Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan for Guilford College 2011-2016: Outcomes of a Guilford Education is an exciting vision focused on our core business: the education of our students. Our ends are graduates who think critically, know globally, communicate effectively, create insightfully, choose diversity and engage responsibly. Our vision is institutional excellence. We have merged our excellent teaching, practical liberal arts education, and core values—areas of longstanding strength—with an intentional spotlight on the increasingly competitive global marketplace students confront after graduation. Our strategy exists on two levels: (1) strategic outcomes, the fundamental goals of the plan that are carefully assessed, and (2) strategic support, the “means” and programs needed to achieve the outcomes.
Strategic Outcomes: In addition to the general education and disciplinary centerpieces of a liberal arts education, these are the skills, knowledge, values and other attributes students need to succeed in the 21st century. Strategic outcomes for traditional, Adult Programs and Early College students fall into four broad areas:
- cognitive (think critically, know globally)
- skills (communicate effectively, create insightfully)
- values (engage responsibly, choose diversity)
- applications (ability to learn experientially, achieve personal and career goals)
Strategic Support: Strategic support consists mainly of maintaining or expanding activities we already do and aligning efforts. Initiatives include:
- Principled Problem Solving
- Expanded service and community learning
- Guilford Connects and digital portfolios, with staff support
- Career and graduate school advising and preparation
- Internships
- Faculty development opportunities
- Integrative learning, including an optional special term and grants for students’ self-designed projects and undergraduate research
- International focus and education, including more study away/abroad (semester-long and 2-3 week opportunities with scholarships) and international students (including financial aid)
- Information technology resources
- Communications education
- Sustainability and green initiatives
- Diversity plan initiatives and full completion of plan, including diversity of students, faculty and staff; academic and classroom experiences; workshops; and community initiatives
- Integrated communications and marketing plan, new Guilford website and intranet
Guilford will not stop preparing students to lead fulfilling lives guided by a meaningful philosophy. That would not be consistent with our liberal arts focus and core values. What we propose in SLRP II is the continued preparation of students by engaging them in creative and critical thinking by linking core values; academic and liberal arts excellence; and community and global involvement, experiences and engagement. We want our graduates to be well educated, employable and equipped for life’s pursuits.
Read The Strategic Plan for Guilford College 2011-2016: Outcomes of a Guilford Education.
Read the final report of The Strategic Plan for Guilford College 2005-2010: Creative Leadership for the 21st Century.
Read the 2012 Progress Report.
