Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan

The 2018-21 Salem State University strategic plan is the result of a transparent and inclusive campus-wide planning process led by the institution’s collaboration committee. The university takes pride in its gains towards the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) system goals of college participation, college completion and closing achievement gaps. Of equal importance in accomplishing these goals has been a commitment to authentic teamwork, an openness to sincere dialogue, and the discernment and engagement required to undertake systemic change.

The 2018-21 strategic plan builds on these important gains, learns from both successes and challenges, is tempered by internal and external realities, and confidently presents bold yet feasible strategic priorities that align our institution’s strengths and the North Shore’s along with the Commonwealth’s educational, economic and workforce needs.

Student Success

Create a challenging and supportive learning environment that fully engages students in their learning and promotes attainment of academic, personal and career goals.

Academic Excellence

Develop and support high-quality academic programs and innovative educational experiences that equip Salem State graduates to thrive in an evolving workforce and to navigate confidently in an increasingly complex and global society.

Collaboration, Inclusion and Stewardship

Foster a university-wide culture of inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and stewardship. 

Financial Vitality and Sustainability

Strengthen Salem State’s financial foundation, align resources with priorities and foster innovation to drive new revenue streams. Identify and implement additional opportunities to contain, reduce or avoid future growth in costs.

• Board of Higher Education “Big Three”
  • Continue to boost college participation by strategically increasing enrollment
  • Continue to increase college completion rates due to improved academic advising and student success programming
  • Build on success of closing achievement gaps by focusing resources on the programmatic areas with highest impact
• Inclusive Excellence
• Science and Healthcare on a Liberal Arts Foundation
• Place
• Civic Responsibility

   

At Salem State University, two fundamental commitments unite and motivate us in daily pursuit of our mission:

• Academic excellence: Salem State cultivates an intellectually vibrant community led by a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching and enriched by students eager to learn and meet high standards of excellence.
• Student success: The university puts students first in all that we do and are committed to fostering success in their studies, careers and life.

We hold the following core values as a public university whose foundation is the liberal arts tradition:

• Access
• Civic Engagement
• Inclusion
• Innovation
• Scholarship
• Stewardship
• Well-roundedness
   

Vision-supporting overarching goals and key strategies: financial vitality and sustainability, and collaboration, inclusion and stewardship are foundational to achieving academic excellence and student success.