February Board of Trustees Summary: Focus on Strategic Planning
March 12, 2026
Dear SLU faculty and staff,
I write to share a summary of the Board of Trustees meetings held on February 26 and 27.
Strategic Planning Workshop
We adjusted the typical Board committee schedule to dedicate significant time to a strategic planning workshop that will inform SLU’s next strategic plan.
Trustees were impressed and encouraged by the SLU community’s engagement. This spring, more than 600 people attended campus convenings in St. Louis and Madrid, over 330 faculty and staff completed a qualitative survey, and student leaders are preparing to launch a student-designed survey in collaboration with members of the steering committee.
The Board workshop — expertly facilitated by SLU professor and steering committee member Dr. Jennifer Giancola —focused on gathering trustee perspectives on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified in the steering committee’s work-in-progress and campus input to date. Themes from the Board’s discussions will be shared with the steering committee at its next meeting, ensuring trustee insights and recommendations join those of faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders in shaping the developing plan. Strategic planning updates will also be shared at upcoming meetings of the Faculty Senate (March 17) and Staff Advisory Committee (March 19).
University Updates
Mission and Identity: Vice President for Mission and Identity Fr. David Suwalsky, S.J., and Director of Mission Formation Virginia Herbers led a mission formation exercise with trustees that included reflections from Interim Vice President for Research Ellen Barnidge and School of Education Dean Gary Ritter. Their contributions helped ground the meeting in our shared Jesuit mission. In addition, the Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Greene, S.J., provincial superior of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, shared a report on Province activities and priorities.
Enrollment: Provost Mike Lewis reported that it is still early to project final outcomes for the fall 2026 semester, but new first-year enrollment is currently tracking with expectations. New international enrollment, however, is expected to decline again in fall 2026 because of ongoing federal restrictions on student visa issuance.
Academic Programs: The Board approved several academic programs designed to respond to emerging opportunities through interdisciplinary approaches. These include new Master of Science degrees in Technology and Leadership, and in Artificial Intelligence and Medicine. A new set of undergraduate majors will combine computer science with the arts, humanities, or social sciences—connecting SLU’s strengths in technology and the liberal arts.
Additionally, a Doctor of Medical Sciences (D.M.S.) for physician assistants/associates, and a Master of Science in Health Informatics will support career advancement in health professions.
The Board also approved the closure of several academic programs that departments recommended for closure due to no or very low enrollment. Teach-out plans are in place for all remaining students in these programs.
Budget: Trustees received an update on this year’s budget. Revenue related to student housing and federal research funding is currently lower than budget expectations; we are monitoring these areas closely. Trustees were also briefed on the FY27 budget planning process now underway. University leaders will share budget process updates at the Faculty Senate meeting on March 17 and the Staff Advisory Committee meeting on March 19.
On Thursday evening, February 26, trustees gathered at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art for another spotlight event, featuring the College of Arts and Sciences. Through tours, presentations, and conversations with faculty and students, trustees experienced firsthand the mission-driven teaching, scholarship, applied work, and creative endeavors happening across the college. Then on Friday morning, students from the Billiken men’s soccer team joined trustees for breakfast and conversation.
These events reinforced what is clear every day: SLU trustees are deeply committed to the University’s work, and our faculty, staff, and students bring tremendous passion and talent to advancing our mission. As we continue refining our vision for the future, the strength of this community remains one of our greatest assets.
Sincerely,
Edward Feser, Ph.D.
President