A supplement to the St. Ursula Academy Summer 2013 magazine
A Bright Future for SUA A New Strategic Plan is Lighting the Way
St. Ursula Academy is heading into Year One of a new 3-5 year Long Range Strategic Plan. Elizabeth Kehling ‘13
A Bright Future for SUA St. Ursula Academy is heading into Year One of a new 3-5 year Long Range Strategic Plan.
We saw an opportunity to explore our strengths so we can continue to excel and identify opportunities where we can grow and improve. Every member of the faculty and staff of St. Ursula along with more than 60 supporters, friends, board members, past parents and experts spent all of last school year working on the initial phase of plan. Four meetings to identify the strengths and areas for growth in nine (9) planning areas which include: Academics, Administration/Finance, Advancement/Marketing, Athletics, Buildings and Grounds, Faculty and Staff, Spiritual Life, Student Life, and Technology. Those meetings culminated in a 2-day Convocation attended by 250 people. In addition to the faculty and staff, board members, community leaders, and subject experts volunteered to be part of the two-day convocation to discuss the top strengths and challenges in each
group. Among the participants were leaders from several area grade schools, high schools, and colleges including The University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University and the University of Dayton. Also participating were several corporate leaders and professionals with expertise in one or more of the nine planning areas. The large attendance and support by the community leaders was quite impressive and humbling for the leadership of St. Ursula. Even the consultant from the Institute of School and Parish Development, Frank Donaldson, commented that the number of attendees from outside of the faculty and staff and the number of them who participated both days was a record high in more than 25 years of hosting these events.
In addition to talking in groups, Convocation participants heard about the history and current details about the school from SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77 and Principal Craig Maliborski. Religion teacher Lisa Baute Caito ’00 also spoke and organized a group of student speakers who talked about what St. Ursula means to them. Featured student speakers were Elise Hurwitz ’14, a senior, and Elizabeth Kehling ’13 (shown) who is continuing her education this year at Miami University. Of the challenges that surfaced through the process, the convocation participants voted and the Core Strategic Planning Team reviewed the top vote-getters, resulting in the top ten challenges that will be tackled over the next 3-5 years.
Frank Donaldson, President of Institute of School and Parish Development (ISPD)
St. Ursula Academy LRSP Top Ten Challenges 2013
6) How can we create state of the art facilities for the needs we’ve identified, while optimizing space utilization of existing facilities: • Theater • Library • Art-Design Center • Administrative Offices • Community areas to meet programming needs 7) How can we encourage our young women to be active servant leaders and prophets in the church and in the world?
1) How do we devise a plan for academic excellence rooted in Ursuline core values relevant to 21st century learning: critical thinking, creativity? Co-chairs Mary Ann Meyer and Dr. Jane Knudsen 2) How can we keep tuition and fees affordable and attractive for all families? Co-chairs Jodi Clever and Mary Kay Pastura Hauser ‘68 3) How can we continue to attract, support, assess, reward and retain the best faculty, staff and coaches that fulfill and serve our Catholic Ursuline mission? Co-chairs Fr. Bill Verbryke, S.J. and Kathy Backherms ‘73l
SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer ‘77
4) How can we substantially increase our endowment in five years to positively impact, among other things, financial aid for St. Ursula Academy students? Co-chairs Liz Johnson and Liz Niehaus 5) How can we encourage our students to be involved and engaged in activities at St. Ursula Academy and at the same time maintain a balance and strong sense of organization, priority and direction? Co-chairs Sarah Catlin and Jen Helmers
8) How can we continue to provide a safe and secure campus; given the open campus- in an ever-changing urban environment?
9) How can we cultivate an appreciation for cultural and ethnic diversity with all members of our faith community here at St. Ursula Academy? 10) How can we meet the needs of College Preparatory students with varying abilities?
A New Strategic Plan is Lighting the Way
NEXT STEPS The challenges are prioritized and the top five, as shown in bold, are identified and approved by the Board of Trustees. Now, teams of SUA faculty and staff, board members and SUA community members are beginning to identify viable solutions to the challenges. We are so grateful to the many Convocation and Planning Team participants who volunteered to work on finding and implementing the solutions to our challenges. “We are very energized and excited by the ideas that are coming out of this process,” said St. Ursula President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77. “We know even more great things will be happening at St. Ursula as the result of this process.” We will continue to keep the St. Ursula Academy community up to date via our website and this magazine on the progress of our Long Range Strategic Planning process.