Contextualizing the Vision
At the time of the envisioning SC 2028: Building Our Future, higher education is facing substantial challenges and headwinds from several directions. Colleges must adapt in order to survive and thrive over the next decade. Given the challenges facing the College immediately and the looming demographic cliff, it is imperative for the College that the student body is diversified in all ways, at Main Campus and SC Global. The SC 2028: Building Our Future strategic plan has been developed intentionally to address the College’s major challenges around our current student demographics, diversified revenue streams including philanthropic support, and the needs of our community in Winfield and Cowley County.
By 2028, SC will project greater confidence in our mission and our ability to graduate students ready for the world, have a greater impact on our community, region through the work of the College, and the world through our graduates, and enjoy fiscal strength and access to resources that enable the College to fulfill its mission.
The College will continue to be dependent upon student enrollment and tuition, but we will diversify our revenue 5
to strengthen our financial position. Southwestern College will establish balance by growing resources coming from fundraising, grants, and partnerships with other institutions and businesses. The College will be less dependent upon student enrollment for operational expenses and ultimately institutional vitality. Enrollment on Main Campus will reach at least 750 undergraduate and graduate students, and Professional Studies (being rebranded to SC Global) will reach at least 13,000 credit hours between undergraduate and graduate credits.
New academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels at both Main Campus and SC Global that are innovative and compelling will attract a diverse student body. Leveraging the College’s historic excellence in the natural sciences, business, and education in the development of new programs will improve the College’s attractiveness in the market. The College is deeply rooted in the community of Winfield and more broadly, Cowley County, and South-Central Kansas. In many ways we consider our location a competitive advantage and are proud to offer bachelors and graduate level degrees in our rural community. To support the vitality of the College and the community, we will partner with area hospitals and clinics, Cowley College, community organizations, industry, and philanthropic organizations to promote sustainable socioeconomic growth. This strategic plan and vision for Southwestern is driven by the acknowledgment that the success of the College and Winfield are bound together and interdependent.
As the College gains access to resources, increasing allocations to address the substantial deferred maintenance on campus, as guided by the priority list. Providing a safe and comfortable environment for students to grow and learn is at the core of the work we do. Creating spaces that are compelling and are intentionally designed to support students will be a focus of renovation and new construction. SC’s branding and messaging will be consistent across all departments, programs, and constituencies and convey our value and confidence as a college.
