University Strategic Plan

University Strategic Goals and Objectives, 2016-2021

By combining big ideas with real-world thinking Minnesota State University, Mankato is focused on transforming our university by breaking down barriers, creating solutions, and achieving a new level of greatness. In August 2016, President Richard Davenport announced the University's Strategic Directions, 2016-2021.

Enhancing Student Success and Completion
Minnesota State Mankato will uphold its value of being an innovative student centered learning community where students, both undergraduate and graduate, go farther than they thought possible. The Enhancing Student Success and Completion Task Force was charged to examine trends and changes, future implications, and effective ideas and strategies that will advance ongoing transformation of student success and completion for all students during the timeframe of the strategic plan.

Elevating Faculty Distinction and Academic Achievement
Minnesota State Mankato will uphold academic principles of teaching excellence and innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, and research, scholarly and creative activity, and areas of distinction within academic, research, and industry. The Elevating Faculty Distinction and Academic Achievement Task Force was charged to recognize, communicate, and promote national prestige and distinction among our faculty and academic degree programs, and to tell our story of faculty distinction and academic achievement, boldly and more often.

Expanding Regional and Global Impact
Minnesota State Mankato will expand its reach as a premier provider of effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, and research in service to the state, the region, and the global community. The Expanding Regional and Global Impact Task Force was charged to examine the barriers, understand the factors for success, and identify strategies that will enable the University to dramatically increase its regional and global impact.

Leading Equity and Inclusive Excellence
Minnesota State Mankato will advance equity and inclusive excellence as an essential component of an active and engaged learning community. Diversity enhances the educational process, it fosters good citizenship, and develops strong communities. Diversity promotes economic prosperity as it prepares globally-oriented citizens who can compete successfully in an interconnected global economy. The Leading Equity and Inclusive Excellence Task Force was charged to identify strategies that will propel the University forward in its ability to lead and influence measurable progress in diversity, inclusion, and equity across the university, as well as being a beacon of change and hope throughout the community and region.

Advancing a Culture of Evidence and Innovative Organizational Designs
Minnesota State Mankato will establish a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The use of data to inform institutional strategy will advance innovative organizational designs that will heighten efficiency and effectiveness. When used effectively, data highlights areas of challenge, prioritizes efforts around what is working and what is not, and sets a direct, clear course toward sustainable institutional change that drives achievement. The Advancing a Culture of Evidence and Innovative Organizational Designs Task Force was charged to examine the barriers to rapidly advancing a culture of evidence at Minnesota State Mankato, recognize key factors for success, and identify strategies that will launch the University forward and establish it as a recognized leader in data utilization, data-informed strategy development and decision-making, and innovative organizational design.

Leveraging the Power of Partnerships and Collaboration
Minnesota State Mankato will increase the quantity and quality of internal and external partnerships and collaborations that will ignite big ideas with real world thinking. True to its mission, the University promotes learning in service to the state, the region, and the global community. This mission will be further heightened and sustained by enriching strategic partnerships and collaboration. The Leveraging the Power of Partnerships and Collaboration Task Force was charged to examine the barriers, understand the factors for success, and identify strategies that will advance the University forward and establish strategic value-added partnerships and collaborations.