Bluefield University’s Strategic Plan

Overview

Bluefield University’s strategic plan serves to remind us of our priorities as an institution. It exists to focus our efforts and resources, strengthen the mission, ensure that the campus community is working toward common goals, and establish agreement around those intended outcomes. It shapes and guides who we are, who we serve, what we do, and why we do it, with a focus on the future.

Strategic Priority No. 1

Develop a cohesive brand that can clearly be articulated and easily recognized by all stakeholders.

Performance Objectives

1.1 Create and resource a robust Department of Marketing and Public Relations.
1.2 Develop a cohesive brand identity through collaborative input from all stakeholder groups that tell the Bluefield University story.
1.3 Implement service-learning requirement/activity focused on developing Christ-centered workplace and social skills in all programs.
1.4 Develop a plan for program-centered recruiting (goals, timelines, and deliverables).
1.5 Serve as an educational hub for partners across the region to build economic, cultural, and intellectual capacity by enhancing our visibility.

Strategic Priority No. 2

Implement long-term sustainability strategies by stabilizing and creating new and predictable streams of revenue while efficiently stewarding resources.

Performance Objectives

2.1 Implement a new budget model, the Strategic Planning Budget Assessment Model, with a dashboard system to regularly monitor and communicate the new budget model analytics and outcomes.
2.2 Implement a new scholarship model that maximizes the University’s financial leveraging and provides greater control to the institution.
2.3 Establish a sophomore and junior search and nurture operation with tactics to increase inquiries.
2.4 Adequately solicit resources in the amount of $20 million at the completion of the Centennial Campaign to increase scholarships, grow the endowment, and capital funds for the science center expansion, along with student wellness and activities.
2.5 Increase enrollment by improving process such as establishing a contact center (phone, chat, and text) operation with linear progressive outreach volumes in the institution with professional staff to execute telephone strategies in support of state enrollment goals.
2.6 Acquire $2 million in grant funding by targeting initiatives for under-served students, retention, diversity, health science, stem programs, education, etc.
2.7 Develop articulation agreements and partnerships with organizations that include churches and post-secondary institutions that improves the pathways toward graduation and enhances enrollment.
2.8 Increase the number of online, undergraduate programs.
2.9 Develop at least one doctoral program (priority: DNP, EDD, DBA).

Strategic Priority No. 3

Optimize internal processes to enhance the student and faculty/staff experience.

Performance Objectives

3.1 Develop unit handbooks to assist directors and new hires during employee transitions.
3.2 Provide ongoing training/professional development opportunities for employees.
3.3 Strengthen compensation packages, balance workloads, and increase professional development activities for faculty.
3.4 Develop a working process for effective communication and customer service across all campus stakeholder groups.
3.5 Identify, prioritize, and implement unit specific technologies to improve work-flow, student experience, and going 100% paperless.
3.6 Instill accountability in all athletic operations including implementing and maintaining proper controls to ensure compliance with institutional, NAIA, and conference policies and procedures.
3.7 Enhance, explore, and implement new initiatives that are designed to recruit a talented and diverse staff including recognizing the importance of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
3.8 Effectively steward the student fee revenue to enhance the student experience and create enrollment and retention lift.
3.9 Select and utilize the best technologies and processes to optimize the student experience (i.e. registration, changing majors, access courses, manage programs, etc.).

Strategic Priority No. 4

Execute a comprehensive, integrated plan to promote student success, that begins before enrollment and continues after graduation, and focuses on retaining and graduating students.

Performance Objectives

4.1 Grow and develop campus-wide service organizations.
4.2 Connect employers, community partners, alumni, and donors to career centers for internships, mentorship opportunities, and job placement.
4.3 Review and update the general education program using a cross-disciplinary approach to skills development.
4.4 Develop faculty institutional support strategies that improve student engagement and progress as measured by metrics such as course outcomes, retention rates, and graduation rates.
4.5 Develop a comprehensive plan for identifying at-risk students and mobilizing care quickly and efficiently.
4.6 Establish targets for improving retention, persistence, and completion that are appropriate to the institutional type and consistent with national and peer standards.

Strategic Priority No. 5

Modernize our campus facilities and strengthen the infrastructure, tools, and technologies, that support student success in the classroom and serve employee’s needs, as well as prepare students to be competitive in the workplace.

Performance Objectives

5.1 Develop a comprehensive improvement plan to enhance campus facilities (i.e. athletic facilities, residence halls, academic facilities, etc.).
5.2 Implement a campus-wide technology ecosystem (devices, instruction support, and learning specialists) to support faculty, staff, and student success.

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

This form requires credentials in order to request information.