91Ó°ÊÓ

Higher education is operating within an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving environment. Demographic shifts—particularly across the Midwest—are reducing the number of traditional college-aged students, intensifying competition among institutions, and placing sustained pressure on enrollment.

At the same time, tuition discount rates continue to rise across the sector, reflecting both competitive pressures and growing concerns among students and families regarding affordability and return on investment. Increasingly, students are making enrollment decisions based on clear pathways to career outcomes, financial stability, and long-term value.

These dynamics have elevated the importance of student success as a core institutional priority. Retention, persistence, and graduation rates are no longer only student-centered measures—they are critical indicators of institutional effectiveness, financial sustainability, and mission fulfillment.

The higher education model itself is also evolving. Institutions are expanding online, hybrid, and flexible program offerings to meet the needs of today’s learners, while expectations for personalized support, experiential learning, and career readiness continue to grow.

In parallel, institutional culture and community remain essential differentiators. Universities that foster strong, supportive environments for students, faculty, and staff are better positioned to drive engagement, persistence, and long-term success.

These converging pressures—enrollment volatility, rising discount rates, shifting student expectations, and increasing operational costs—are contributing to significant financial strain across the sector. Institutions that are unable to adapt are facing heightened risk, with closures and consolidations becoming more frequent.

In this context, strategic clarity and disciplined execution are essential. The 91Ó°ÊÓ Promise is designed to align institutional priorities, focus resources, and strengthen outcomes across enrollment, student success, and financial sustainability—ensuring that 91Ó°ÊÓ is positioned not only to navigate this environment, but to lead within it.

The four pillars of the 91Ó°ÊÓ Promise—Flourishing Students, Transformational Learning, Thriving Community, and Sustainable Financial Health—are intentionally interconnected and grounded in our mission to prepare students for lives of significance and service.

Flourishing Students reflects our commitment to holistic formation—academic, personal, and spiritual—ensuring that each student is supported in discovering their calling and living out their purpose. This flourishing is made possible by Transformational Learning, which integrates knowledge, faith, and practice, equipping students with both wisdom and skill.

A Thriving Community embodies our Christian, city-centered, and intercultural identity—fostering belonging, care, and shared purpose among students, faculty, and staff. This community is essential to both student formation and institutional strength.

Sustainable Financial Health reflects our commitment to faithful stewardship—ensuring that resources are aligned with mission, access is expanded, and the university is positioned to serve future generations.

Each pillar contributes to and depends on the others, forming a cohesive, mission-centered framework that advances both student flourishing and the long-term strength of 91Ó°ÊÓ.

The promise: 91Ó°ÊÓ promises to nurture every student’s growth—academically, personally, and spiritually—ensuring they graduate prepared for lives of significance, service, and success.

The promise in practice: As the cornerstone of the 91Ó°ÊÓ Promise, 91Ó°ÊÓ will deliver an integrated student experience that connects a strong sense of belonging, proactive advising, affordable access, and career preparation—ensuring every student is supported to retain, persist, graduate, and move confidently into lives of purpose and service.

• Learning in beloved community
• Proactive academic advising
• Affordable access
• Future readiness

Why it’s important: This pillar ensures that every student at 91Ó°ÊÓ can succeed and persist to graduation, prepared to serve and lead.

The Promise: 91Ó°ÊÓ promises to deliver an education that transforms—equipping students with both knowledge and wisdom.

The promise in practice: 91Ó°ÊÓ will deliver a transformational, faith-integrated experience that combines innovative academic programs, engaged and supported educators, community-based learning, and a practical liberal arts foundation—equipping students to lead and serve in a changing world.

• Flexible learning models
• Innovative instruction
• Civic engagement
• Practical liberal arts

Why it’s important: Education at 91Ó°ÊÓ is about preparing graduates for purposeful lives and impactful leadership.

The promise: 91Ó°ÊÓ will build a thriving and welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff feel valued and supported.

The promise in practice: 91Ó°ÊÓ will cultivate a welcoming and thriving community by investing in people and culture, enhancing campus spaces, advancing intercultural excellence, and supporting faculty and staff development—ensuring a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose across the institution.

• People and culture
• Space and place
• Intercultural excellence
• Faculty and staff flourishing

Why it’s important: A thriving community ensures 91Ó°ÊÓ is a place where every individual flourishes.

The promise: 91Ó°ÊÓ will build a sustainable financial foundation, aligning resources with our mission to secure a thriving future.

The promise in practice: 91Ó°ÊÓ will strengthen its financial foundation by growing enrollment, expanding philanthropic support, aligning resources with strategic priorities, and elevating its institutional identity—ensuring long-term sustainability and mission impact.

• Fiscal health
• Philanthropic growth
• Enrollment and retention
• Elevated brand and identity

Why it’s important: Sustainable financial health ensures 91Ó°ÊÓ thrives for generations to come.