Linfield's 2012-20 Strategic Plan
Enhancing the Student Experience
For more than 150 years, Linfield has shaped the lives of our students by advancing a vision that connects learning, life and community. Our students find their callings by linking the traditional liberal arts with a practically-based education through collaborative research, service and experiential learning opportunities.
Our strategic plan sets a course for the future at Linfield University. Hundreds from our college community – faculty, administrators, students, staff, trustees, alumni, parents and friends – contributed their insights and perspectives as the strategic plan was formulated. Their input continued to play a crucial role when we reviewed and updated the strategic plan mid-cycle.
That mission will not change. With this strategic plan as our guide, we will make our college even better for our students. We will take steps to:
- Integrate Experiences — Students will view their own learning as coordinated, coherent and intentional. They will engage with a wide variety of individuals and communities as a result of closer links between the first-year experience, January Term, mid-point experiences, interdisciplinary courses and capstone projects, as well as interactions with alumni, regional partners and the global community. By the time they graduate, they will have developed the ability to think flexibly and to articulate themselves in diverse settings.
- Expand Programs — New investments in faculty, facilities and student funding will allow an even greater development of students’ practical skills in both academic and experiential settings; expansion of global studies, civic engagement and environmental awareness; exploration of new technologies and more. Our objective is to graduate students who possess three central traits: a rigorous understanding of a field of knowledge; an ability to negotiate multiple settings, cultures and levels of leadership; and practical skills gleaned from internships and a variety of other in-class and out-of-class experiences.
- Improve Access — In order to serve qualified students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, access and affordability are more important than ever. Graduating with a personalized education for personal and professional success must be economically feasible for our students and their families. Admitting students and hiring faculty and staff from underrepresented groups will improve campus diversity and enhance multicultural competencies in our students. We will continue our commitment to financially support the recruitment, retention and success of students from all populations.
Even as the 21st century presents our nation with a developing range of economic, social and global challenges, Linfield will stand on our tradition, yet be prepared to respond, adapt and seek new opportunities to enhance the educational experiences of our students.