The University of Olivet 2030: Vision for a Prosperous Future

The World is Changing Fast.

Higher education must change swiftly, too, if we want to continue to help respond to the economic and social challenges that our communities, nation and world face.

Colleges and universities must take bold and innovative approaches to prepare students for changing and evolving careers. We must also share the responsibility to foster healthy, principled graduates who flourish in a diverse world of wide-ranging social groups, cultures and ethnicities.

At The University of Olivet, we recognize that we must respond to the changing world in ways that honor our founders’ vision while arming students with knowledge, skills and character that prepare them for a future for which we cannot truly plan. The University of Olivet can accomplish this by reimagining our culture of education.

Before the pandemic, the College board, leadership team, staff, alumni and students began to reflect on The University of Olivet’s nearly 178-year journey. We applauded our successes and took a hard look at the difficulties we’ve faced. The outcome of these observations and discussions is a new strategic plan, “The University of Olivet 2030: Vision for a Prosperous Future.”

Building on Strengths and Successes

“Vision for a Prosperous Future” builds on Olivet’s strengths and successes in many areas, including the focus on a relationship-based learning and living community, individual and social responsibility, and Liberal Arts Knowledge. These deeply-rooted strengths of the College will help us to engage beyond our hill into new directions. The strategic plan priorities are grounded in work already underway, which you’ll discover in the following pages.

Our commitment is twofold: to preserve what makes a The University of Olivet experience desirable to many and address new opportunities. Our board, faculty, students, alumni and staff are poised to shape, grow and expand solutions in four strategic areas of impact that will guide “Vision for a Prosperous Future”
to 2030.

Deeply Rooted and Firmly Grounded — Be Olivet: Remain firmly “Olivet.”

Grow the Tree — Be Bigger: Grow programs, enrollments and resources.

Cultivate and Change the Landscape — Be Better: Take what we have planted and nurture it to ensure quality.

Engage Beyond Our Hill — Be Connected: Build connections and reputation with the outside world.

Now more than ever, we must prepare students to be equipped with the knowledge and character to navigate an uncertain world and positively influence the communities where they live and work.

“Vision for a Prosperous Future” is ambitious and bold. So is The University of Olivet.