Mission, Vision and Strategic Direction

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Mission, Vision and Strategic Direction

Note: The mission and vision statements below were adopted by the Rockford College Board of Trustees in 1994 and 2003 respectively. The college is now undergoing a two-phase strategic planning process under which these statements are being reviewed.

Mission:
Our mission is to educate men and women to lead responsible lives by means of a curriculum grounded in liberal arts learning and complemented and extended by professional and practical experience. Through the total academic and co-curricular experience, Rockford College strives to prepare students for fulfilling lives, careers, and participation in a modern and changing global society.

Vision:
Our vision is to be Jane Addams’ college in the 21st century.

Strategic Direction:
Strategic planning is a tool for organizing our current work on the basis of the projections for the desired future. In other words, a strategic plan is like a road map to lead the college from where it is now to where it would like to be in five or 10 years.

In 2008, Rockford College began a broad-based strategic planning process that will position it for the future. Through input gathered from students, faculty and staff as part of Phase I, the plan has thus far resulted in the strategic goals outlined below. Phase II of the process is underway and will provide more advanced, long-term goals for the college. All elements of the plan, including any changes to the mission and vision statements, will be presented to the Rockford College Board of Trustees for approval in 2010.

I. We will enhance academic quality through curriculum review, faculty development and learning assessment.

Enhance academic quality
Research and review current and new programs
Enhance academic linkages with the community

II. We will define and improve our student experience from recruitment through graduation.

Develop and implement a comprehensive Enrollment Management Plan that addresses the value question
Develop Rockford College to be the standard of excellence in student development and civic engagement

III. We will develop and support our Rockford College faculty, staff and trustees.

Enhance faculty, staff, and trustee development
Increase the standing of Rockford College’s faculty and staff in the area of compensation relative to its peer group
Strengthen assessment and evaluation throughout the organization for staff and faculty
Enhance communications to create a strong sense of community

IV. We will improve our organizational skill and culture.

Use information gathered during the 2008-2009 Higher Learning Commission process to further our organization’s skill and culture
Create a culture of information, assessment and accountability and report regularly to the Board of Trustees
Increase our safety and security preparedness through enhanced safety efforts and complete emergency planning

V. We will support and enhance our physical, technological, and informational infrastructure.

Secure our physical infrastructure
Improve our technological infrastructure with sustainable models and enhanced structure
Improve informational infrastructure to support information based decision making

VI. We will be an active and collaborative partner with our external community.

Communicate the value of Rockford College to the community
Foster community collaborations
Integrate and leverage the community education programs

VII. We will be a trustworthy partner with all of our stakeholders in order to strengthen our development and fundraising in preparation for a capital campaign

Increase alumni awareness of and participation in the life of Rockford College
Increase participation in the Charter Fund
Implement a multifaceted stewardship program
Engage regularly in government, foundation and corporate grant programs

VIII. We will be successful and realistic in our fiscal planning and budgeting

Strengthen our fiscal viability
Define financial equilibrium and create a five-year planning model to assure continuous improvement in operations and in strategic initiatives
Refine the budget process

Rockford College Learning Expectations
Knowledge – for Understanding the world
Values – for Envisioning the world
Skills – for Shaping the world

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