To achieve the goals of this strategic plan, the college will develop and pursue targeted strategies to
Increase enrollment and retention of undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and non-degree-seeking students
Enhance fundraising, marketing and grant-seeking capacity
Develop long-term financial and information technology plans
Launch a comprehensive campaign
Specific targets by 2014 include:
- A sustained enrollment of 1,000 degree-seeking undergraduates through recruitment and retention strategies designed to maintain student academic quality and enhance geographic, racial and cultural diversity
- An average annual headcount of 200 students enrolled in new and existing post-baccalaureate degree and certificate programs that enhance the college’s mission, generate revenue and are highly entrepreneurial in responding to non-traditional student needs and market trends
- One or more non-degree educational programs that promote the college’s visibility, enhance the use of campus facilities and generate revenue
- Initiatives that improve the college’s ability to attract students from across the socio-economic spectrum, making an Agnes Scott education more affordable for talented students of limited financial means while also increasing the number of students able and willing to pay a greater share of the cost of attendance
- A Research Team to coordinate institutional research and assessment and build a culture of evidence-based institutional planning and policy-making
- A multi-constituency Retention Team to study reasons why students persist or withdraw and develop strategies that improve student retention
- A new vice president for communications and marketing to lead an effort to build Agnes Scott’s national and regional reputation and market the college’s programs to target audiences
- An Office of Faculty Grants to increase grant-seeking and support excellence and innovation in research and teaching
- An improved long-term budgeting process that
- employs a five-year financial model for revenues and expenditures with targets for balance among funding sources of tuition, endowment, annual fund and grants
- incorporates multi-year plans for investing in technology and library resources and for addressing deferred maintenance across campus, especially residence halls
- identifies and meets increased staffing needs that accompany program growth and incorporates financial sustainability into project planning
- A strategic plan for off-campus properties that provides decision principles for selling/acquiring property, sets standards for property maintenance and explores options for supporting faculty and staff homeownership in Decatur
- A comprehensive campaign to raise both operating funds and endowment to help achieve the goals of this strategic plan.