Strategic Plan: 2024-2029

We are proud that today’s Sacred Heart students receive an immersive education, with active and engaged learning opportunities that fuel interests, sharpen skills and drive career readiness. We also offer innovative technology and some of the best campus facilities and resources in New England. 

In short, Sacred Heart isn’t just a university that has grown over time. It is a university that leads the way. 

However, as the Blessed John Henry Newman said, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” Like any great institution, Sacred Heart will continue to excel only if we continue to support a culture of continuous improvement where everyone can participate as we face future challenges and changes. 

SHU community members were encouraged to participate in the strategic planning process by attending relevant events and/or submitting their thoughts via a link on the website or through a survey sent to alumni. Feedback was incorporated into the development of the strategic plan and was reviewed by the SHU community, senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. The plan was approved and launched in March 2024 and is grounded in SHU's mission and commitment to inclusive excellence. It is rooted in SHU's continuing legacy and built on five pillars that will pioneer us toward our future. 

Continuing Our Legacy, Pioneering Our Future

Sacred Heart University’s mission and its guiding principles shape our community: who we are, how we interact and who we aspire to be. It calls our entire community to strengthen the distinctive culture that defines our institution, with a particular focus on inclusive excellence.  

We are a university rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, inspired by the pioneering vision of the Second Vatican Council, which embraced the Church’s desire to respond to the needs of a changing world while remaining true to its living tradition. In that same pioneering spirit, SHU must embrace the future while intentionally nurturing and maintaining its essential nature.  SHU’s extraordinary and rapid expansion of our student population, our physical plant and the University’s vision for research has entailed growth in both size and complexity. The institution responds to the demands of growth while maintaining its commitments to teaching excellence, research, mission, social justice and inclusive excellence and to the key tenets of our Pioneer Journey: intentional reflection and courageous civil discourse. Our guiding principles provide a framework for affirming our values, identifying our priorities and shaping the University’s future. Our mission must be transformative and not simply transactional. Our mission and culture will continue to be the cornerstones of all that we do.   

Pillar I: Academic and Research Excellence

At the heart of our strategic plan lies the fundamental commitment to Academic and Research Excellence. This pillar represents Sacred Heart’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality education and cutting-edge research that empowers our students, faculty and global community. 

Our commitment to Academic and Research Excellence is not just a declaration of intent; it is a response to the challenges and opportunities of our times. By focusing on these foundational goals, we position ourselves to produce graduates who are not only academically robust and research-oriented, but also poised to make a meaningful impact on their communities and industries. This strategic pillar ensures that Sacred Heart remains vibrant, eminent and sustainable, as excellence attracts the brightest minds, research funding and partnerships with industry and community leaders. Together, we forge a path toward a brighter and more innovative future. 

Pillar II: Student Success and Experience

In our ever-evolving educational landscape, Pillar II: Student Success and Experience, stands as a testament to our commitment to nurturing the holistic development of our students, grounded in the liberal arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition. This pillar underscores our dedication to providing an enriching, inclusive and supportive environment that empowers every student to thrive academically and personally. In pursuing these goals, Sacred Heart embraces the belief that student success is a collective effort, involving students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. This pillar is not just about attracting students but about ensuring their growth, well-being and success throughout their educational journey and beyond. By focusing on Student Success and Experience, we strengthen the foundation of our institution and prepare our students to excel in and provide meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world. 

Pillar III: External Engagement

Pillar III: External Engagement underscores Sacred Heart’s commitment to being an active and indispensable participant in the broader world. As we embark on this strategic journey, we recognize the significance of engaging with industry, government, alumni and our local and global community to foster collaboration, innovation and mutual growth. In embracing Pillar III: External Engagement, we embrace our role as a catalyst for positive change. We recognize that our impact is not confined to our classrooms and laboratories but extends to the broader world. By actively engaging with external partners, alumni and the community, we enrich the experiences of our students, elevate the quality of our programs and amplify our contributions to society. Together, we forge a future in which collaboration and innovation drive progress and success. 

Pillar IV: Institutional Resources, People and Operations

Pillar IV embodies our unwavering commitment to supporting Sacred Heart University's growth and aspirations through the effective alignment and development of people and resources. At its core, this pillar recognizes that our human, technological, information and physical resources serve as the foundation upon which our academic and research excellence, student success and community engagement are built. By nurturing, optimizing and aligning these resources, we ensure that Sacred Heart University remains a dynamic and thriving community where excellence, innovation and growth flourish. Together, we pave the way for a future that fully realizes our institution's potential and aspirations. 

Pillar V: Financial Sustainability

Pillar V, centered on Financial Sustainability, underscores our firm commitment to ensuring the long-term vitality and responsible stewardship of Sacred Heart University's resources. This pillar is not just about balancing budgets; it's about safeguarding our institution's mission and values, maintaining our commitment to academic and research excellence and securing our capacity to serve our students and community for generations to come. 

Strategic Planning Leadership & Steering Committee 2024-2029 

Senior Leadership 

Robin L. Cautin 
Provost
Chair 

Michaela Rome 
Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness 

Members