Strategic Plan Goals

Roanoke College's strategic plan is an expression of our vision to be a national liberal arts college, a model of integrative learning, and a community uniquely committed to open discourse and civil debate as ways of learning and as preparation for service in the world.

Goal #1: Be recognized for excellence in integrative learning.

• Integrate the curriculum by pursuing a unique set of student learning goals linked to our mission that will differentiate Roanoke College from other liberal arts colleges.
• Create a 1st and 2nd year integrative liberal learning experience that prepares students to be broad based thinkers and to deepen their learning in their 3rd and 4th years.
• Continue our commitment to high standards of scholarship by building strong programs and majors that form a foundation for Roanoke College’s integrative learning experience.
• Hire and groom faculty to stand out among their peers for creative problem solving, excellent teaching and collaborative research.
• Assure that our assessment measures, organizational structures and institutional practices support the integrative learning experience we aspire to (e.g. though the centers for Community Research and Teaching and Learning).

Goal #2: Create a student-centered culture built upon openness and collaboration between faculty, staff, students and alumni.

• Grow to 2,100 full-time undergraduate students, define and improve selectivity, and achieve 85% retention 1st to 2nd year as a basis for a successful and diverse learning community.  In so doing, attract and serve the college’s traditional student constituencies while expanding upon them.
• Define our processes and programs based on a rich understanding of Roanoke’s traditions, the strengths of our faculty and staff, and best practices across the globe.
• Create initiatives and organizational structures that allow faculty and staff to work together effectively in support of the College’s and its students’ success.
• Practice values of openness, collaboration, respect, civil discourse, and integrity that will characterize us as a college community and serve as a model to our students.
• Create opportunities for alumni networking and involvement as a key part of Roanoke’s integrative learning experience with an alumni participation rate of 40% as expression of our strong relationship.

Goal #3: Enhance our campus environment to support the achievement of our vision.

• Draw upon our area’s beautiful natural environment to develop opportunities for integrative learning in and outside of the classroom and on and off-campus.
• Build and renovate facilities that enhance student learning and support our values and goals, incl. athletics and multi-use facilities that integrate academics and recreation as well as administrative and learning spaces that stress service and collaboration.
• Build and renovate residential facilities that support a 75% residential student rate.
• Grow the endowment to $75,000 per student in support of our vision.

Goal #4: Build strong connections to our community, region and the world.

• Offer on- and off-campus opportunities for servant leadership development, civil discourse, creativity and innovation as hallmarks of our integrative learning focus (e.g. through the centers for Leadership & Innovation and for Religion and Society).
• Integrate cross-cultural learning opportunities into the life of the college to increase understanding and respect for other cultures, countries, languages, religions and worldviews.
• Develop programs for non-traditional learners as an expression of our commitment to the Roanoke Valley and beyond.
• Develop a consistent image of Roanoke College in our on- and off-campus publications.
• Increase visibility on all levels through improved communication on- and off campus.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on October 27, 2005.