Strategic Plan 2010–2015
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President Alan Cureton Presents Northwestern’s Strategic Plan Our Challenge!
“Because we care deeply about our students and listeners—and the cause of the Gospel— Northwestern’s future demands our best!”
We care about our students. We care about their spiritual formation. We care about their intellectual and moral development. We care about their futures. We care about our listeners. Because we care, we are committed to Godhonoring excellence in scholarship (teaching and learning) and media. With this clear focus, I am pleased to share with you the 2010–2015 Long Range Strategic Plan for Northwestern College and Northwestern Media. Together we will navigate various challenges and opportunities, spanning all areas of college life and media ministry. Let us keep our focus on Christ as we seek answers and shared understanding of this far-reaching question: As a Christ-centered institution of higher education, media ministry, and cultural engagement, how will Northwestern College uphold and promote a biblical worldview in all its endeavors? In June 2010, the Board of Trustees of Northwestern College approved the Long Range Strategic Plan (Phase II) and with it the following priority goals for the future of Northwestern College and Northwestern Media: Northwestern College
Northwestern Media
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Build a Christ-centered Learning Community
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Pursue Academic Excellence
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Cultivate Leadership Development
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Pursue Media Excellence
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Ensure Sufficient Resources and Their Efficient,
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Develop God-honoring Leaders
Effective Use
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Acquire/Ensure Efficient Use of Resources
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Implement New Delivery Systems
Build Christ-centered, Engaging and Nurturing Communities
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201 0–1 5 L ong R ange S t rateg ic Plan
ur new Strategic Plan represents the faith
of our purpose, inspired by God’s great faithfulness,
and efforts of faculty, staff, administrators,
will show our desire to continue a path to honor Him,
trustees, students and other Northwestern
to strengthen our academic, student life, and media
stakeholders. It is my hope that every member of our
programs, and to embark on several initiatives that
community feels the same sense of God’s ownership
promise to make a positive impact on our mission—
in our collective future. With an enrollment that’s
both college and media—for generations to come.
approaching 3,100 in undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, and ever-widening opportunities
This conversation outlines the goals that guide our next
for intellectual growth and the pursuit of God’s truth,
steps in the 2010–2015 Strategic Plan and opens the way
Northwestern continues to mature as a Christian
to explore new paths of scholarship and stewardship,
institution of higher learning. As we model Christ
programs and potential. It explores strategies to make
to one another (and to our media audience) we must
more effective use of our resources to impact the lives
continue to inspire students to strive for academic
and careers of our students, and those of our faculty and
excellence, widen their global perspective and prepare
staff.
them to serve others in God-honoring leadership roles. These are signposts of opportunity for our ministry
Meeting these challenges calls for a collaboration of our
together.
abilities, time and resources. We will be looking to our entire college community to help set priorities and reach
I believe the period of 2003–2015 (Phases I & II of
these goals. Bring us your best ideas on how to translate
Northwestern’s strategic plan) will be looked upon
our aspirations into mission-building action for the
as a key period in our history because it brought new
future.
potential and promise to our organization. The courage
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Northwestern College
Mission Statement: Northwestern College exists to provide Christ-centered higher education equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually, to serve effectively in their professions, and to give God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community, and world.
Build a Christ-centered Learning Community
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hile knowledge represents the mind of
We already have begun this process. Through campus-
Northwestern, community represents
wide discussions, we seek to arrive at a shared
the heart. We are unified through Jesus
understanding of what it means to be Christ-centered
Christ—our living center. This truth frees us to seek
as we live and learn in community. We are also reaching
to live in God’s will and to fulfill His purposes for our
out to strengthen the link between Northwestern
college, and for the lives of our students. How will we
College and the leaders, programs, churches and other
build on this legacy for our future?
organizations in the local community and beyond.
The Long Range Planning Committee has wisely
Buoyed by that dialogue, we will launch efforts to
determined that organizational maturity is an ongoing
incorporate this shared understanding into the fabric
and important area of development. What are the
of the college. Part of that understanding involves the
characteristics of a mature, Christ-centered learning
need to enhance and broaden our Christ-centered
community? How can we effectively communicate
global perspectives. To more effectively fulfill our
our shared vision? How can we facilitate spiritual and
mission, we will extend our reach far beyond Roseville.
intellectual growth? How can we better prepare students
We will cultivate new opportunities for faculty and
to live, work, and serve in a global society? How can
students to engage with other cultures through study
we strengthen and maximize a culture of service and
abroad, exchange programs, and collaborations with
outreach to the external community? We have developed
international institutions. This process will provide a
the following directional statement to help guide us:
firm footing for the creation of new programs as we work together to make a global impact for the glory of
To intentionally mature and grow our community of believers and educators, and to model Christ to one another and to the greater community as an expression of the glory of God.
God.
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Northwestern College
Pursue Academic Excellence community will discuss and define a campus-wide
Directional Statement:
statement of biblical worldview for incorporation into To enhance a Christ-centered, intellectually stimulating culture of learning.
our core curriculum and each academic major. We will raise the level of students’ academic performance and job readiness by promoting student involvement
The world is increasingly defined by the global exchange
in professional conferences and activities, and by
of people and ideas. In addition, students are seeking
increasing scholarly partnerships between faculty and
engaging and innovative learning opportunities.
their students.
This new reality sharpens our focus on academic excellence and provides opportunities to underscore our
We will also explore new avenues to support faculty
distinctiveness as a Christ-centered institution of higher
development and increase effective teaching and
learning.
learning by establishing an active Center for Teaching & Learning, expanding the role of Academic Support
As followers of Christ, we believe that God is the
Services and Career Development, piloting a blended
source of all knowledge. Therefore we will continue
learning program initiative (online and in classroom),
to vigorously seek excellence in understanding and
and developing more interdisciplinary opportunities.
applying the Word of God. To provide clarity for current and future generations, the Northwestern
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Northwestern College
Cultivate Leadership Development a quality program that, founded on the biblical model
Directional Statement:
of Christ, prepares him or her to be a God-honoring To intentionally increase the capacity of faculty, staff, students, and listeners to serve as leaders who meaningfully influence others for God’s glory.
servant leader. As this Strategic Plan unfolds, we must ask ourselves how to best equip our people and utilize our resources to ensure that the principles of
Proverbs 27:17 reads, “As iron sharpens iron, so one
good leadership are integrated into the Northwestern
man sharpens another.”
experience and curriculum.
God-honoring leadership can have a profoundly positive
We are focused on building the finest Leadership
effect on people’s lives. We all need someone to believe
Center we can. Our strategies include establishing a
in us, to see the best in us, to see Christ in us, and to
core committee charged with determining the best
help us be one of His voices in the world. Because we
combination of resources, ideas, and critical thinking
are created in God’s image, He is worthy of our best.
to develop strong Christian leaders. The committee’s wide-ranging duties will include overseeing structure
We are committed to cultivating Christ-centered leaders
and staffing of the Leadership Center, building its
at Northwestern. I believe that every person within
financial plan, and guiding the creation of a leadership
our community deserves the opportunity to be part of
philosophy statement.
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Northwestern College
Ensure Sufficient Resources and Their Efficient, Effective Use Directional Statement:
curriculum, broaden our programs, and adopt a more global perspective, we need to ensure our economic
To intentionally increase the organization’s revenue levels and sources while maintaining and further cultivating a culture of thankfulness and dependence on God, and continuously improving the mission of effective and efficient stewardship of its existing and future resources.
vitality by increasing revenues and monitoring their effective and efficient use. In these uniquely challenging economic times, we recognize that financial pressures and uncertainties
Northwestern’s unique purpose is intentional Christ-
are a reality for our students. Therefore, it is imperative
centered higher education. It is here, in our classrooms,
that we continue to be mindful of the importance
that we tell the story of God’s grace and bring students
of a steadfast and conservative approach to fiscal
to understand not only the Bible, but arts, sciences and
responsibility.
vocations from a Christo-centric perspective. We see our campus growing and changing all around us. As we thoughtfully and prayerfully strengthen our
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Northwestern Media
Northwestern Media is uniquely equipped to pursue its mission “to lead people to Christ and nurture believers in their spiritual growth through Christ-centered media.” Setting the course for the years ahead, we will continue to fulfill this mission by focusing on five priority goals.
Build Christcentered, Engaging and Nurturing Communities
Pursue Media Excellence
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e will pursue excellence in hiring spiritually and professionally qualified
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staff and providing equipment to
y the nature of its ministry (mediated
ensure high standards of technical quality. We
rather than face-to-face), Northwestern
will fulfill our mission by creating compelling and
Media will continue to build virtual rather
relevant content (programming) to minister to as
than physical communities. Using both on-air and
broad an audience as possible as we seek to fulfill
interactive/digital media such as Facebook and
our mission. Because there are limits applied to
YouTube, we invite audience members to participate
what we can do on-air, we will continue to expand
in conversations about life and faith. Communities
ministry resources on our talk/teaching stations and
of staff members and listeners are forming around
on the web.
service initiatives—prayer, volunteering and doing random acts of kindness in Jesus’ name. We will inform audiences of ministries around the world and invite them to get involved by giving and praying.
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Northwestern Media
Develop Godhonoring Leaders
Implement New Delivery Systems
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e will continue to conduct classes
ystems of delivering media content to
for media staff in Bible doctrine
audiences are changing rapidly and we
and church history as well as
need to keep pace with audience demands
Northwestern’s philosophy of media. We will help
and interests. Northwestern Media will regularly
selected staff members upgrade their leadership
conduct research on audiences to assess their use
skills through special training courses. We will also
of and expectations regarding the use of interactive/
provide both internal and external opportunities for
digital technologies. We will reconfigure content
staff to develop leadership skills. And, we will seek
and organizational structure to account for changes
ways to engage members of the listening audience in
dictated by these new delivery systems.
opportunities for leadership and service within the geographical regions we serve.
Acquire/Ensure Efficient, Effective Use of Resources
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e will continue to grow financial resources through a balanced program of fundraising and business
underwriting, setting a goal of increasing revenue by 5–7 % annually. Our goal is to set aside 12–15% annually in depreciation funding, reserves and a growth fund. We will also demonstrate stewardship by rigorously controlling costs.
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Conclusion The time is now. Because we care deeply about our students and listeners, we will raise our expectations and seek opportunities for improvement. Because we care deeply about our students and listeners, we must make choices that will continue to strengthen the very foundation of our organization while simultaneously looking for new horizons. Because we care deeply about our students and listeners, we are compelled to continually seek the promise that the Lord has for Northwestern.
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Vision Statement Because of God’s compelling love, we will TEACH wisdom and understanding to REACH all nations for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:14, Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 28:19