Build for a Lifetime by bethanywv0

BUILD FOR A LIFETIME A 3-Year Strategic Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Ken Bado, Chairman of the Board

The Strategic Planning Joint Working Group

The Strategic Planning Process

The Vision for Bethany College Build for a Lifetime

Our Five Objectives

The Bethany College Strategic Plan

Compelling and Distinctive Academic Programs

11 13 15 18 19

A Transformative Student Experience Financial Strength and Institutional Stability A Sustainable, Competitive, Optimized Campus Strategic and Substantial Partnerships

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Alexander Campbell founded Bethany College to provide the best possible education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, critical thinking and a commitment to creating a better world. As it continues to evolve, Bethany will draw on that legacy to guarantee the college’s long-term existence and success as it faces significant demographic, social and workforce trends that challenge our mission. In 2021, the College, the Board of Trustees and a wide spectrum of stakeholders undertook an ambitious project to assess the state of the College and its ability to thrive in future years. We learned that Bethany’s history and traditions are a tremendous asset for the College as it adapts to a time when the very nature of a four-year education is changing, and students and parents seek out new kinds of preparation from the colleges that shape their lives. With that understanding, we set out to develop a three-year strategic plan for Bethany’s academics, operations, enrollment, fundraising and infrastructure, designed to make the Bethany experience more attractive to more students from around the globe. A Strategic Planning Joint Working Group comprised of faculty, trustees and staff undertook a months-long planning process, incorporating ideas and feedback from hundreds of stakeholders from across the wider Bethany College community. The resulting plan, Build for a Lifetime, was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees in January. The threeyear Bethany blueprint recognizes that Bethany’s path to growth requires: • • • • •

Believing in Bethany and thinking boldly. Unlocking a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Investing in the student experience. Listening to community stakeholders and forging value-enhancing partnerships; and Driving philanthropy and enrollment growth for Bethany’s financial future.

Bethany will grow even stronger by re-evaluating its course requirements, offering highly sought-after graduate and undergraduate programs, increasing engagement with students and alumni and fostering community partnerships. The College will build the Bethany College School of Graduate Studies beyond the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning program introduced in Fall 2021. New graduate programs will include limited residency programs and 4+1 master’s degrees that will allow students to complete a master’s degree in one year after completing a Bethany bachelor’s degree. The faculty recently approved plans for a 4+1 M.B.A., a Master of Science in Management of Business Cybersecurity, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. The College has already submitted the programs to the Higher Learning Commission for approval. Alumni are emphatic about the value of the education and the traditions that have made them successful, while current and prospective students express a desire to build their own experiences. With Build for a Lifetime, Bethany College retains Campbell’s enduring mission and values and maps a path for future success. Bethany must and will commit to a bold vision for the future and a culture of operational excellence that is grounded in the College’s liberal arts traditions. That is exactly what Build for a Lifetime does. There is a lot of work to be done to successfully implement this exciting vision, and I invite each of you to join us on this important journey in the weeks, months, and years ahead. Many thanks to all of you who helped us assess the College and chart our course for the future, especially the faculty and staff who make the Bethany education truly powerful. Sincerely,

Ken Bado ’77,

Chair, Bethany College Board of Trustees

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THE

STRATEGIC PLANNING JOINT WORKING GROUP

The Strategic Planning Joint Working Group served as the steering committee for stewarding the strategic planning process. It was comprised of 21 members of the Bethany Community including faculty, staff, College leadership and members of the Board.

FACULTY Anna Edlund, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology Adam Fletcher ’02, Professor of Math John Hull, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology

Anju Ramjee, Ph.D., Steen Professor of Business, and Director of the Bethany School of Graduate Studies Lisa Reilly, Ph.D., Gouling-Woolery Associate Professor of Chemistry and Associate Provost Melanee Sinclair, Professor of Social Work

Travis Straub, Associate Professor of English Patrick Sutherland, Ph.D., Professor of Communications and Media Arts Heather Taylor ’05, Associate Professor of English and Director of McCann Learning Center

STAFF

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Shannon Kolkedy, Director of Media Relations

Tamara Rodenberg, Ph.D., President

Ken Bado ’77, Chairman of the Board

Justin Thomas, Head Baseball Coach

Joseph Lane, Ph.D., Provost and Dean of the Faculty

Jeff Woda ’87, Vice Chairman of the Board

Sam Goodge, Assistant Dean of Students

Denny McMaster, Vice President for Finance and CFO Lori Weaver, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Doug Goin, Trustee Carmina Hughes ’76, Trustee Craig Williams, Ph.D., ’96, Trustee

FACILITATOR Jamie Caridi, Ph.D., President, Terra Firma Consulting Services, LLC Build for a Lifetime 4

THE BETHANY COLLEGE

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

2-DAY RETREAT

DISCOVERY

The Bethany College Board of Trustees assembled for a two-day retreat on August 6th and 7th, 2021. The retreat focused on reviewing results of an institutional audit conducted by Terra Firma Consulting Services, LLC. Six experts from leading higher education firms examined the areas of academics, advancement, athletics, enrollment, finance, and facilities. The audit included extensive examination of each area, including completion of a board assessment and faculty and staff assessment with more than 150 participants.

The results of the board, faculty and staff assessments and the unanimous sentiment at the conclusion of the board retreat was that Bethany College needed a new strategic plan developed in an expedited fashion to respond to the challenges facing the College and to position the Institution for future viability.

PLAN REVIEW President Tamara Rodenberg and Board Chair Ken Bado engaged Terra Firma Consulting Services, LLC to support and facilitate an expedited strategic planning process throughout the fall semester, with a strategic plan offered to the board for review in January 2022.

STRATEGIC PLANNING JOINT WORKING GROUP In early September 2021, President Rodenberg, having consulted the board, faculty welfare committee, and staff council, appointed a Strategic Planning Joint Working Group who would serve as the task force conducting all strategic planning activities. On September 13th, 2021, the campus community received notification of the members of this Working Group, which has been comprised of:

Faculty Members

Board Members

Members of the College Cabinet

Staff Members

Outside Facilitator

4-STAGE PROCESS The Working Group met for its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, September 15th with additional meetings on October 1st, November 5th, and December 4th. During these meetings, the Working Group developed a four-stage process constructing Bethany’s Strategic Plan. These stages included:

Hosting a Sense-making Summit

STAGE

Engaging Stakeholders

STAGE

Getting Organized

Drafting the Plan

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DEVELOPED A TIMELINE In addition, the Working Group developed a timeline for each stage, stakeholder groups to be engaged, and key “pathways” or themes that would be represented within the plan. Agreement was also reached to post substantive documents on an online portal for faculty and staff to access. The key pathways for inclusion in the plan included the following five areas:

Academics | The Bethany Student Experience | Resources | Infrastructure | Partnerships

ESSENTIAL STAKEHOLDERS Each member of the Working Group was assigned to a specific committee associated with each broad area. These committees then identified stakeholder groups they believed were essential to formulate a set of recommendations. Stakeholder groups included:

ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS

SENSE-MAKING SUMMIT

Throughout October, November, and December, committees met on several occasions to engage stakeholder groups, distill lessons learned, and formulate a set of recommendations. Stakeholders were engaged through on-campus, online, and off-campus meetings, focus groups, surveys, and one-on-one interviews. Thousands of people were invited to participate in the process, and more than four hundred people engaged.

On December 4th, 2021, the Working Group met on campus for an all-day Sense-making Summit, wherein committees presented their findings and recommendations. The Working Group provided feedback to each committee so that emendations, where needed, could be made. Each committee re-presented their recommendations at the end of the Summit to achieve consensus among the Working Group.

PLAN APPROVED! An eight-member subset of the Working Group was appointed in December 2021 to author a draft of the Strategic Plan. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the plan on January 24th, 2022.

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THE VISION

FOR BETHANY COLLEGE

BUILD FOR A LIFETIME From our pioneering founding in 1840, and ever

Bethany provides students with ongoing mentorships

responsive to the times, Bethany College continues

and friendships, along with passports to lifelong

to deliver a quality, student-centered liberal arts and

learning, global, national, and regional adventure. Our

sciences education. Our students grow and change

communities of alumni are invested more than ever in

while on campus, and after graduation they become

Bethany and give their time, talent, and resources to

leaders and change agents, building a better world.

support the College’s mission.

We remain true to our founder Alexander Campbell’s

For nearly two centuries, a Bethany education has

aim to educate whole students—spirit, mind, and body

combined theory and practice in an intimate setting of

—in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. We value

academic learning and professional preparation. Our

interdisciplinary education and inclusion of diverse

offerings of classical and contemporary fields of study

backgrounds. Here, on our historic 1,100-acre campus,

are now complemented by graduate programs.

we prepare Bethanians not only to make a living but to live lives of meaning. Grounded in our traditions and values, and pioneering into the future, Bethany in 2022 launched its BUILD Campaign. The BUILD Campaign reflects our commitment to individual and institutional growth:

B U I L D

BELIEVE

IN BETHANY & THINK BOLDLY

UNLOCK

A SPIRIT OF INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

INVEST

IN THE BETHANIAN STUDENT EXPERIENCE

LISTEN

TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS & FORGE PARTNERSHIPS

DRIVE

PHILANTHROPY & ENROLLMENT GROWTH FOR BETHANY’S FINANCIAL FUTURE

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ELIEVE IN BETHANY & THINK BOLDLY

With pride in our history, Bethany is fearlessly embarking on new paths to educate students, preparing them for the challenges of today and tomorrow. We recommit to our belief in the special role and value of a liberal arts and sciences education, while adapting to the rapidly changing job market by offering new undergraduate and graduate fields of study.

NLOCK A SPIRIT OF INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Our foundational Bethany Plan in the Liberal Arts and Sciences includes comprehensive exams and senior capstone projects, a model championed through countless success stories and differentiated nationally in the liberal arts. New is the Bethany School of Graduate Studies of robust 4+1 and other Master’s degree programs. We will cultivate a culture of program entrepreneurship that responds to market demands with new degrees in the MBA 4+1 Program, M.S. Low Residency Program in Business Cybersecurity Management, and a pathway for additional degrees, as well as new undergraduate programs including the recently approved B.A. in Criminal Justice. Together these innovative new offerings not only bring rapid academic reform, but position Bethany as a leader in academic entrepreneurialism.

NVEST IN THE BETHANIAN STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Bethany College will make major strides to enhance the on-campus student experience through scholarships, student programs, clubs, athletics, Greek life, and social opportunities. Together, we will strengthen student satisfaction and retention. A bold new admissions strategy will engage high school student interests in both athletic and non-athletic areas, so that the college is known for its growing number of scholar-athletes. A newly launched career plan will connect students to mentors and development opportunities. Obtaining focused resources will be essential to securing and retaining the best possible faculty and advisors. Bethany College will flourish to become a larger, more inclusive, enjoyable campus for all students.

ISTEN TO OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS & FORGE VALUE-ENHANCING PARTNERSHIPS

Bethany has listened and will continue to listen to our stakeholders, including prospective and current students, parents, business and community leaders, public officials, alumni, faculty, and staff. Our resulting Bethany partnership program will yield substantial strategic relationships with the Town of Bethany, local and state government, the Disciples of Christ, regional and state economic development organizations, high schools, community colleges, and like-minded higher education institutions. In a world of new challenges for higher education, Bethany will forge critical partnerships to advance our mission and secure our future.

RIVE OUR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & ENROLLMENT GROWTH

Recognizing the foremost need for Bethany’s financial well-being, we will take the bold steps of an ambitious, comprehensive fundraising campaign to achieve a balanced budget, support our operational needs, renew our infrastructure, and replenish our endowment. Closely tied to this effort is a commitment to achieving the enrollment goal of 900 undergraduate and graduate students.

BUILD FOR A LIFETIME

Bethany’s campaign to be launched in 2022, reasserts our College’s vision and value in the private liberal arts and sciences. It reflects our commitment to individual and institutional growth and will carry us forward, ever pioneering. Build for a Lifetime 8

OUR

1 2

FIVE OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVE

This will include developing a culture of academic entrepreneurship that meets market demands, with several new academic programs being added at the undergraduate and graduate level over the next three years, including establishing the School of Graduate Studies. It will also include the distinctive Bethany Plan where students enjoy a strong core curriculum, co-curricular experiences and professional preparation, and an ability to double-major.

OBJECTIVE

Bethany College students engage in transformative experiences both on and off campus that focus on transitioning to college; academic success; campus engagement; career development; and alumni involvement. This will include a college-wide commitment to inclusivity, student retention and success, and developing a robust professional development plan where students are well equipped to enter their chosen careers. It also includes increased interaction formally and informally between alumni and students, the expansion of clubs and social engagement opportunities, commitment to competitive athletics and adoption of a student-centric model where students receive world-class hospitality and service.

OBJECTIVE

4 5

Bethany College is distinguished by its commitment to superior academic programs led by topnotch faculty that are grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, and provide students opportunities for meaningful careers and advanced professional training.

Bethany College will obtain financial strength and stability through prudent allocation of current resources, development of new financial resources, expanded partnerships, increased enrollment, and emphasis on Bethany’s value proposition. This will include achieving economic equilibrium by developing a substantial recruitment and marketing strategy, increasing enrollment to 900 students, securing considerable resources through deployment of a comprehensive campaign, and diversifying resources through strategic partnerships and grant funding.

OBJECTIVE

Secure a sustainable, functional, competitive, and optimized campus environment to meet the needs and interests of the 21st century learning community. This will involve strengthening Bethany’s commitment to sustainability, restoring the College’s core assets by investing capital to develop state-of-the-art classrooms and technology, graduate student housing and renovated freshmen housing, and marquee co-curricular spaces including a new Career Center and high-quality student recreation spaces.

Identify, develop, and invest in substantial, strategic partnerships to advance Bethany’s mission and address the needs of our region. This will involve a four-pronged approach to meet the needs of the community, strengthen our strategic partners, and enhance Bethany College’s prominence by coordinating specific growth strategies for the mutual benefit of (1) The Town of Bethany, (2) The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (3) Corporations, Major Employers, and Regional Economic Development Commissions, and (4) Secondary and Postsecondary Institutions.

We invite you to examine our plan in detail and

JOIN US AS WE BUILD FOR A LIFETIME! Build for a Lifetime 9

THE BETHANY COLLEGE

STRATEGIC PLAN Build for a Lifetime 10

OBJECTIVE

ONE Bethany College is distinguished by its commitment to superior academic programs led by top-notch faculty that are grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, and provide students opportunities for meaningful careers and advanced professional training.

Strategy 1.1: Develop a culture of program entrepreneurship to meet market demands and offer broad foundational skills, collaborative problem-solving, and professional preparation. 1.1.1 Secure Faculty and Accreditor approval for “first flight” programs that meet market demand and attract new students and revenues, including the MBA 4+1 Program, M.S. Low Residency Program in Business Cyber Security Management, and B.A. in Criminal Justice. Submitted to HLC in January, the programs will launch immediately upon approval.

1.1.2 Complete a robust discovery process for identifying best possible “second flight” programs that can be brought to market in 2023-2024. Possible candidate programs may include M.A. 4+1 in Sports Management, M.A. 4+1 in Organizational Psychology and Leadership, M.S. Low Residency Program in Financial Technology, and the B.S. in Exercise Science. Other programs will also be considered.

Strategy 1.2: Bethany will undertake an expedited Program Assessment Process to help assure that our faculty meets the needs of new strategic initiatives. 1.2.1 Complete a Program Assessment Process that includes a robust discovery process for identifying neglected “growth tracks” that can expand student interest in existing majors. Metrics may include the number of new “track” or “synthesis” majors proposed and brought to market in the next three years and the number of students enrolled.

1.2.2 Empanel a representative time-limited task force that will be charged with

COMPELLING AND DISTINCTIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

carrying out a program evaluation process or a methodology for forming a task force for this purpose. A timeline should be specified for a first report on that process. This process should be substantially underway in Spring 2022.

1.2.3 Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that will be presented in a dataset for the Program Assessment Process. These measures should include (but may not be limited to): • Number of Majors graduated (last five years) • Number of Student Credit Hours (SCH) generated (last three years) • Cost per SCH • Number of Prospective Students who express interest in major (last three years) • A Measure of contributions to the Core and institutional learning objectives • A Measure of each program’s effectiveness at meeting learning outcomes • Placement of graduates, measuring both quality and quantity of placements (last five years) • Market Potential for Enrollment Growth and Student Retention

1.2.4 Based on the work of the Program Assessment Process, the Provost will be charged with presenting a Faculty Staffing Strategy to the Faculty and Board within an agreed upon timetable.

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Strategy 1.3: Bethany will launch a revised “Bethany Plan” core curriculum grounded in academic rigor, engagement with multidisciplinary thinking, and motivating students to tackle difficult and impactful issues. This revised core must simultaneously be attractive and explainable to drive market and admissions interest in the core liberal arts and sciences at Bethany College. 1.3.1 Faculty will approve a redesigned Core Curriculum that will be more focused and clearly aimed to promote student engagement and success.

1.3.2 The new Bethany Plan will be brought forward and announced with a strong marketing initiative highlighting the power of the core liberal arts and sciences to prepare students for personal and professional success.

1.3.3 The new Bethany Plan will provide more opportunities for students to explore multiple majors, interdisciplinary areas of specialization, minors, and dual majors.

1.3.4 Tie the revised “Bethany Plan” to major-level coursework and 4+1 Masters; highlighting the employment and enrichment value of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education. • 1.3.4.1 Highlight the importance and benefit of comprehensive exams and senior capstone projects through alumni and soon-to-be alumni success stories. • 1.3.4.2 Publish data and market experiential education and student learning. • 1.3.4.3 Re-engage contacts with international partners to reinvigorate programs.

Strategy 1.4: Provide resources and professional development to secure the best possible faculty and advisors to Bethany students. 1.4.1 Set benchmarks for faculty compensation and demonstrate progress toward achieving them.

1.4.2 Review and revise faculty expectations to create a culture of entrepreneurship and better reflect the work that we expect faculty members to do and how that work might most effectively advance the work of the College as a whole.

1.4.3 Provide adequate support for advising, training, and professional development that advances best practices in the fields of academic advising and student success.

1.4.4 Provide adequate administrative support for key academic offices and programs to support faculty in providing transformative teaching and entrepreneurial academic program development.

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OBJECTIVE

TWO Bethany College students engage in transformative experiences both on and off campus that focus on transitioning to college; academic success; campus engagement; career development; and alumni involvement.

A TRANSFORMATIVE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Strategy 2.1: Make Bethany College a diverse, safe, inclusive, and functional campus for all. 2.1.1 Hire a more diverse faculty and staff. 2.2.2 Fill the vacant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position. 2.2.3 Collaborate with the Disciples of Christ Reconciling Ministries Initiative and Church Relations Committee on advancing DEI values in the work of Bethany College.

Strategy 2.2: Provide ladders to student success and engage students in developing internal motivations to succeed and tools to be successful. 2.2.1 Bethany will revisit the 2021 Title III SIP application to look for immediate opportunities for implementing “student success” initiatives and to prepare an application for the next cycle that focuses on motivational and student success coaching. 2.2.2 Provide and promote professional development to support the mentors devoted to students and their personal growth and accomplishment. 2.2.3 Ensure that the McCann Learning Center is resourced and appropriately tasked to meet the College’s retention and student success goals. 2.2.4 Increase communications and marketing regarding opportunities available to students, such as scholarships, internships, study abroad, leadership opportunities, etc. 2.2.5 Commit to a college-wide career development plan and process for students to connect to future careers, including • • • •

2.2.5.1 Expansion and utilization of Alumni Fire 2.2.5.2 Staff the Career and Professional Development Center 2.2.5.3 Development of an alumni mentoring program 2.2.5.4 Integration of experiential learning as an essential learning outcome

2.2.6 Increase alumni involvement with invitations to on-campus and virtual events, such as mentoring programs, scholarship days, networking dinners, lectures, etc. 2.2.7 Build a line of communication between students and recent alumni about their shared experiences.

2.2.8 Expand programs, clubs, and social engagement opportunities that improve retention. Build for a Lifetime 13

Strategy 2.3: Bethany College will apply a student-centric model to processes across campus to improve the student experience and assure that every Bethany student is academically challenged, informed, and treated with respect throughout their college experience. 2.3.1 Evaluate and improve communications going to students from deposit to arrival through to graduation.

2.3.2 Evaluate processes across campus (registration, housing procedures, financial aid, etc.) from a student perspective and consider how our procedures work for students.

2.3.3 Bethany College will examine course and athletic scheduling to minimize conflicts and enable engagement in campus activities such as academics, athletics, Greek life, clubs and organizations, and student life activities.

2.3.4 Evaluate and execute opportunities for students to participate in semester break classes, summer courses, study abroad, and other concepts that would assist students on completing their degree(s).

PHOTO CREDIT: GREG PAYAN

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OBJECTIVE

THREE Bethany College will obtain financial strength and stability through prudent allocation of current resources, development of new financial resources, expanded partnerships, increased enrollment, and emphasis on Bethany’s value proposition.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND INSTITUTIONAL STABILITY

Strategy 3.1: Bethany College will establish sustainable budget processes and reach economic equilibrium for long-term viability. 3.1.1 Establish a projection for progressive improvements in the bottom line with material reduction in deficit spending each year and a balance goal for FY 2025. 3.1.2 Phase-out reliance on withdrawals from endowment corpus by FY 2025. 3.1.3 Establish a campus-wide budget process to identify efficiencies, savings, and revenue opportunities that can be realized through advanced planning.

Strategy 3.2: Identify and engage possible innovative sources of non-tuition funding. 3.2.1 Engage a grant writer to identify government, foundations, and other grant opportunities with specific emphasis on Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA, to expand scholarship opportunities for students at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as other opportunities. 3.2.2 Monetize Bethany holdings of non-operating assets for use in revitalization and strategic investment. 3.2.3 Address donor fatigue by streamlining a comprehensive fundraising campaign for funding priorities and utilizing a strategy that enables donors to participate in areas that meet their philanthropic passion and identifies a new donor base beyond current alumni. 3.2.4 Implement specific revitalization goals and related funding mechanisms, such as the naming of facilities or rooms and naming of curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular programs. 3.2.5 Establish a series of named Professorships/Chair or Coach positions to fund endowed positions to honor past leaders of the College. 3.2.6 Cultivate affinity groups as opportunities for engagement and support. Examples might include the 1933 Society, Greek Life, class specific, Hall of Fame, etc. 3.2.7 Institute a Bethany non-athletic Alumni Hall of Fame recognizing professional, philanthropic and community contributions with a goal of reconnecting Bethany alumni with the College.

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Strategy 3.3: Bethany College will identify, reach, and maintain an enrollment goal of 900 undergraduate and graduate students generating $2M in additional net operating contribution per year. This strategy requires adoption of enhancements in the recruiting of students in the traditional undergraduate, transfer, and graduate markets as well as new special programs that will expand Bethany’s “teaching and learning” mission into new types of educational delivery. This strategy will include attention to increasing enrollments without sacrificing the academic quality of the students matriculating to Bethany College. 3.3.1 Implementation of a new and comprehensive marketing campaign with specific strategies to promote the value of a Bethany education and current and future programs. This will include a revised website and digital marketing effort. 3.3.2 Alignment of recruitment efforts with specific programs to attract student subgroups interested in Bethany’s model, such as adult education, certificate programs, summer programs, etc. 3.3.3 Refocus recruiting strategies on identifying students with high motivation and a desire to lead/make a difference. 3.3.4 Implement Customer Relationship Management software to improve yield and efficiency. 3.3.5 Develop an institution-wide recruitment process involving engagement of key stakeholders including academics, athletics, student life, administration, enrollment, alumni, and board of trustees.

UNDERGRADUATE 3.3.6 Engagement of high school students through active recruitment in nonathletic focused areas, such as band, dance, cheer, e-sports, etc. Engagement of high school students through active recruitment for academic camps, athletic camps, special interest experiences (leadership, etc.), and academic year events. 3.3.7 Market a Revised “Bethany Plan,” Comprehensive Exams, and/or Senior Projects as centerpieces of Bethany’s Value Proposition. 3.3.8 Shift Athletic Recruiting to focus on a “leadership model” of intercollegiate athletic participation. 3.3.9 Bethany College will explore reinstating the dual-credit programs and improve marketing of acceptance of dual-credits from other institutions. 3.3.10 Expand high school specific scholarship programs for their selection of the student based on Bethany’s criteria. Launch a public relations series highlighting Bethany’s current and recently graduated student leaders. Use the tradition of Kalon and our students who “do it all” to change the conversation about what type of student belongs at Bethany. Build for a Lifetime 16

3.3.11 Build more effective conduits between the academic program and Admission and Athletic recruiters to better educate them on academic programs and points of emphasis and provide regular and reliable contacts to provide information and talk to recruits. 3.3.12 Re-establish the BISON Ambassadors Program that was successful in the past.

TRANSFERS 3.3.13 Streamline the process for transcript evaluations to increase transfers. 3.3.14 Engage in updating and creating agreements between area community colleges and Bethany College.

GRADUATES 3.3.15 Identification and implementation of relevant and income generating graduate programming, with a plan to add two programs in 2022-2023 and two programs added per year in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY PHOTO CREDIT: GREG PAYAN

3.3.16 Explore opportunities in certificate programs and other educational opportunities. 3.3.17 Engage with employers, industry partners and vendors to have a discounted joint education programs.

Strategy 3.4: Bethany College will build its brand identity among internal and external stakeholders (prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, community, and employers). 3.4.1 Deploy digital marketing directed at prospective students to increase enrollment. 3.4.2 Increase connections with alumni and prospective students by alumni participation in consistent social media messaging, regional and campus events, annual departmental newsletters, semi-annual digital alumni magazine, etc. 3.4.3 Audit campus communications and establish campus-wide communication policies, procedures, and brand standards and guidelines to improve professionalism and institutional messaging. 3.4.4 Provide training on Bethany, its mission, and purpose during on boarding for staff, faculty, administration, and trustees.

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OBJECTIVE

FOUR Secure a sustainable, functional, competitive, and optimized campus environment to meet the needs and interests of the 21st century learning community.

A SUSTAINABLE, COMPETITIVE, OPTIMIZED CAMPUS

Strategy 4.1: Strengthen campus sustainability and environmental design. 4.1.1 Develop a prioritized plan informed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). 4.1.2 Link each element of the plan to a funding source. 4.1.3 Conduct an annual sustainability assessment and demonstrate material progress toward execution of the plan.

Strategy 4.2: Restore the College’s core assets and amenities 4.2.1 Housing Assets and Amenities • 4.2.1.1 Provide a housing solution for graduate students. • 4.2.1.2 Upgrade freshmen housing to be on par with peer institutions. • 4.2.1.3 Assess faculty housing as a resource that can both improve the town of Bethany and the College’s efforts to recruit and retain the best faculty. 4.2.2 Safety Assets and Amenities • 4.2.2.1 Improve lighting plan consistent with best practices on safety and sustainability. • 4.2.2.2 Assess and improve student amenities including late-night food options for students. • 4.2.2.3 Assess and address safety considerations relating to pedestrian traffic on campus. • 4.2.2.4 Empanel a campus safety committee and charge it with prioritizing and addressing compliance, regulatory, and situational safety matters. 4.2.3 Academic Assets and Amenities • 4.2.3.1 Conduct a rolling triennial review of physical and technology assets in each academic discipline to advance the educational mission, meet contemporary accrediting standards, and align with best practices. • 4.2.3.2 Develop and implement a funding stream to ensure that Bethany has state-of-the-art classroom hardware, technology, and equipment replacement plan to ensure integrity and consistency in academic program delivery. 4.2.4 Co-curricular/Operational Assets and Amenities • 4.2.4.1 Ensure sport facilities meet Presidents’ Athletic Conference standards, are competitive for recruiting, and provide a good student athlete experience. • 4.2.4.2 Develop a Student Rec Space or “Memorable” Space of Tradition (e.g., Boomers, etc.). • 4.2.4.3 Relocate Admissions to a central, marquee location. • 4.2.4.4 Relocate Career Center to a central, marquee location.

Strategy 4.3: Improve Maintenance Planning and Operations 4.3.1 Develop a facilities plan linked to capital expenditure budgeting and fundraising plans to address urgent and long-term projects. 4.3.2 Make material decisions relating to infrastructure consolidation to best serve the projected campus population. 4.3.3 Implement a campus-wide work-order system. Build for a Lifetime 18

OBJECTIVE

FIVE

Identify, develop, and invest in substantial, strategic partnerships to advance Bethany’s mission and address the needs of our region.

STRATEGIC AND SUBSTANTIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Strategy 5.1: Town of Bethany/Local Government. 5.1.1 Engage with local, state, and federal government to obtain funding for community improvements for access to Bethany (Routes 67 & 88) and revitalization of downtown Bethany. 5.1.2 Explore the opportunity for using College buildings and resources for community services, such as a community health center, recreation center, adult education, among other opportunities.

Strategy 5.2: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 5.2.1 Expand recruitment initiatives within the Disciples of Christ. 5.2.2 Collaborate with the church in advancing pro-reconciling, anti-racist, equitable and intentionally inclusive practices that will strengthen our ability to receive and retain our students. 5.2.3 Receive, nurture, and celebrate the financial resources and funding opportunities of the Disciples of Christ. 5.2.4 Help the College manage and market the sacred sites and historical resources of the campus and community. 5.2.5 Assist Bethany’s internationalization initiatives by providing resources, recruiting pipelines, and opportunities for student study abroad and service. 5.2.6 Support campus life events in the Disciples of Christ tradition.

Strategy 5.3: Corporations/Industry/Regional-State Economic Development and Commissions 5.3.1 Conduct discovery processes with corporate partners to develop credentialing and continuing education programs tailored to meet their workforce needs. 5.3.2 Provide academic research and grant preparation work to local governments and corporations to advance community projects. 5.3.3 Host and participate in regional economic development meetings, summits, and projects. 5.3.4 Expand efforts to place internships and graduates with regional partners, including Oglebay, etc.

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Strategy 5.4: Secondary and Postsecondary Institutions 5.4.1 Strengthen partnerships with local public and private schools to provide educational opportunities 5.4.2 Expand Dual Enrollment course delivery in area high schools. 5:4.3 Expand 2+2 degree tracks with community colleges and graduate admission agreements with regional institutions. 5.4.4 Explore operational efficiencies that might be achieved with sharing resources with regional postsecondary institutions.

Strategy 5.5: Develop an infrastructure to support and enhance Bethany’s Connections with Regional Partners that Promote Community Engagement. 5.5.1 Hire a Director of Community and Partnership Initiatives. 5.5.2 Recognize our Alumni as a Community Partner and engage them in all the activities envisioned by Strategy 5. 5.5.3 Train faculty and staff on consistently communicating and sharing Bethany’s academic programs through a variety of media and channels in the community. 5.5.4 Create and update a centralized calendar and portal to make announcements and publicize events on campus to the surrounding community.

EVERY BETHANIAN HAS A STORY. Whether you have your own story or you want to help write the next chapter in the college's long history, come to campus and meet today's students or contact us for ways you can help. Contact Lori Weaver at lweaver@bethanywv.edu or 304.829.7284.

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