Deliver Relevant and Dynamic Academics

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The University will create and sustain a culture of academic excellence, program relevance and positive outcomes to ensure that degree programs produce graduates who are responsive to the needs of employers and society and who enhance the University’s reputation and identity.

Competence and compassion employed in service to others remain hallmarks of the Mercy and Jesuit traditions. University of Detroit Mercy reaffirms its commitment to the development of students by providing the core academic and experiential learning opportunities that empower graduates to pursue life-long learning, and to lead and serve in their communities.

The University will recommit to the mission of assisting all students, graduate and undergraduate, to find their calling and to connect their talents, strengths and passion to their sense of purpose and abilities needed for a lifetime of meaningful work in their communities. The University will enhance and capitalize on the integrated themes in the core curriculum that serve as the connective tissue that bind together the Detroit Mercy experience for all undergraduate students.

Goal 2 Strategies

Strategy 2.1: Establish a process for ongoing and comprehensive academic program evaluation

The University will thoughtfully evaluate academic programs and delivery methods with consideration to the shifts in the landscape of higher education and the demographic context, as well as financial viability.

Strategy 2.2: Support the academic enterprise with alternative revenue streams

The University will increase its efforts to identify and secure alternative revenue streams, including the development of innovative business partnerships, expanded sponsored research, expanded external funding for student scholarships and intrapreneurial endeavors. Revenue streams beyond tuition and traditional fundraising will enhance the University’s financial health and secure it well into the future.

Strategy 2.3: Coordinate marketing and recruiting with academic goals

A robust, well-planned, coordinated, and well-funded marketing and recruitment program is essential to spread widely the academic focal points to prospective students and potential external partners.

Strategy 2.4: Invest in effective and high-quality teaching, advising and mentorship

By featuring academic excellence as a key institutional characteristic, a high-quality student experience must continue to be delivered. Continuous improvement, therefore, will require additional investment to support excellence in teaching, mentorship and faculty development.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Number of student majors per program (target >20)
  • Student/faculty ratio
  • Allocated capital for relevant and dynamic teaching and learning spaces
  • Sponsored research awards and alternative revenue streams
  • Media/social media engagement rates
  • National rankings
  • Accreditation recognition
  • Benchmarking comparison measures with peer institutions
  • Student satisfaction rates with respect to academics, teaching and faculty.

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Action Plans

  • Invest in strategic data collection and analysis.
  • Establish school and college growth targets.
  • Create a comprehensive academic program evaluation process
  • Support and promote the generation of alternative revenue streams, e.g., sponsored programs, research, student fellowships, etc.
  • Coordinate strategic academic goals with admissions and marketing.
  • Promote externally-accredited programs and nationally-ranked programs.
  • Develop a strategy for graduate recruiting and invest in regional recruiting.
  • Improve website and social media with a recruiting focus
  • Support teaching effectiveness, evaluation, and faculty development.
  • Invest in teaching technology paired with teaching and collaboration spaces.
  • Support experiential learning & Co-ops.

GOAL TWO IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

For questions about the strategic plan, please contact us at strategicplan@udmercy.edu.