Strategic Plan

Mission

To develop whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service. MC aspires to produce the Ideal McPherson College Graduate honoring the values of our founding Church of the Brethren heritage.

Vision

To set a new trajectory that transforms the student experience and builds a modern destination learning community.

Culture

Learning happens best in community. The MC community is committed daily to a culture that:

• Embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strives to be a “Great College to Work For” by nurturing the intellectual growth and wholistic health of its members
• Empowers an entrepreneurial spirit with bold goals
• Leverages an adaptive leadership mindset, providing the MC community tools to solve big challenges
• Adopts a career-oriented approach to liberal arts
• Understands that the world is changing and students need to be prepared for a workforce that is global, environmentally aware, and increasingly virtual
• Serves beyond volunteerism

MC’s culture is integrated into four strategic initiatives: Academic Program Growth Mindset, East McPherson, Wellness and Inclusion, and $1B Endowment.

1. Academic Program Growth Mindset

Thinking differently across the campus to attract and retain students serious about their education, life, and career through quality employees, programs, and spaces.

Outcomes: 1,500 Students; 80-85% Student Retention; 85% Minority Student Retention; 65% Graduation Rate; 95% Career Placement Rate; Average Debt at Graduation Less Than $10,000 Per Student; 100% of Need Met for All Students; 1,000 Alumni and Friend Mentors; 50M Media Impressions

Initiatives

• Growth Mindset—Expand approach to growth beyond enrollment expectations to include leveraging academic leadership focus that includes individual growth, quality, and innovation in teaching and learning
• Growth by Applying What We Learn from Automotive Restoration Success—Identify characteristics that will create centers of excellence in key disciplines, align resources, and integrate key success factors across departments
• General Education—Provide context and excellent learning opportunities for students in a general education program focused on innovative approaches to the liberal arts and effective pedagogical methods; leverage technology to meet students in their space and model the virtual world around us
• Student Financial Freedom—100% need met and Student Debt Project
• Team You—Advising, mentorships and MC Student Experience Framework
• Enterprising MC Student Model—Integrated model that plots student career development with entrepreneurship, service, and international perspective
• National Awareness Campaign—Growth from Denver, OKC, KC, and Omaha markets

2. East McPherson

Transitioning from a traditional residential campus to a modern living community meeting students’ needs inside and outside the classroom.

Outcomes: 500,000 sq. ft. New and Remodeled Campus Space; 85-90% Students Living in Campus Community Space; $100M Retail, Commercial and Industrial Development

Initiatives

• East McPherson Campus Master Plan—Comprehensive plan for facility and land use, including new, reused, updated, and expanded spaces
• Euclid Corridor—Employee, guest and affinity housing
• Education Hub—Remodeled and expanded campus including new Campus Commons; Boiler House Event Center and Market; Learning Commons in Miller Library; Mohler academic space; Student Wellness Center; Hotel/Convention; First Year Housing
• Residential District—East of the Hub create a 2nd through 4th year housing community
• Athletic Spaces—Create a plan for current facilities and Bulldog Park
• McPherson Technology Center—Expanded automotive restoration space, with consideration for engineering program development, automotive collection center, test track, and automotive- and transportation-related business development

3. Wellness and Inclusion

Designing an inclusive community where institutional and individual holistic wellness is valued.

Outcomes: 90-95% GCTWK Satisfaction; 50% Employee Participation in Wellness Programs; 100% Employee Development Plans; 75% Race and Equity Center Score; 500% Increase in Applications for Job Openings

Initiatives

• Kansas Leadership Center Small-Town Inclusion Project—MC partners with local business and industry to create a national small-town inclusion model; Focus on Hiring equity-minded employees
• Whole Person Program—Introduce physical, mental, spiritual, financial, cultural, and vocational engagement opportunities for campus employees
• Wellness Scorecard—Develop a scorecard to better understand the comprehensive health of the campus, students, employees, and constituents
• Employee Space—Reimagine space for employees to work, live, and enjoy life in McPherson to attract and retain the best talent
• Employer of Choice—Top compensation, benefits, and professional development; Expand opportunities to secure a more qualified hire through virtual employment and remote options

4. $1B Endowment

Securing MC’s future with the resources and support needed to live out the mission and vision and to execute the Community by Design 2.0 plan.

Outcomes: $500M Raised in Non-Binding Endowment Commitments; $3M Raised each year in Budget Relieving Gifts; $50M Raised for Capital Projects; 15,000 New Alumni and Friend Donors; 100,000 Alumni and Friends In-Person and Online Engagements at MC Sponsored Events

Initiatives

• Heritage Roll of Honor—Continue to drive planned-gift endowment commitments
• Building Community Campaign 2.0—Complete Building Community and launch $100M campaign
• #BulldogPride—Drive in-person and online engagement as well as signature mentoring programs through the Student Debt Project, career- and minority-mentoring programs utilizing the virtual Bulldog Network platform
• Local Engagement—Partner with the local community and neighborhood to shape MC