Strategic Plan 2022-2027 | UWC Costa Rica

2022-2027

Strategic Plan

Messagefrom theChairandHead

ThispastMarch,wehonoredourhistory, celebratedwhoweare,andgotexcited aboutourfutureduringthe15th AnniversaryofUWCCostaRica.Itwas remarkabletorealizehowmuchourschool hasgrownandwhatwehaveachievedover theseyearssincewetransitionedfrom beinganSOSChildren’sVillageHighschool. Withcommitmentanddetermination,we overcamemanyobstacles. Thisgivesus theinspirationandenergytomoveforward nowintoournextera. Morethanever,the worldneedsmoregenerationsofyoung peopletobepositivechangemakers, seekers,risk-takers,andglobalcitizens.

Weareveryexcitedtosharethisofficial presentationofournew5-yearStrategic Plan,whichrepresentsthecollege’s evolutioncomingfromourprevious StrategicPlan.Whilethepandemicdelayed

ourformalplanningprocess,thesetwo yearshavegivenusgreaterclarityofour visionandpurposeandshowedusthe path forward.

SUSTAINABILITYisourNorthStar. During thesetwoyears,wehavebeenexploring whatthattangiblymeansinhowwelive, teach,andlearnandhowwecontributeto beingproactivecitizensofthisplanet.Our 2022-2027StrategicPlansolidifiesthis overarchinggoalineveryaspectofour schoollifeandorganization.ThisPlan definesaclosecollaborationwithour environment,localcommunities,and CostaRica.

Ourconcretelong-termSustainabilitygoals ofthisStrategicPlanarerealistic.Two yearsago,EijkandRose-Marievan Otterloo’sgenerosityallowedustoacquire

landadjacenttotheBraulioCarrillo NationalParktobeginplanninganew sustainablecampusinthisunique environment.Theirextraordinary generosityandbeliefinUWCCostaRica willenableustobringmoreyoungpeople andeducatorstothistransformative experienceofliving,learning,and growingwithinnature.Intheselasttwo years,ourstudentsandteachershave beendeeplyexploringanddiscovering thegiftsandresponsibilitiesofthis exceptionalenvironment.

This2022-2027StrategicPlanalso underscoresouruniquelocationhaving CostaRicaasthehostcountry.UWCCosta Ricaisveryproudtobepartofacountry thatisarolemodelforsustainabilityand aleaderintheinternationalcampaignfor climatechangeaction.Wearecommitted tosupportingeducationinourregion throughincreasingLATACstudentsat UWCCostaRicaandasactive

collaboratorsandpartnerswitheducators andstudentsthroughoutCostaRica,Latin America,andtheCaribbean.Weaspireto bealeadingschoolinsustainability,and forthis,wehavecreatedaSustainability Framework.Weaspiretoupdateour educationalmodelconcerningthenew globalrealities.Wearecommittedto promotingwell-beingandcareinour communityandsurroundingareas.And todevelopevenmoreinstitutional maturitythroughefficiencyinallour operations.

Wehopeyouwillbeactivepartnersin realizingthisambitiousmission.Likeour students,weneedpeopleofcourageand conscience,audaciousoptimism,energy, andadesiretohelpusgivemanymore generationsofyoungpeopleavitalstart torealizetheirpositivegoals.

Insolidarity, SusanandMauricio.

MauricioViales HeadofCollege

SusanMullins ChairBoardMember

Acknowledgements

UWCCostaRica’sCommunity

TotheUWCCostaRicacommunity,which hascontinuallydemonstratedcourage, resilience,creativity,andahugeheartto overcomeeverychallengeovertheyears.

Shelby

Specialdonors

Manythankstoallourspecialdonorsfor theirsignificantsupportofUWCCostaRica throughourfirst15yearsandinhelpingus crafttheimportantfutureofourCollege.

&

GaleDavis

Rose-Marie& EijkvanOtterloo

“Feweducationalinstitutionsintheworldarereallycommittedto creatingaStrategicPlanalignedtotheirvisionandvalues,andfewer havethetalent,congruency,andspirittomakeithappen.Weare reallyhonoredtocollaboratewithUWCCostaRica,anorganization aheadofitstimeandarolemodelforhighschoolswantingtohave animpactonourmostpressingchallenges.”

GálikaTeam,Mexico.

ThankyoutotheGálikateam,RicardoHerreraand AntonioGalván,forcontributing,onaprobonobasis, toUWCCostaRica'sStrategicPlanningprocess. Weare gratefulforyourexpertiseandguidance.

Participants

Facilitators

RicardoHerrera,AntonioGalvánLuna,Gálika

México.PriscillaBogantes(UWCCostaRica ProjectCoordinator).

Leaders

SusanMullins(BoardChair)andMauricio Viales(HeadofSchool).

BoardMembers

EricMuñoz(BoardVice-President),Kevin FerreiravanLeer(BoardSecretary/UWC CostaRicaAlum),TomDickerson(BoardFinance/UWCAtlanticCollegeAlum),Laurie Frank(Board-EducationandGovernance), AngelPérez(Board).

ManagementTeam

AnnetteGrew(AdmissionsDirector), GuillermoChan(AdministrationandFinance Director),JosePabloRojas-Brewer (DevelopmentDirector/UWCUSAAlum),Lori Marek(Deputy Head), LuisAbarca(Co-

curricularDirector),NatalieTaylor (ResidentialLifeDirector),Vanessa Céspedes(HHRRDirector). Former directors:AbedeenRemtulla(Interim DeputyHead), NancySolís(FormerCocurricularDirector),LeilaMata(Former ResidentialLifeDirector).

Students&Alumni

AnugyaKoirala(StudentCouncil),Frida Figueroa(LatacFamily),SofíaPacheco´18 (CostaricanAlumni).

Educators

AndrésMontero(TheaterandFrench Teacher),SofíaQuirós(Sustainability Coordinator),CristinaGomar(Marketing andCommunications),AnaSobrado (ResidenceCoordinator),LorenaSilvestri (Outreach&Innovation).

NationalCommittee

IngridMadrigal(Admissions/CostaRica

Our EducationalModel

TheUWCCostaRicaEducationalModelisbasedontheUWCInternational EducationalModel.Fromnowon,emphasizingsustainabilityasacore competencyandintentionallyincorporating theexperientiallearningapproach inalleducationalprogramsoftheschool. Our Values UWC

Nature-Based Education

WeareHowWe

Alliances& Community Engagement

Actionsreferringto partnershipsandworking withcommunitiesin relationshipsof reciprocity

Architecture, Infrastructure& Landscape

Actionsrelevanttophysical space,anddesignofour structures,buildingsand spacesforlearningandliving

ourhabitsof

Sustainability Framework

ForthefirsttimeinUWCCostaRica'shistory, the CollegehasdevelopedaSustainability FrameworkthatservesasapillarfortheStrategic PlanProcess.Ourfocusonsustainability respondstothemomentofgrowthinwhichthe schoolfindsitselftowardstheconstructionofa newcampus,whichwillprovideexceptional educationalopportunitiesforyoungpeoplefrom allovertheworldtolive,reflect,understand,and putintopracticesustainabilityatanindividual andcollectiveleveltowardstheparadigmshift neededforasustainablefuture. Wehopeto successfullycarrythisthroughthewhole community’sengagementandtheeffortsdriven bytheStrategicPlanleaders.

TheProcess

Thestrategicplanningprocesswasinitiated byacommitteecomprisedofboard members,managementteamandstaff members,andGálikaconsultants,Antonio GalvánandRicardoHerrera,whodirectedthe routetoaccomplishthe2022-2027Strategic Plan.Thecommitteedefinedthecriteriato guidetheprocess,suchascontinuityand evolutionfromthepreviousstrategicplan, communityownershipandengagement, audacityandrelevance,accountability, clarity,andsimplicity.

Theprocessstartedwithanintense introspectiveexercisewheremany communitymembersgatheredinformation aboutthecurrentstateoftheschoolin aspectssuchasmissionfulfillment, uniqueness,growthandsuccess,regional impact,alumniengagement,marketposition, governance,educationalmodel,human resources,amongothers.Thisinformation wasanalyzedandusedasinputforinformed discussionsthatresultedinthepresent document.

TheStrategicPlanningsessionsincludedthe voiceofcommunitymembers,including students,educators,boardmembers,and alumni,allowingeveryonetoexpresstheir viewsandperspectivesonthefuture, makingthisacollaborativeanddemocratic exercisefordefiningthekeyfocusareasor StrategicLinesoftheschoolforthenextfive years.AlongwiththeStrategicPlan,we gatheredinformationfromthecommunityin theMarketResearchandSustainability Framework,whichnourishedtheStrategic Plan.

AfterthecreationofthefiveStrategicLines, themanagementteam,alongwithStrategic PlanleadersandBoardMembers,workedon definingobjectivesthatwillguideusfor5 yearsandinitiativestobedefinedand implementedonanannualbasis.Theplan willbeimplementedthroughthree-month sprintsthatwillendwithamonitoringand evaluationsessionwhereeveryStrategic LineChampionwillbeaccountableforthe resultsaccomplishedandsubsequentlywill beinchargeofdefiningthenextquarter's actionplan.

Themonitoringandevaluationprocessof theplanwillbeheldinternallyandreported annuallytoUWCCostaRica’scommunity throughvariouscommunicationchannels. Asisthecaseforsuccessfulstrategic processes,thisdocumentisnotcarvedin stone.Theimplementationofthestrategy willcontinuetobealivingprocess,adjusting tointernalandexternalcircumstancesto respondtochallengeswhilemaximizing opportunities.

Weareveryproudtosharewithallour communitytheplanthatwillkeepleading ustobecomethebestversionof UWCCosta Rica.

ThePlan

Inalignmentwiththemostpressingglobal challengesandthecommitmentto sustainabledevelopment,peace,and education,withspecialemphasisonLatin AmericaandtheCaribbean,UWCCosta Rica's2022-2027StrategicPlanplaces sustainability,reciprocity,anditsprinciples asthecore.

Sustainabilitydefinedinitsbroadestmost holisticsenseasamindsetandethical guidelineforbalanceandwellbeing.

Sustainabilityof theplanet,itsecosystems, andourliveswithinit.Thisviewunderstands environmental,social,andeconomic sustainabilityasconcentriccircles,where natureencompasseseverythingandall humanactionsarebutoneelementwithina muchlarger,sharedcommunityoflife.

Sustainabilityishowwecarefor,adaptto, andlearnfromthelimitsandgiftsofnature.

Movingfurther,weembracetheconceptof reciprocity,asemphasizedbyJeffNorris (BiologyTeacheratUWCCostaRica):

“Theconceptofreciprocityisdeeply rootedinindigenouswaysofknowing, basedonexperience,observation, experimentation,butalsoinvokesa somewhatspiritualcomponentorkinship. Humansarepartofnature.”

Reciprocityisthereforeanessential componentinunderstandingourselvesas partofaninterconnectedanddiverse whole,whereeachactionhasaneffecton somethingelse.

UWCCostaRica, SustainabilityFramework, ExecutiveSummary.

EveryStrategicLine,objective,andinitiative definedinthisStrategicPlancontributesto biggeractionlinescontainedinthe SustainabilityFramework,suchasNaturebasedEducation,StrategyandGovernance, WeareHowweConsume,Architecture, InfrastructureandLandscape,Partnerships andCommunityEngagement.

ThecommitmenttheCollegeassumestoday challengesandencouragesourcommunityat alllevels.Oursuccessdependsoncollective andindividualactionscontributingtothe commongood.Inthecomingyears,our expandedvisionfortheCollegewillinclude moreteenagerswhofaceincreasinglydifficult realitiesintheworld,especiallyintheglobal south.Wewillexpandourpartnershipswith morepeopleandalliedorganizationswho shareourvaluesandmissiontotransform livesthrougheducation.

ThesearethefoundationsonwhichUWC CostaRicawillcontinuetotangiblybuildour visionandmissiontoprovidea transformative“wholelife”educational experienceforyoungpeoplefromtheregion andaroundtheglobeandtobethechange makersneededtomakesustainability,peace, andcourageousleadership.

YearOne Initiatives

StrategicLines &Objectives

[SL1]|Transitiontoacultureofsustainability

Champion:SustainabilityCoordinator

Notonlydowewanttoattractthenext generationofcommittedstudentsand educatorstobepartofthemuch-neededglobal sustainablesolutions,wealsowanttobean exampleofsustainabilityinallaspects;from operationsandrelationshipwiththe surroundingareaofthecampusandhosting country,tothefinancialmodelandbalanced lifestyleofourcommunity.Placingattentionon thetransitionperiodtogetthere,wewilldefine thebestwayforwardtoachieveacultureof sustainability.

[O1]

[SL]=StrategicLine [O]=Objective

ImplementandembedtheSustainability Frameworkintothe operationsand infrastructureofUWCCostaRicato contributetoacultureofsustainability.

[O2]

Ensurearesponsibleandintegrated strategytotransitionthecampusfrom SantaAnatoSanIsidro.

[O3]

MakeUWCCostaRica’ssustainabilityculture visible,transparentandclearlycommunicated amongallareasofthecollege.

[SL2]|Growingoureducationalmodel

Champion:DeputyHead

UWCCostaRicawillofferaninnovativeand holisticeducationalexperiencebasedonthe principleofsustainabilitythroughan intentionalengagementwiththecommunityin acaringandnurturingenvironment.

[O4]

UWCCostaRica'seducationalmodelwillbe alignedwiththecollege'ssustainability frameworkandexperientialeducationapproach andtheLatin-AmericanandtheCaribbean context,throughaco-creationprocess.

[SL3]|LifeBalance

Champion:HHRRDirector

Tofulfillourmission,weneedtoprovideour studentsandeducatorswithalifestylethat promoteswell-being.Thisincludes,butisnot limitedto,emotionalsupport,competitive compensation,work/personalintegration, downandrechargetime,effectiveHHRR strategies,anddevelopmentopportunities.

DevelopandimplementaHuman Resourcesstrategytoenable work-lifebalance.

[O5] [O6]

Developandimplementaholistic strategytoensureeducators'physical andemotionalwell-being.

[SL4]|Alignmentofthefinancialmodel

Champion:Finance&AdminDirector

UWCCostaRicaneedstodevelopasolid financialmodelthatguaranteestherequired resourcestosupportimpactandscaleaswell asthenewinfrastructure(campus).Weneedto findawaytocounterbalancethedependency onthecurrentadmissionsmodelwith additionalincomesourceslikeasolidoutreach program,substantialfundraising,andeffective attractionstrategies.

[O7]

Provideasustainableandrobust financialmodelthatensuresthe fundingofanewcampusanda robustscholarshipprogram.

[SL5]|Integratedandefficientsystems

Champion:ITCoordinator

AtUWCCostaRicawehavestructuredsystems andefficientpoliciesanddecision-making protocolsthatallowustohavesolidplanning andexecutioninalloperations.Weoperate proactivelyratherthanreactivelywithahigh degreeofautonomyandaccountability.

[O8]

Developandimplementadecision-making modelinallthegovernancestructures, informedbytheSustainabilityFramework.

[O9]

Establishandcommunicateafoundationfor businessexecutionthatoutlinestheoperating model,enterprisearchitecture,and engagementmodel,toincreaseefficiencyand systemsintegration,inalignmentwiththe SustainabilityFramework.

YearOne Initiatives

[SL]=StrategicLine

[O]=Objective

[I]=Initiative

[SL1]|Transitiontoacultureofsustainability

[I1]

Implementthechange managementmodelregarding theCultureofSustainabilityin ordertodefineclearoutcomes fortheSustainabilityFramework ImplementationProcess.

[I2]

Pilotandimplement sustainabilityactionsthrough existing,relevantstructuresand areas(Residential,Admissions, DevelopmentandGeneral Services(Kitchen)forthefirst semester).

[O2]

[I3]

Carryoutasocialimmersionprogram thatincludesculturalmappingand appropriatemethodologiesfor responsibletransitionintoSanIsidroas wellasaclearexitstrategyfromSanta Anatoensurepositiveandreciprocal relationshipswithneighboring communities.

[I4]

Ensuretheappropriatedevelopmentof thenewcampusprojectregarding design,useofmaterialsandspace,due diligence,cleanenergiesand technologies,alignedwiththe educationalmodel.

[SL2]|Growingoureducationalmodel

[O1] [O4]

[I7]

Developasharedunderstanding andalignmentofthe EducationalModel(including Academics,Co-curricular, ResidentialLife, Sustainability andAdmissionsStrategy)while nurturingeducators' engagement.

[I8]

Ensuretheco-creationofanincreasingly experientialmodelofcollaborative learning(bothinsidetheschoolandin theirlargercommunities)that emphasizesreflection.

[I5]

DesignandimplementaSan Isidrotransitionprogramfor educatorsandtheirfamilies.

[O3]

[I6]

Promoteprojectsthatvisibilize sustainability-relatedactions withintheCollege,especially student-ledprojectsrelatedto traceability,responsible consumptionandwasteand transparentprocessesand managementofresources.

[I9]

Completeyear1requirements fortheCISReaccreditation andIBSelfEvaluationProcess.

[SL3]|LifeBalance

[O5]

[I10]

Developtheschool'scompensationand benefitspolicyanddefinetheimplementation strategyforthefollowingfouryears.

[I11]

[O6]

NoinitiativesforYear1.

Developandimplementanorganizationalclimatesurveyandactionplanto contributetothebestworkingenvironmentandworkcultureintheCollege.

[SL4]|Alignmentofthefinancialmodel

[O7]

[I12]

Securethefundingforthenew campus.

[I13]

Defineamarketing,communications, publicrelations,branding,recruitment, salesstrategyandstructure.

[I14]

OutreachBusinessModelisdefinedand implemented.Startpromotionandpresales.

[SL5]|Integratedandefficientsystems

[O8]

[I15]

Analyzethecurrentdecision-makingprocessesinallthe governancestructures(BoT,MT,Staff)tohaveabaseline diagnosticcompared/informedtogovernancemodels proposedinthesustainabilityframeworkanddefinea recommendationplan.

[O9]

[I16]

Definethevisionofthearchitecture,the operatingmodelandthereference businessarchitectureofUWCCostaRica.

[I17]

Defineaclearsetofindicatorsforthe Monitoring&Evaluationprocessofthe SustainabilityFrameworkImplementation.

SecondYear Initiatives

StrategicLines &Objectives

[SL]=StrategicLine

[O]=Objective

[SL1]|Cultivatingaholistic,experiential,andsustainability-based educationalmodel

Co-Champions:Sustainability Coordinator&DeputyHead

UWCCostaRicawillofferaninnovative educationalmodelalignedwithourmission, values,andprinciples.Thisimpliesaholistic, experiential,andsustainability-based educationalmodelconnectedtotheLatin AmericanandCaribbeancontext.

[O1]

Createaneducationalmodelalignedwith ourmission,values,andprinciples.

[SL2]|ManagingaResponsibleTransitiontothe NewCampus

Champion:TransitionManager [O2]

Asweanticipatetheinaugurationofournew campusandprepareforthetransitiontoour newrealityinSanIsidro,ourcommitmentliesin creatingastudent-centeredenvironment alignedwithournewmission.Weprioritize informedandcollaborativedecisionsthat achieveabalancebetweenacultureof sustainabilityandfiscalresponsibility,ensuring aconscientiousapproachtoresource utilization.

Ensureanewcampuswitharesponsibleand integratedtransitionfromSantaAnatoSan Isidro.

[SL3]|LifeBalance

Champion:HHRRDirector

Tofulfillourmission,weneedtoprovidethe staffwithalifestylethatpromoteswell-being. Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,emotional support,competitivecompensation,work/ personalintegration,downandrechargetime, effectiveHHRRstrategies,anddevelopment opportunities.

[O3]

DevelopandimplementaHuman Resourcesstrategytoenable work-lifebalance.

[SL4]|Alignmentofthefinancialmodel

Champion:DevelopmentDirector

UWCCostaRicaneedstodevelopasolid financialmodelthatguaranteestherequired resourcestosupportimpactandscaleaswell asthenewCampus.Weneedtofindawayto counterbalancethedependencyonthecurrent admissionsmodelwithadditionalincome sourceslikeasolidoutreachprogram, substantialfundraising,andeffectiveattraction strategies.

[O4]

Provideasustainableandrobust financialmodelthatensuresthe fundingofanewcampusanda robustscholarshipprogram.

[SL5]|Integratedandefficientsystems

Champion:Finance&Operations Director

AtUWCCostaRica,wewillbestructuring systems,refiningpolicies,andestablishing decision-makingprotocolstoenablesolid planningandexecutionacrossalloperations. Wewilloperateprioritizingthecultureof sustainabilityandfosteringacultureofhigh autonomyandaccountability.

[O5]

Developandimplementadecision-making modelinallthegovernancestructures, informedbythesustainabilityframework.

[O6]

Establishacomprehensiveoperationalmodel toensureincreasedefficiency,andsystems integration,andtofosteracultureof sustainabilitythroughouttheorganization's processesandstructures.

SecondYear Initiatives

[SL]=StrategicLine

[O]=Objective

[I]=Initiative

[SL1]|Cultivatingaholistic,experiential,andsustainability-based educationalmodel

[O1]

[I1]

Ensuretheco-creationofa holistic,experiential,and sustainability-basedEducational Modelalignedtoournew mission.

[I2]

CompletetheCISandIBselfstudies,meetsubmission deadlines,andhostthe synchronousvisit.

[I3]

Integratewellnessandsafety componentsintotheshared understandingandalignmentofthe EducationalModel,emphasizing holisticdevelopment,proactiverisk management,andasupportive environment.Ensurecompliancewith childsafeguardingstandardsand establishprotocolsforaddressing studentwell-beingandsafetyconcerns.

[I4]

Promoteprojectsthatmake sustainability-relatedactionsmore visiblewithintheCollege,especially student-ledprojectsrelatedto traceability,responsibleconsumption andwaste,andtransparentprocesses andmanagementofresources.

[SL2]|ManagingaResponsibleTransitiontothe NewCampus

[O2]

[I5]

Implementrelevant collaborationswithcommunity membersasdefinedbysocial immersionprogramwithSan Isidrocommunity.

[I6]

Ensuretheappropriatedevelopmentof thenewcampusprojectregarding design,useofmaterialsandspace,due diligence,cleanenergiesand technologies,alignedwiththe educationalmodel.

[I7]

Defineandimplementa transitionstrategythat ensuresaninformed, empatheticandsmooth transitionprocess.

[I8]

DesignandimplementaSanIsidro transitionprogramforstaffandtheir families.

Second

[SL3]|LifeBalance

[O3]

[I9]

Definethecompensationstrategyforthefollowing fouryears.

[I10]

Implementanorganizationalclimatesurveyand actionplantocontributetothebestworking environmentandworkcultureintheCollege.

[I11]

Systematizeauniqueperformance evaluationprocessandgenerate spacesforfeedbackandprofessional development.

[SL4]|Alignmentofthefinancialmodel

[O4]

[I12]

Continuesecuringthefundingforthe newcampus.

[I13]

DefinewhichEndowmentFundModelto follow,tosecurefuturescholarships funding.

[I14]

Defineamarketingand communicationsstrategyfor recruitment,outreach,andpublic relations.

[I15]

Theredefinedproductcatalogis functionalandinthetestingperiod.

[SL5]|Integratedandefficientsystems

[O5]

[I16]

Conductacomprehensiveassessmenttoevaluatethe alignmentofexistinggovernancestructuresanddecisionmakingprocesseswithsustainabilityobjectives,while identifyinggapsandareasforimprovementinintegrating sustainabilityintodecision-making.

[I17]

Conductacomprehensiveassessmentofthe organization'scurrentoperatingmodel,enterprise architecture,andengagementmodeltoevaluatethe efficiency,integrationlevels,andsustainability integrationgaps,therebyidentifyingareasfor improvementwithintheexistingfoundation.

[O6]

[I18]

Implementandsystematizesustainability actionsthroughexistingoperational structuresandareas.