Kuyper College
Strategic Plan Summary
2011 — 2018
Amended November 2015
1. Section One: Kuyper College Strategic Plan 2011 – 2018
1.1
Introduction
Strategic plans are opportunities for affirmation, renewal and transformation.
The Kuyper College Strategic Plan affirms this institution’s faithfulness to the original ideals and needs
that compelled its founding in 1939 and guided its increased capacity, influence and development in past
decades. Throughout this document is an intentional and relentless commitment to equipping God’s
people to effectively serve His church and advance His kingdom wherever and to whatever
circumstances He may call.
Early in a new decade full of challenge and promise, the College seeks to support the ever-increasing
relevance of its mission with an ambitious vision marked by goals that will define the unique character of
the College and the role it plays in the lives of its students, the community and the church.
At the direction and leadership of President Nicholas V. Kroeze, the College vice presidents, provost,
and the President’s Cabinet led the crafting of this Strategic Plan which was amended in November of
2015 to include the Strategic Priorities for Fiscal Years 2016 – 2018. The goals of this Strategic Plan will
identify the primary areas in which the talents and the resources of the College will be invested over the
plan period.
1.2
Mission
Kuyper College equips students with a biblical, Reformed worldview to serve effectively Christ’s church
and His world.
1.3
Our Vision for the Decade Ahead
With the principal goal to equip Christians to be transformational leaders who–instilled with a firm faith
in God’s grace and a commitment to follow His call–effectively serve His church and advance His
kingdom throughout the world, the Kuyper community establishes the following vision:
As a college committed to a biblical, Reformed worldview, Kuyper College will be a unique, vital, and
engaging learning community, characterized by innovation and excellence in its programs and
educational partnerships.
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We will enroll increasing numbers of academically prepared and motivated ministry and servicefocused students, and in the Reformed tradition, empower each person to discern their spiritual
gifts, mature in the understanding of who they are in Christ and live a vibrant and fruitful life of
ministry and service to others.
We will provide extraordinary levels of personal attention to our students.
Our faculty will remain committed to outstanding teaching and scholarship.
We will enhance our reputation as a leading ministry-focused Christian leadership college that
prepares its graduates for successful lives of service and ministry-focused endeavors throughout
the world.
1.4 Purpose Statement
Bringing God’s Grace into Today’s Culture
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1.5
Core Values
Primacy of Scripture. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and must guide our teaching,
philosophy, life-style, and response to our ministry or vocational calling.
Biblical Worldview. We believe history is directed and controlled by God—Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit—toward the accomplishment of God’s purposes for all creation. Education at Kuyper College is
conducted within the framework of a biblical worldview from which students can assimilate, synthesize,
and respond to situations of life and learning.
Reformed Doctrine. We understand and apply our faith and worldview according to the teachings of
the Bible as summarized in the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, the Belgic Confession, and
the Westminster Standards.
Academic Excellence. We emphasize the importance of cultivating the mind as primary in providing
quality, Christian higher education.
Holistic Development. We strive to form world-class citizens who are academically, spiritually, socially,
and morally discerning, just, and merciful leaders in church and society.
Caring Community. We actively work toward a campus environment, denominationally and ethnically
diverse in nature, where mentoring, mutual care, accountability, and encouragement are characteristic of
students, faculty, and staff.
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1.6 Goals
Goal 1: Prepare globally-competent Christian leaders.
Objective 1.1: Integrate Christian leadership throughout the curriculum.
Objective 1.2: Ensure market-relevant academic program offerings.
Objective 1.3: Expand cross-cultural learning opportunities.
Objective 1.4: Promote spiritual formation and lifelong service.
Objective 1.5: Celebrate student and alumni scholarship and achievement.
Goal 2: Increase enrollment of students who will thrive in our distinctive student
community.
Objective 2.1: Increase the enrollment of students from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Objective 2.2: Enroll increasing numbers of academically prepared students.
Objective 2.3: Improve retention rates, graduation rates, and placement rates.
Objective 2.4: Administer strategic scholarships and financial aid to enroll a socioeconomically
balanced student body.
Objective 2.5: Increase strategic partnerships for student recruitment.
Goal 3: Articulate, communicate and celebrate our distinctive identity.
Objective 3.1: Ensure the college community understands and embraces our mission, vision and
values.
Objective 3.2: Articulate, promote, and support our position as a professional studies institution
focused on leadership and service.
Objective 3.3: Celebrate milestones and markers through commemorative events.
Goal 4: Develop as an innovative and engaging learning community.
Objective 4.1: Increase breadth and depth of learning community to further our mission.
Objective 4.2: Encourage and celebrate excellence in faculty teaching, scholarship and service.
Objective 4.3: Cultivate exceptional performance in administration and staff.
Objective 4.4: Utilize appropriate technology to improve student experience.
Objective 4.5: Enhance our facilities to support a community that is relational and learner-based.
Goal 5: Ensure long-term financial viability of the College.
Objective 5.1: Ensure increasing fund balances and improved financial ratios through intentional
stewardship.
Objective 5.2: Increase value and quantity of endowments.
Objective 5.3: Increase and diversify our donor base.
Objective 5.4: Increase available funding for program and capital projects.
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Kuyper College Strategic Priorities for Fiscal Years 2016-2018
Mission Statement: Kuyper College equips students with a biblical, Reformed worldview to
serve effectively Christ’s church and His world.
Strategic Priority*
Online Learning &
Programs
Systems & Processes
to Manage all
Institutional
Relationships
Presidential
Transition
SP
Goal(s)
1, 2, 3, 4,
5
1, 2, 3, 5
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Benchmark for June 2016
Master’s program approved by Board. $300,000 raised
Search/hire. Director of Online Learning
CRM in place and operational
Executive
Committee
President’s
Cabinet
Provost
1, 2, 3, 5
Outline completed
Core Programs
1, 2, 3, 4
Integrated Financial
Model
1, 2, 4, 5
Assessment plans completed. Enrollment
strategies/goals set
Reaccreditation reports completed
Structure in place
Community
Presence
Student Experience
2
People Care &
Resources
1, 2, 3, 4
VPCA
Transition progressing
Value Proposition
1, 2, 4
Person(s)
Responsible
Provost
VPBF
Exploratory study initiated
Provost
2015/2016 initiatives reviewed
Provost
Salary/benefit survey accomplished. Professional
development plans set by Depts. Internal satisfaction
survey completed
VPBF
Strategic Plan Goal 1: Prepare globally-competent Christian leaders.
Strategic Plan Goal 2: Increase enrollment of students who will thrive in our distinctive student community.
Strategic Plan Goal 3: Articulate, communicate, and celebrate our distinctive identity.
Strategic Plan Goal 4: Develop as an innovative and engaging learning community.
Strategic Plan Goal 5: Ensure long-term financial viability of the College.
*Descriptions of Priorities can be seen on the following page.
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Descriptions of Kuyper College Strategic Priorities for Fiscal Years 2016-2018
Online Learning & Programs: Kuyper College will develop an online Master of Ministry program to
be launched in 2017/2018 as well as lay the ground work for developing other online learning
opportunities such as the Bachelor of Social Work program. A Director of Online Learning will be hired
to implement and oversee these initiatives.
Systems & Processes to Manage all Institutional Relationships: Implement a simple-to-use
campus-wide CRM application package that can leverage industry best practices for recruiting,
admissions and marketing, student services, advising and retention as well as alumni/donor development
and advancement. Key functions include account, contact, and activity tracking to manage day-to-day
interactions with individuals and organizations. In addition to enrollment and fund development, desired
results include enhanced collaboration and sharing of information through accurate, updated, real-time
records, reports and dashboards.
Presidential Transition: Design and execute a process of presidential transition that provides a smooth
and seamless changeover from the current to a new president. The process shall include representation
from major stakeholder groups, provide for a comprehensive search to attract and appoint the best
possible successor, honor the service of the current president and appropriately welcome the new
president.
Value Proposition: A description of outcomes that substantiates and demonstrates the personal and
professional growth experienced by students and how such growth best occurs in the programs and
atmosphere of Kuyper College for those students who are preparing for ministry and service vocations.
The Value Proposition also provides a return on investment (ROI) profile suitable for retention and
donor development.
Core Programs: Kuyper College will continue to strengthen and enhance our core academic programs
by utilizing the Sakai learning management system, implementing specialized program assessment plans,
establishing program advisory boards, reviewing graduate outcomes, providing faculty development and
research opportunities, meeting accreditation standards, and analyzing enrollment patterns, marketing
strategies, and budgeting needs.
Integrated Financial Model: A comprehensive forecasting model that can be used to project
enrollments, net tuition revenues and net income, using this information to project Balance Sheets,
Income Statements and Cash Flow statements. This will be a model that is also fluid, allowing
manipulation of inputs and generating projections based on the variables that have been entered.
Community Presence: Kuyper College will explore partnership opportunities and locations within the
urban area of Grand Rapids wherein our students and faculty can establish meaningful presence and
relationships with others as we deliberately pursue our mission.
Student Experience: Kuyper College will continue to enhance our students’ campus experience
through providing intentional spiritual formation opportunities and pastoral care, vibrant co-curricular
activities and intramural offerings, and desirable learning and living spaces.
People Care & Resources: Undertake a survey of wages and benefits at various employers – including
similar institutions, area colleges and area businesses. Also administer a satisfaction survey of our
employees covering areas of wages, benefits, working environment, and various other perspectives of the
College.
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