The University puts forward several strategies to meet five goals in pursuit of the vision of the University. The goals and strategies are closely interconnected, and no one goal or strategy should be viewed as prioritized over others.

Mind: Renew & Enhance the Curriculum

Develop and Implement a First-Year Experience for All Students

First-year programming has long been recognized by the American Association of Colleges and Universities as one of the most consequential high-impact practices (HIP) that colleges can adopt in their efforts to attract and retain students. Aimed specifically at newly arrived students, the First-Year Experience has the greatest potential of any HIP to develop cohesion among the first-year class and relationships with participating faculty and staff.

Promote High-Impact Practices Across the Curriculum

The University of the South stands out from larger colleges and universities because of its tightly connected community, with both students and a significant portion of faculty and staff living on or near campus. This makes the University particularly well-positioned to foster close relationships between students and members of the faculty and staff — a distinction that is a point of pride to all of our constituencies and attracts prospective students. Additionally, many high-impact practices help students to utilize knowledge learned in classrooms in pragmatic settings, deepening problem-solving skills. To live up to this ideal and take full advantage of our strategic position, the University will support efforts and initiatives that bring students, faculty, staff, and community partners together on shared intellectual, creative, and/or academic exploration.

Create a Center for Project-Based Learning and Action

To fulfill its vision of preparing students to become informed, self-aware, and participatory citizens for our democracy and servant-leaders for the world, the University must provide opportunities to connect classroom experiences with experiential learning. Across the College and School of Theology, many faculty at the University of the South engage students in high-impact, project-based learning and research that provides opportunities for students to build multiple disciplinary perspectives and tools and integrate curricular and co-curricular experiences. This interdisciplinary, engaged inquiry is essential for our graduates’ ability to navigate the world and address its multifaceted cultural, economic, social, political, and environmental challenges.

Expand Data Analytics and Digital Humanities Across the Curriculum

Technology, data, and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important in our academic and everyday lives. They are transforming how we see the world around us, from our understanding of the impacts of policy to our visions of the ancient world. In this new landscape, students need to think critically and creatively in a world transformed by data and technology. At the same time, training in data analytics and expertise in digital technologies are becoming increasingly valuable skills for college graduates entering the workforce and are a major point of emphasis in recent University initiatives. Ability to use data analysis and digital forms of communication are critical for addressing global problems and becoming active citizens in a democracy.

Expand Business Offerings

Evidence shows high demand for business education from prospective students and their families. While we know that liberal arts education provides students with a solid foundation for many career paths, the uncertainty of the current and future job market has led students and their families to seek out opportunities for gaining business skills and knowledge while at Sewanee. This can be seen in the popularity of the business minor, which has been the most popular minor at Sewanee since its inception, and which currently includes about 25% of both the senior and junior classes. Furthermore, the success of the Carey Fellowship program in converting applicants to enrolled students indicates that our efforts to draw more students to campus by investing in business programming can be successful.

Three strategic pillars: Mind | Heart | Place

Mind
Renew and Enhance the Curriculum

Equipping our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and powers of discernment to greet the opportunities and to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.

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Heart
Enhance Student Formation and Leadership Development

Embracing our responsibility for character development, moral leadership, and the advancement of equity and social justice on campus, across the country, and around the world.

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Place
Become a Model of Inclusive Community and Environmental Stewardship

Realizing the full potential of the Domain—our laboratory, playground, and sanctuary—to create more opportunities to learn, explore, and reflect, leading in matters of the environment.

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