Bluefield University’s Strategic Plan
Overview
Bluefield University’s strategic plan reminds us of our priorities as an institution. It exists to focus our efforts and resources, strengthen the mission, ensure that the campus community works toward common goals, and establish agreement around those intended outcomes. It shapes and guides who we are, who we serve, what we do, and why we do it, with a focus on the future.
Bluefield University prepares graduates with a sense of purpose and impactful vocations as it strives to be a premier Christ-centered, service-oriented, higher education institution with special emphasis on the Appalachian region and other underserved areas.
Bluefield University builds on its rich 100-year legacy of Christ-centered education as it focuses on sustainably offering high-quality programs that develop servant leaders who transform their world, starting in Appalachia but reaching other underserved communities throughout the Southeast and around the world.
Strategic Priority No. 1
A resilient and adaptive university with a strong financial foundation.
Performance Objectives
- 1.1 Develop and implement a comprehensive Enrollment and Student Success Plan, containing a value proposition, for sustainable growth in recruiting, retaining, and graduating Christ-centered and service-oriented students.
- 1.2 Develop and implement an integrated marketing strategy promoting awareness of and interest in Bluefield University and its program offerings.
- 1.3 Develop and implement an advancement plan with a focus on providing long-term stability.
- 1.4 Review all departments and programs for productivity and efficiency, rewarding innovation leading to sustainability.
- 1.5 Invest in the recruitment, development, and retention of high-quality employees at all levels of the institution to reduce turnover and foster stability, including faculty who are engaged in creating and supporting innovative programs.
Strategic Priority No. 2
A Christ-centered campus, delivering high-quality programs, excellent teaching, and vital contributions to the community and society in a vibrant yet affordable learning and living environment where students are developed with hearts to serve others.
Performance Objectives
- 2.1 Develop and implement an Academic Strategic Programs Plan that includes the development of flexible on-campus programs attractive to today’s traditional students and in keeping with the University’s Christ-centered, service-oriented focus.
- 2.2 Invest in the revitalization of facilities and technology throughout the campus to foster a vibrant learning, living, and working environment.
- 2.3 Create a Center for Faith and Learning to foster faith-integration and student-centered teaching approaches as well as faith-directed scholarship that contributes to community and society.
- 2.4 Develop and implement a regular process of program review to ensure programs are high quality, innovative, and viable.
- 2.5 Create a comprehensive college success program (undergraduate and graduate students, in person and online)
Strategic Priority No. 3
A ‘global’ campus providing high-quality, innovative, affordable, and marketable degrees in various modalities that meet the needs of communities throughout Appalachia and beyond that align with our mission.
Performance Objectives
- 3.1 Develop and implement an Academic Strategic Programs Plan that includes the creation of high-quality, innovative, affordable, and marketable degrees that lead to careers at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- 3.2 Strengthen the University’s instructional design team to ensure courses/programs are designed and delivered effectively.
- 3.3 Develop and implement a regular process of program review that ensures, in addition to quality, innovativeness, and viability, programs are following best practices for non-traditional education.
Strategic Priority No. 4
A highly sought-after partner for institutions and industries desiring to reach and meet the needs of communities that align with our mission.
Performance Objectives
- 4.1 Continue developing partnership programs with sister schools VCOM and ACP, as well as becoming a key ‘feeder school’ into their programs.
- 4.2 Develop a partnership with Appalachian College of Law to create master’s level programs, particularly in service-oriented fields.
- 4.3 Explore additional opportunities for delivering graduate-level programs in partnership with Indian River State College and other colleges that serve similar under-served communities but cannot offer graduate programs on their own.
- 4.4 Create seamless pathways for community college graduates.
