Luther's President Ward Activates Five-Year Plan

DECORAH — On Tuesday, July 16, Luther College President Jenifer K. Ward sent out a letter announcing the activation of a new framework intended to preserve the longevity of the college. According to the Strategic Framework site, the three pillars of this plan include "expanding our reach, aligning our resources and strengthening our organization," and will involve facility upgrades, staff consolidation and more structural changes to the college. Of this plan, President Ward wrote: Dear Alumni and Friends of Luther, Today, we announced the activation of a strategic staffing plan, one of the key initiatives in the "Strengthen Our Organization" pillar of the Strategic Framework 2023-2025. This is a robust, comprehensive strategy to ensure Luther's short- and long-term success, by optimizing our commitment to placing students' needs at the center of all that we do. Higher education finds itself in a time of profound change and challenge. Luther College is not immune to the rising costs associated with higher education and we are also not immune to the demographic and societal factors that have led to fewer students seeking a college degree. Consequently, we must bring our cost structure into alignment with this reality, which calls for bold action and thoughtful choices. Luther, like all of higher education, must prioritize, integrate, collaborate, and optimize to sustain its vision for the future as an educational institution grounded in its location and mission, and global in its reach and in its impact. We are successfully implementing a five-year plan to ensure the strength and stability of the college – rooted in modest enrollment growth, expanding philanthropy, and a focus on expense management and wise investment – and we have the runway to do it, thanks to the work of those who came before us. Many colleges like us do not have the endowment, liquidity, and assets that allow us to make reasoned decisions while still safeguarding the experience of our current students. In addition, we are preparing for a comprehensive fundraising campaign focused on endowment growth and capital priorities, as outlined in the Campus Master Plan, that support whole student success. One project is the renovation of the Gerdin Fieldhouse, which builds on the successful renovation of the Sports and Recreation Center. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we will begin a major part of the project in August. The faculty is implementing a new general education curriculum, and we are intent on working with faculty and staff to focus their energy in areas of growth and opportunity, such as the design and programming work for the Preus Library renovation. The strategic staffing plan will help ensure that the good work of individuals and programs is strongly aligned with Luther's overall institutional strategy and its priorities, guided by our core values of excellence, sustainability, inclusivity, curiosity and community. As part of the plan's activation, we have reviewed the entire non-faculty organizational chart and made decisions that support our key priorities: some staff will be added, some staff roles will change or be consolidated, and a limited number of staff (non-faculty) positions will be eliminated. The strategic staffing plan will help ensure that Luther College continues to fulfill its mission and strategic objectives, build on recent momentum, better meet the needs of a new generation of students, and go forward with a renewed focus on financial sustainability. Luther has just completed its most successful fundraising year in history, and the recruitment process for new students for the Fall '24 entering cohort is on track to surpass that of last year. We are happy about these exciting changes and sober about the need to make some difficult choices that will be felt widely in our close-knit community. Our collective, shared obligation is to position Luther for future vitality. Our alumni and friends know how important relationships are for this college. In that spirit, I want to thank you for your steadfast and ongoing commitment to Luther College and to the people who work to provide the same enriching experience to our students that you and others enjoyed. For that and all you do in support of Luther, we are grateful. Soli Deo Gloria,President Jenifer K. Ward Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.