Close your eyes and imagine a Christian university that is a national model for student success. Chowan University’s new strategic plan ensures just that through academic strength and excellence of the University. The Strategic Plan for 2017-2022 reflects two years of careful discussion and strategy by representatives across the University, led by President White. It articulates the mission, core values, and vision of the University. These strategic aims, goals, objectives, and action steps will guide the growth of the University over the next five years. The Chowan University Board of Trustees approved the new strategic plan on Thursday, November 2.

The strategic plan incorporates three new strategic aims, each outlined with a specific goal, objectives and action steps: Reimagine, Transform, Sustain. The first strategic aim noted in the plan is to reimagine teaching and learning. The second strategic aim is to transform the student experience. The final strategic aim is to shape a sustainable future. Each aim is combined with a correlating goal. There are a total of 14 additional objectives and 72 action steps to outline and guide implementation.

The mission statement now reads, “Chowan University, grounded in its Christian faith, transforms the lives of students of promise.” The University fosters its mission in a number of different ways across the curriculum and student life. Guided by its Christian character, it enrolls and retains promising students of all backgrounds and equips them with the knowledge, skills, and ethical values necessary to flourish in a culturally diverse, global society. Active participation in discovery and creative activities are supported in the teaching and learning environment, to include intercollegiate athletic programs that enhance academic and personal development of not only the individual but the team as well. Social and spiritual needs are fostered through personal attention in a caring community allowing the cultivation of relationships with students, alumni, churches, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders.

The new core values are Faith, Inclusion, Imagination, and Engagement. As the tag line explains, Faith in Your Future underscores all efforts made by the University. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and points of view are valued. Questioning spirits are encouraged, understanding that scholarship and its quest for knowledge is the cornerstone of imagination. Finally, a caring environment is fostered, engaging all members of the University community as active participants in service to one another and the greater world.

“Imagine a Christian university that is a national model of student success within an inclusive community. Imagine a Christian university that advances the calling of our students through teaching, learning, engaging, and serving. Imagine a Christian university that is defined by the opportunities we create, by the lives we transform, and by the futures we shape. You have imagined the university we seek to become.” This is the new vision of Chowan University.

To view the entire strategic plan, visit www.chowan.edu/about/mission-vision.