Tuesday afternoon, Bellarmine University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new strategic plan for the university, focused on student success, inclusion and academic innovation. The plan, titled “Tradition and Transformation,” will guide the university’s growth and continued improvement over the next five to seven years. "It is time for Bellarmine University to re-envision its future as an innovative liberal arts institution that meets the demands of its students and serves the needs of a changing world," said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine's president. "We will explore ways to raise our profile regionally and nationally, and we will work diligently to make a Bellarmine education affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds. We will do this in pursuit of our mission to educate the whole person -- mind, body and spirit." The plan focuses on six strategic priorities that are supported by a total of 26 goals. The six strategic priorities are:

• Deliver a distinctive and transformative student experience, grounded in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, that uniquely prepares each student for lifelong success.
• Diversify the university's educational delivery to become a model for academic innovation and purposeful risk-taking.
• Expand the university’s geographic reach to enhance reputation and impact through enrollment pipelines, athletics, alumni engagement and outreach.
• Demonstrate a fully realized and lived commitment to equity and inclusion, empowering all members of the university's increasingly diverse community and supporting them to achieve their full potential.
• Be an engaged partner with the City of Louisville and the region to expand learning opportunities, enhance career networks and economic growth, and advance equity and quality of life for the university's neighboring communities.
• Be a responsible and effective steward of the university's resources, making a Bellarmine education accessible to students of all backgrounds and ensuring financial stability for decades to come.

"Bellarmine is known for excellence in its classrooms, and for preparing informed, well-rounded critical thinkers for lives of leadership and service," said William E. Mudd, chair of Bellarmine's Board of Trustees. "This new plan leverages Bellarmine's existing strengths, extends the brand to new markets and improves accessibility while putting increased emphasis on academic innovation. It also prioritizes community engagement, including building stronger ties with professional and business communities throughout the region. Now, we begin the hard work of making this new strategic plan a reality as Bellarmine rises to even greater heights." Nearly 2,500 people provided input through town halls, online surveys and face-to-face meetings during the plan’s development, including faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors and other stakeholders. A steering committee of 29 Bellarmine community members was co-chaired by Dr. Sean Ryan, senior vice president, and Dr. Nancy York, dean of the Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences. The plan's implementation phase will be formally launched early in the fall semester. View the strategic plan online.