2021 Strategic Plan Priorities
Priority Initiatives of Courageous Service Theme
Curriculum review: Conduct review of the school’s Public Church curriculum to focus on course planning, new program creation, innovative delivery, faculty hiring, and paracurricular activities
Scholarship support: Review student financial challenges in all degree programs (debt, income, expense, food insecurity) and respond with new scholarships attuned to distinctive needs, pre-enrollment financial counseling, and finding a balance between employment and granting
Example: Funding the future: Class of 1970 challenges itself, other classes
Remote learning: Enhance shift of degree programs online and address remaining challenges; determine which programs/courses will remain remotely available, how hybrid options can combine remote and local learning, and whether collaborations can improve range and diversity of offerings
Example: Teaching and learning in a pandemic
Priority Initiatives of Stewarding Gifts Theme
Administrative Alignment:
Conclude and review all remaining elements of the Common Discernment Project, with particular attention to aligning personnel within functional areas in order to clarify and improve organizational structure, communication, and staff retention
Enrollment Pipelines:
Continue and expand commitment to developing and enhancing strategic and diverse enrollment pipelines, including fostering deep relationships with ELCA colleges, universities, and campus ministries in order to enhance the student experience
Example: LSTC and Augsburg University form partnership
Priority Initiatives of Dynamic Formation Theme
Antiracism Team: Receive, affirm, and endorse the upcoming recommendations from the seminary’s Antiracism Transformation Team pertaining to representation, voice, structure, hiring, and related items, as actions committed to dismantling institutionalized white supremacy
Example: LSTC forms Antiracism Transformation Team and Reflections from LSTC Antiracism Transformation Team members
Authentic Diversity: Examine, prioritize, and implement the “Recommendations for theological education and leadership” from the ELCA Task Force for Strategic Authentic Diversity final report, including periodic public reports that demonstrate accountability and progress
Program Viability: Accurately identify and assess the actual opportunity costs for various seminary programs (academic and otherwise) in their current form and implement strategic decisions to achieve sustainability, adaptation, or discontinuation of these programs
Redeveloped Facilities: Pursuant to board directive, secure a firm to explore redevelopment of main property/facilities, including careful reconsideration of our educational space needs as well as resolution of emerging challenges in ways that mutually benefit the school and the community