Goal One: GROW Strategically
Goal One: GROW Strategically
At its October 2019 Board meeting
the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees affirmed the Strategic Plan
revisions, which are now identified as the FPU Strategic Map 2019-2022. Over
the past two years students, staff, faculty and trustees have provided input
for clarity in institutional direction. The university’s revised vision statement
approved in June 2016 and the Fresno Pacific Idea are the driving forces that framed the overarching goals of the map.
Over
this next semester, we will dedicate each Connections to highlighting
progress, plans and projections on the work toward our five goals. I will
introduce the goal during the first week of each month followed by colleagues
across campus who will address the objectives. We will hear from members of our
community about strategic implementation, proposed innovations and progress
toward objectives.
Following the acronym GEIST, which identifies the goals, we will introduce each
goal with its objectives. During the month of January, we will review GROW Strategically;
February – ENGAGE Collectively; March – INNOVATE Creatively;
April – SERVE Courageously; and May – TRANSFORM Purposely.
The five goals (GEIST), inspires our community in corporate application and
cooperation to strengthen our resolve to actualize the Idea.
We expect contributions and support in each of these areas across the university.
Departments and divisions will provide annual action plans which will be
assessed at the end of each semester. All work in these areas will be posted on
the institutional website. A review of our progress will be reported at the end
of each academic year and during the State of the University Report.
As
a reminder, the University Vision Statement approved June 2016 is as follows: Fresno Pacific is a
vibrant Christ-centered university that is transforming California’s Central
Valley and global communities through exemplary service to students of all
ethnicities and cultures. Innovative programs encourage academic and
professional excellence, peacemaking, social justice, ethical leadership,
holistic wellness and spiritual vitality.
Goal One: GROW Strategically
Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes…Do not be afraid, you will not be put to shame (Isaiah 54:2,4).
We have broadened our borders from Merced to Bakersfield. Now we must steward
the ground we have gained. The Idea challenges us to extend the
influence of the Kingdom of God through our students. One way to extend that
influence throughout the Central Valley is to expand opportunities for high
school and community college students to obtain bachelor’s degrees. Our
accelerated programs at our regional campuses have grown through those who have
left community colleges at some point and decided to pursue a degree later in
life.
Research by the College Futures Foundation reveals that increased four-year
degrees are vital to the economic development of the Central Valley. Numerous
students who apply to the CSUs and UCs are experiencing increasing difficulty
in securing a place at a four-year university. Most recently over 74,000
students who were eligible for the CSUs and UCs could not find a place due to
the lack of capacity of the publics to serve. The Futures report is expecting
this demand to increase and has identified the Central Valley as one of the two
most critical areas. The state and regional communities have identified a
critical need where FPU is able to grow capacity and serve. This extended
growth will testify to our commitment to engage the cultures and serve the
cities in the region.
There
are four objectives under Goal One:
- Increase the overall average student population to 5,000 students per semester, including 1,200 TUG students.
- Increase scholarship/annual fund revenue through a comprehensive fund development plan which includes greater alumni participation, broader donor-base and grant development.
- Expand revenue streams that support improvement of academic programs and innovative initiatives.
- Build and restore facilities that aid recruitment, encourage alumni loyalty and strengthen the university’s image.
We trust that these Connections in the coming semester will be informative and keep the FPU community abreast to our corporate progress in meeting each objective. The approved Strategic Map is posted on the President’s page on the intranet. The President’s Cabinet will be inviting members of the community to contribute to this media dialogue over this spring semester. You will also notice that our goals (GEIST) will be posted and viewed electronically on all our campuses. The President’s Office welcomes any stories or anecdotes that may encourage the community as we move forward in living out the Fresno Pacific Idea. Please submit these to featureme@fresno.edu