The Trinity Tomorrow strategic plan is soon moving to the next phase of implementation, according to special projects coordinator Lisa Jasinski. The plan, which has been in development for four years, involves strategic objectives and foundations, which each include their own objectives.
The first step in implementation of the full plan, which has already begun, is expanding the university’s standing in the educational market and further developing recruitment. The next portion of the plan to be implemented are the centers.
“It was really a big, inclusive project, where everyone has had a voice,” Jasinski said. “Our top priorities were to focus on things we are really good at in order to really put ourselves on the map.”
The plan has been in development for four years, and was approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2013. Preparing for the plan involved the input of faculty, as well as then-current students and alumni. While the plan has been approved, there is ongoing discussion about priorities and how to best put individual portions of the plan into place.
“We want to tell the Trinity story in ways that are engaging to others,” said, Charles White vice president for information resources, marketing and communication. The aims of the multi-year marketing plan include expanding awareness of the university brand and shifting to a marketing focus.
Increasing awareness of the university invites more attention from prospective students and adds value to alumni and current students. In the interest of developing brand awareness, the university has expanded its marketing strategy to include Facebook advertisements and advertising on websites that are education-focused.
Some advertising is limited to an ad network, which allows for distribution to particular audiences, as well as ensuring that the advertising appears on sites that are safe for the brand. Director of marketing communications Michelle Bartonico reported that there has been a very positive response from the marketing.
“Faculty have really invested a herculean amount of time into the new curriculum,” Jasinski said.
Three centers have been developed as part of the Strategic Plan. These include the Student Success Center, Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success, and Center for International Citizenship.
“These centers were created in order to better bring together related resources for students. They were also created in order to accent the strengths of the university. The SSC will allow students more resources that are easier to navigate,” Jasinski said.
The CELCS focuses on providing experimental learning opportunities to students. Experiential learning includes learning by applying a discipline and working with practice versus theory. CELCS and Career Services will interact with one another in order to streamline assisting students in searching for internships and positions, preparing their resume and working on their networking skills.
The CIC aims to develop global students who are very prepared to continue out into the world and assist others. The CIC will bring about more interaction between the International Studies, East Asian Studies majors to prepare students with a wide understanding of the world.
“We are really in the startup phase right now,” said Jasinski. “This is a great opportunity to continue talking with students. There is pretty broad consensus these are the right goals.”
The strategic plan will continue to develop as aspects of it are implemented. The marketing development plan will continue for several years in order to achieve all of their objectives. The strategic pwill continue through 2023, 10 years from its approval by the Board of Trustees in 2013.
“[This] is truly an exciting time to be at Trinity,” Bartonico said. “There is a vision to take Trinity to the next level and staff, faculty, alumni and students are working to make it happen.”
