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Implementation and Metrics

Saint Louis University's next strategic plan begins in academic year 2026–27 and concludes June 30, 2030. Implementation will be led by Kathy E. Johnson, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost, and each action will have a named executive sponsor accountable for an implementation plan, clear milestones and measurable results.

Progress will be reviewed annually, with a comprehensive assessment at the plan’s midpoint, and we will adjust our approach as we learn what works and as conditions change.

The table below shows the phase of each action in each year of the plan: design and decision, implementation and steady operation.

Initiative 1: Build an Agile Student-Centered Academic Enterprise

Action AY 26-27 AY 27-28 AY 28-29 AY 29-30
1.1 Academic portfolio review Decide Implement Operating Operating
1.2 Academic structure redesign Decide Implement Operating Operating
1.3 Portfolio management capability Build First cycle Routine Routine

Initiative 2: Deliver a Distinctive Experience and Advantage for SLU Graduates

Action AY 26-27 AY 27-28 AY 28-29 AY 29-30
2.1 Student support ecosystem Design Implement Implement Operating
2.2 Formation-centered AI Define Embed Embed Operating
2.3 Cocurricular formation experience Design Implement Implement Operating
2.4 Career pathways Design Implement Operating Operating
2.5 Faculty talent strategy Design Implement Implement Operating

Initiative 3: Focus and Invest in Research and Scholarship for Distinction

Action AY 26-27 AY 27-28 AY 28-29 AY 29-30
3.1 Signature research pillars Select Invest Invest Operating
3.2 Undergraduate research experience Design Expand Expand Operating
3.3 External investment base for research   Design Build Operating

Initiative 4: Expand Enrollment Pathways and Access

Action AY 26-27 AY 27-28 AY 28-29 AY 29-30
4.1 Integrated enrollment strategy Design Implement Implement Operating
4.2 Transfer enrollment and success Design Implement Operating Operating
4.3 Serving new learner populations   Design Launch Scale
4.4 Marketing and storytelling capability Design Deploy Deploy Operating

Topline Key Performance Indicators

We will develop a comprehensive set of indicators to track progress on the plan’s four initiatives. The measures listed below are our topline metrics: a focused set of enterprise-level indicators that will provide a clear view of our progress toward the plan’s most important outcomes.

  1. Total enrollment, reported by segment
  2. First-year retention and four- and six-year graduation rates
  3. Two- and three-year transfer graduation rates
  4. Graduate outcomes; first-destination placement and earnings
  5. Student participation in high-impact and formation experiences
  6. Student sense of belonging
  7. Faculty and staff engagement and sense of belonging
  8. Annual research expenditures
  9. Net tuition revenue
  10. Alumni and donor engagement and total giving