially just global citizens.
Key measures: MSVU enrolment trends
There have been year-over-year increases in the following categories at MSVU between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 academic years: full-time undergraduate enrollment, overall full-time, and International enrollment. During this same period, there have been decreases in part-time undergraduate, full-time and part-time graduate, and total part-time enrollment.
Undergraduate Enrollment (FT)1
Percentage of MSVU co-op/WIL grads who felt prepared for the workforce a er their co-op/ work-integrated learning experience2
1Source: Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Preliminary Enrolment Survey data – 2022-2023 to 2024-25 (https://atlanticuniversities.ca/stats/statistics-surveys-of-preliminary-enrolments/)
2Source: Responses by MSVU co-op/work-integrated learning students to a survey of MSVU graduates by the Mount Saint Vincent University Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning Centre
Empowering educators
Nearly 500 attendees at 30+ MSVU Teaching and Learning Centre events in 2024-25, focusing on topics including generative AI, building community in classrooms, blended course delivery and EDIA.
Program development
2022-23
30+ Teaching and Learning resources created for faculty in 2024-25, with tools including videos, an infographic and a self-paced module, and text documents.
Successfully launched continuing education/microcredentials at MSVU with two pilot offerings reaching 130 learners
2023-24
Developed Ready to Lead, a six-module non-credit microcredential leadership training program for frontline health care professionals. This was made possible with a $150,000 grant from the NS Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration and non-financial development support from Northwood and Shannex
2024-25
Successful delivery of Ready to Lead to two cohorts of learners, with full completion of the program by June 2025, and a new partnership with Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development to redevelop it
Ensuring quality programs
In the past three years, MSVU has undertaken numerous major program reviews (including external reviews) and developed new programs toward providing the best possible academic experience for students.
2022-2023
2023–2024
Eight programs approved by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission for postpandemic/continued online delivery: Business, Tourism, Psychology, Child and Youth Study, EdTech, and more.
Early Childhood Education (Concentration)
M.Applied Human Nutrition, MSc
A.H. Nutrition
2024-2025 (In Progress)
All Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages programs
What’s next?
Master of Child and Youth Study (NonThesis)
Chemistry, Sociology & Anthropology, Joint MA in Gender & Women’s Studies
Applied Human Nutrition, Communication Studies (all but BA COMM), 7 Graduate Ed programs
14-month BEd, PsyD, Aging Major, Family Science, MSc Natural Sciences, Grad Cert in Nutrition & Aging
Strategic Enrolment Management Plan Launch: Fall 2025
• Draft framework ready following extensive consultations
• Holistic approach targeting student journey from recruitment to graduation
• Aligns resource allocation with university priorities and mission-critical impacts
PsyD in School and Child Clinical Psychology: Launching September 2026
• Program development underway; Initiative to include four new residency positions in NS
• Preparing doctoral-level psychologists to provide youthfocused services
• Features province’s first child psychology training clinic at MSVU Academic
Child & Youth Study, History, Business, Tourism B.Ed Accreditation
Portion of programs at MSVU with a work-integrated learning opportunity attached.
Strategic Theme 2: Research, scholarly work
and professional activity
MSVU will advance research, scholarly work and professional activity among faculty, staff and students, especially as it relates to the advancement of women, girls and other marginalized and underrepresented groups, social responsibility and social justice.
Key Measures
Total SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC Research Funding
$5,000,000
$4,500,000
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
New Research Grants to Advance EDIA and Truth & Reconciliation
In support of strategic pillars in both the MSVU Strategic Plan and the MSVU Research Strategic Plan (2023-2028), the MSVU Research Office is launching a special call for two new internal grant opportunities to support projects that foster inclusive research and increase excellence, innovation and creativity in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility and Truth and Reconciliation:
EDIA in Research Grant will support capacity to integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in research practices at MSVU. This grant provides up to $2,500 for Knowledge Mobilization projects, and up to $5,000 for research projects, over one year. Up to two grants will be funded.
OCAP Training Grant will cover the cost ($500) of The Fundamentals of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) online course that explores First Nations self-determination, self-governance, and collective rights to data sovereignty. Up to 20 grants will be funded.
These grants will be adjudicated by the Committee on Research and Publications (CRP).
579,000
The number of unique reads of the 49 articles published by 33 MSVU faculty members via The Conversation Canada since MSVU began submitting research-related stories.
In the last 12 months alone, there have been 189,102 reads of stories submitted by MSVU faculty members.
What’s next?
The Research Office is updating MSVU's research expertise database (a valuable tool for media relations and otherwise), and developing a Research Office annual report.
MSVU is recruiting a new Tier II Canada Research Chair (Health Communication), with the successful candidate expected to begin in fall 2026. The home department for this tenure-track position will be determined in alignment with the candidate's academic and scholarly background.
Advancing Dimensions
We continue to participate in the federal Tri-Agency Dimensions program to advance EDIA in research - the only Nova Scotia university participant. Currently led by Dr. Phillip Joy, the Dimensions Committee is overseeing the implementation of MSVU's Dimensions Action Plan.
Strategic Theme 3:
Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility
MSVU will be a safe and welcoming place for all through our unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).
Key Measures
82.1%
↑ 12.1% increase
in MSVU’s retention of Indigenous students and students of African descent between 2022 and 2024, with the rate rising to 82.1% from 70%
Strengthening Diverse Voices
Since 2022, MSVU’s leadership has become more diverse and representative of our university community.
• MSVU’s Management Forum team now includes:
• An EDIA Advisor
• Special Advisor to MSVU on Indigenous Affairs
• Harassment and Discrimination Advisor
• MSVU Senate has also designated a L’nu representative seat
We’ve also added new resources to support campus belonging and inclusion, including:
• Counsellor specializing in supporting LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities
• Indigenous Student Support Advisor
• African Nova Scotian Community Pathways Navigator
Countries represented by MSVU’s diverse student population
What’s next?
MSVU’s first Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Action Plan (Fall 2025 Launch)
• Our new EDIA Action Plan EDIA Is All of Us will provide strategic direction and a map for continued progress in our work to advance EDIA.
• The plan will include seven EDIA-oriented aspirations with each supported by a series of strategies and actions.
Accessibility Plan (Spring 2025 Launch)
• We’re in the process of updating the MSVU Accessibility Plan.
• The refreshed plan will guide our work to provide full and equitable access to education, programs and services. MSVU’s commitment to accessibility prioritizes institutional accountability within a human rights framework.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Census
• In a new EDIA Census, we’ll ask respondents to self-identify based on a number of characteristics.
• The survey will be rolled out to faculty and staff first, and then to students at a later stage.
• Data we gather will be critical in guiding in our efforts to ensure inclusive spaces, programs and services.
Office of Equity, Human Rights, and Indigenous Relations (Spring 2025 Launch)
• In early 2025, MSVU’s Office of Equity, Human Rights, and Indigenous Relations was established to better coordinate the university’s equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
• The Office includes the university’s EDIA Advisor, Harassment and Discrimination Advisor, Special Advisor, Indigenous Affairs.
• The group will be coordinating work related to various plans, actions and commitments related to EDIA on behalf of the university.
Strategic Theme 4: Truth and Reconciliation
MSVU is committed to Truth and Reconciliation and to promoting Indigenous world views in the work of the institution. A focus on women and girls is critically important to this work.
Key Measures
171% increase in the number of Indigenous-focused courses at MSVU in the 2024-25 academic year as compared to the 202223 academic year (19 courses in 2024-25 vs 7 in 2022-23).1
Community engagement Across Mi'kma'ki
Curriculum integration Indigenous knowledge
Indigenous student cohort First of its kind in Canada
Fall 2024 Launch: Kinu Tourism Project
Partnership between Indigenous community leaders and MSVU Tourism and Hospitality Management
67 Indigenous students have participated since 2019 in the Aboriginal Academic Access to PostSecondary (AAAPs) partnership between the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and MSVU.
Indigenous tourism growth Sector development
Research report Charting a Course Kinu (Together)
Cultural preservation Mi'kmaq traditions
A 32.35% increase in Indigenous student enrolment at MSVU from 2022-23 to 2024-25
1Source: MSVU undergraduate and graduate academic calendars for 2024-25 and 2022-23.
New Indigenous Student Support Position
• Newly recruited Indigenous Student Support Advisor.
MSVU’s commitments to Indigenous Peoples
• In consultation with community and committees, we’re currently assessing progress and remaining gaps with respect to MSVU’s 2021 Ceremony of Apology and Commitment. We last assessed our progress on these commitments in June 2023.
Strategic Theme 5: Community engagement
MSVU will build stronger societies together by enhancing access to education, partnering with communities to identify and solve problems and building a culture of collaboration where no voices are silenced and all can engage.
Key Measures
200
MSVU faculty, staff and students took part in MSVU’s new Campus Exchange series in fall/ winter 2024-25.
Sessions to date have focused on topics including the Kinu Tourism Project, US Presidential election, artificial intelligence and strategic enrolment management. The series will continue in the next academic year.
583 alumni members took part in 14 MSVU alumni events in 2024-25
6,500 views of our top five news stories on MSVU.ca
3,800 spectators attended MSVU basketball, volleyball and Halifax Hornets MWBA home games during the 2024-25 season.
More than 1,000 participants in MSVU youth camps from summer 2024 to now, with 98% of available spaces sold 2025 MSVU summer camps are already nearly sold out.
A 100% increase in initiatives funded outside of operating grants in 2024-25 over 2023-24:
• $5 million in provincial and federal government funding for MSVU’s Child Study Centre expansion
• $7.9 million in provincial funding for MSVU’s new Doctor of Psychology (or PsyD) program and mental health clinic
→The new Centre for Child Study at MSVU will triple the number of child care spaces we offer (from 40 to 122) while significantly expanding our capacity and leadership in early childhood teaching and research.
What’s next?
Putting ideas into action
A new President’s Fund – Special Projects category is supporting initiatives aligned with MSVU’s mission, vision, values, and strategic direction for which there are no other sources of funding.
Students, faculty and staff can submit project ideas across four categories, including community engagement (strengthening MSVU’s relationships with external communities through meaningful collaboration) and fostering a healthy campus (enhancing the physical, mental, and/or social wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff).
Artist's rendering of MSVU's new Child Study Centre.
Strategic Theme 6: A healthy and safe university campus for all
People are the foundation of our university and we will work to further develop a campus environment where the health and well-being of faculty, staff and students is paramount.
Key Measures
Among MSVU students responding to the 2024 Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey:
81%
Agreed with the statement “If I needed to seek professional help for my mental or emotional health, I would know where to access campus-based resources (online or in-person)” and "Would not feel embarrassed if a friend knew they were getting professional help for a problem"
331 MSVU faculty, staff and students certified in Mental Health First Aid via the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with participants developing practical support skills through a comprehensive curriculum.
What’s next?
Major gym refurbishment
%
Would feel comfortable talking to a professional about personal problems
MSVU's Wellness Committee organized 8 lunch and learns and social events that a total of more than 300 faculty and staff members attended in 2024-25. The committee includes representatives of all of the university's employee groups along with several additional volunteers.
Home to some of the best varsity teams in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, as well as intramurals, club sports and community activities, the A. Garnet Brown Gymnasium at MSVU is in the midst of some renovations. Improvements will include a refreshed floor, new spectator seating, new dividers, and new score clock systems – all intended to help us better serve our students, faculty and staff and surrounding community, and increase accessibility.
Strategic Theme 7: Operational excellence and sustainability
Build a well-resourced university that will remain financially, operationally and environmentally sustainable in a constantly evolving geo-political and environmental climate.
Key Measures
20% increase in fundraising cash revenue from April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2024
250% increase in Giving Tuesday fundraising from 2021 to 2024
25% increase in number of expectancies (future donations including gifts in wills and life insurance policies) and a 192% increase in the estimated value from April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2024
37% growth in the value of the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement from 2020-21 to 2023-24
Creating
a more accessible campus
Campus facilities improvements completed at MSVU since 2023 have:
created accessible residence rooms, laundry facilities and washrooms at Assisi;
provided better entrance and patio access at Seton and Rosaria;
improved the Assisi wheelchair ramp and Evaristus stair lift.
What’s next?
MSVU's focus on sustainability continues to grow. Our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint is captured in MSVU’s Facilities Improvement Plan (FIP). Our Facilities Management team, working closely with the student-led Environmental Committee, leads our sustainability initiatives and collects and reports data demonstrating our progress. As part of these ongoing efforts, we launched the MSVU E-Bike Rental Program at our 2025 Earth Day celebration. Electric bikes can now be rented by members of the MSVU community. The electric aspect of the bikes will help propel riders up campus hills with ease and offer an eco-friendly transportation option.