Transformative Future

Central Contact for External Relations

Establish a one-stop shop to manage community partnerships.

Year 1 Highlights

• The team has begun reviewing best practices and meeting with external partners to gauge a better understanding of our community needs and desires

Year 2 Highlights

• The institutional welcome center on the Hickory campus is undergoing review so that campus is more welcoming and open to all individuals.
• Intentional messaging to key groups is being made on all campuses so that individuals who want to collaborate with LR are directed to the appropriate person.

Intentional Regional Relationships

Develop a strategy for enhancing and expanding strategic partnerships.

Year 1 Highlights

• Conducted an audit of institutional partners and have gathered information on how to strengthen and grow these partnerships. The information was presented to the central contact for External Relations initiatives.

Year 2 Highlights

• Intentional connections are being established with key external groups to ensure LR’s relevancy, including linking messaging with the city and county and working with other commissions and board to promote common goals.

Destination of Community College Transfer Students

Year 2 Highlights  

• The College of Education has implemented multiple articulation agreements with local community colleges to ensure students have a seamless transition.
• Articulation agreements for community college students wanting to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Accounting, Human Services, and Music have been signed or are being finalized.
• LR has piloted a housing program with CVCC that allows students to use on-campus housing.

Improve Energy Efficiencies

Optimize campus resources by maximizing internal operations, enhancing energy conservation and improving resource management throughout the university.

Year 1 Highlights

• All internal lighting is being transitioned to LED
• An audit of campus resources is being conducted to ensure best practices

Year 2 Highlights

• The Institution underwent a full LED lighting changeover so that all interior lights on the Hickory campus were more energy efficient.
• A new recycling program was instituted that allows for student, faculty and staff to purchase a reusable container for dining take out and improved signage on what can and cannot be recycled was distributed throughout campus.

Develop New Academic Programs

Identify and establish new academic programs based on regional needs, enrollment and revenue growth potential, and institutional fit.

Year 1 Highlights

• Reviewed the existing procedure for proposing new academic programs
• In the process of developing a proposal to revise the new program proposal and vetting process
• Reviewing proposals for new academic programs that have been put forward but not acted on; any further action on these would go through regular faculty committees

Year 2 Highlights

• Research is being conducted on new programs within the College of Health Science as well as the College of Business on how we can better partner with our local work force to meet the needs and demands of the area.
• One new certificate programs, the Lenoir-Rhyne Equity and Diversity Institute, has been launched and others are being reviewed.
• A new major in Biochemistry was approved by the Faculty Assembly and is being offered in 2021-2022.
• A new Master of Fine Arts in Writing degree was approved by the faculty assembly and is being offered in 2021-2022 on the Asheville campus.
• A new minor in Peace and Justice Studies was approved by the Faculty Assembly and is being offered in 2021-2022.

New Athletic Teams/Clubs

Year 2 Highlights

• LR has launched multiple programs, including triathlon, weightlifting, and bass fishing.
• Ultimate frisbee is in the process of being review as a potential new club sport
• The equestrian club has been revitalized and esports is undergoing additional review to better understand how we can grow and partner with students and the community.

Establishing New Pipelines

Develop new pipelines using the Credo model to recruit, enroll and retain students.

Year 1 Highlights

• Two new programs, Olympic weightlifting and triathlon, will begin fall 2020

Year 2 Highlights

• Athletics has added new sports and club sports, including junior varsity programs, to help recruit new students.
• Through new articulation agreements the institution is better able to meet the demands of the transfer population.

Highlight Geographical Advantages

Intentionally market our geographic location and natural assets.

Year 1 Highlights

• Completed an audit and report, presented to marketing and the central contact for external relations team

Year 2 Highlights

• The newly designed website, which will launch in October 2021, will highlight the local area to better help new students and current students explore the Greater Hickory area.
• New partnerships are being developed with downtown Hickory to offer relevant opportunities for our students.

Review External Contracts

Year 2 Highlights

• Conference and Events has begun an internal audit of all contracts to better understand relevancy, what needs to be updated, and how we can continue to meet the mission of LR by ensuring that students are at the heart of everything we do.
• A new purchasing process is being developed to ensure that all new contracts are sustainable and relevant.

Grow Unrestricted Endowment

Year 2 Highlights

• Advancement is incorporating language about the importance of the endowment to appropriate fundraising pieces and discussing it with donors.

Diversified Undergraduate Recruitment

Develop and implement a plan for enrolling students from the following markets: international, out of state, Lutheran congregations, private schools and community colleges.

Year 1 Highlights

• Credo, an external agency, assessed and provided recommendations for Undergraduate Admission to consider; all feasible recommendations for improvement have been implemented
• Evaluated enrollment processes, including communication and events, to best suit Generation Z prospective students and important stakeholders
  • A fly-in program for school counselors will assist in developing and strengthening relationships with this important population
  • Slate, an enrollment-specific customer relationship management (CRM) system, will allow admission to better analyze and utilize specific data points within the recruitment and enrollment process

Year 2 Highlights

• Phase 1 of Slate, a new CRM for enrollment, is complete and phase 2 has begun
• Additional targeted communications through various formats and mediums have been created and will be launched.
• A new virtual recruitment strategy was established and implemented due to constraints surrounding COVID. These strategies will continue to be used as appropriate and necessary

Increase Graduate Enrollment

Develop the infrastructure to support growth in graduate programs targeting existing programs that are under capacity and new programs with strong potential.

Year 1 Highlight

• Developed a new recruitment plan that follows industry best practices and engages with new markets
• Developed a new communication and marketing plan to strengthen relationships with prospective students

Team Members: Amy Wood (chair), Molly Duggan, Janelle Robinson

Grow LTSS

Develop new strategies and cultivate new markets for LTSS enrollment growth.

Year 1 Highlights

• Instituted an overhaul of the enrollment process from how we review applications, process aid, support enrolled students and collaborate with other entities external to the university
• Increased marketing and event presence to upgrade and include a stronger web presence, social media engagement, travel opportunities and branded swag

Team Members: Jennifer Shimota (chair), Mary Hinkle Shore