Strategic Plan Update: Year 2 (2023–2024)
Merit University | 2023–2027 Strategic Plan
As we advance into Year 2 of Merit University’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, we are proud to share key milestones that reflect our ongoing commitment to growth, academic excellence, student success, and institutional capacity. These achievements directly support our mission to provide diverse groups of domestic and international students with an affordable, high-quality education rooted in community-building and global engagement.
Goal 1: Achieving Sustainable Growth and Maintaining Affordable Tuition
Strategic Enrollment Planning and Outreach
- Employed predictive modeling to enhance enrollment forecasting and support strategic decision-making.
- Developed a targeted recruitment strategy, including a social media calendar highlighting student life and alumni success stories.
- Launched advertising campaigns on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to broaden outreach and attract mission-aligned students.
Institutional Transparency and Accountability
- Published a Key Performance Indicators (KPI) dashboard on the institutional assessment webpage to track progress and ensure accountability in strategic efforts.
Goal 2: Enhancing Academic Quality and Student Learning Outcomes
Curriculum Alignment with Industry Trends
- Utilized core competency data to revise academic offerings in alignment with emerging employer demands.
Faculty Support and Online Teaching Excellence
- Invested in faculty training programs focused on online pedagogy, instructional design, and digital engagement strategies.
Accreditation Readiness and Oversight
- Established accreditation steering committees and focus groups to coordinate
- Conducted weekly stakeholder meetings and created a centralized repository for accreditation documents.
- Assigned WSCUC liaisons and conducted a successful mock accreditation visit to prepare for formal evaluation.
Goal 3: Demonstrating High Levels of Student Success
Evidence-Based Learning Assessment
- Standardized reporting templates to assess student learning outcomes using both input (e.g., GPA) and output (e.g., capstone performance) metrics.
- Applied findings to enhance teaching quality and program
Benchmarking and Peer Comparison
- Identified peer institutions and launched an annual benchmarking initiative to evaluate and refine student success strategies.
Career Development and Support Services
- Introduced a new “Career Hub” on the university website, offering downloadable resources, career tips, and job board access.
Institutional Research and Data Capacity
- Formed a cross-functional Institutional Research Committee to lead data-driven decision-
- Invested in advanced analytics tools and dashboards to improve data accuracy and accessibility.
Goal 4: Building a Culture That Supports Student Success
Capacity Building and Institutional Alignment
- Developed hiring plans and onboarding systems aligned with institutional values and growth priorities.
Streamlined Assessment and Faculty Engagement
- Implemented user-friendly assessment tools and launched a centralized dashboard for tracking progress.
- Trained faculty and staff in strategic planning, assessment, and student outcome monitoring through shared governance.
Policy and Professional Development Enhancements
- Reviewed and revised hiring, promotion, and orientation policies to reflect a commitment to the institutional mission.
- Updated the employee handbook with board-approved
- Launched peer-learning communities and held quarterly in-service workshops focused on pedagogy, assessment, and technology integration.
Looking Ahead
These accomplishments represent Merit University’s dedication to educational excellence, student-centered learning, and strategic growth. As we move forward, we remain focused on fostering an inclusive and globally engaged academic community that prepares students to lead and serve across the world.
