Strategic Plan

Brochure [pdf 120 KB]

VISION 2008

We are a recognized local, state, and national leader in community development partnerships and student leadership development, building engaged communities.

In partnership with the community, USD students, faculty, staff, and alumni serve as catalysts for significant growth and social change through service, activism, experiential learning, research, and publication.  

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members learn with ever expanding resources through our highly interactive educational center for community service-learning.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

STUDENTS IN SERVICE-LEARNING GAIN SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Community Partnerships: …understand community concerns, collaboratively generate mutual goals, manage conflicts, and implement goals with community partners.

Social Change:  …interpret social responsibilities, understand Catholic social thought, analyze social problems, and implement social change strategies.

Cross-cultural competency:  …appreciate and analyze ones’ own cultural background, compare to the cultures of others, and differentiate between histories of cultural groups.

Life-long commitment:  …generate a commitment to social responsibility, analyze social responsibility in terms of career and vocation, and implement these plans as alumni.

Ethical leadership:  ….understand and apply personal values and leadership skills, communicate effectively to facilitate group vision, generate group plans, and execute group plans.

Contextual learning:   …recognize how disciplinary learning applies to practical social contexts, evaluate the accuracy and relevance of that knowledge, and critique application of disciplinary knowledge.

CORE VALUES

VALUE 1: WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE

We value the pursuit of truth and wisdom. 

We promote the development of critical thinking skills in analyzing social issues and community solutions.  

We provide mutually respectful training and support for meaningful community involvement.

VALUE 2: DIVERSITY & UNITY

We value diversity, inclusiveness and respect for the dignity of each individual, with continual movement toward a just society.

VALUE 3: RELATIONSHIPS & TEAMWORK

We value building authentic and lasting relationships through shared experiences.

We value growth and development.  

We value effort and team progress.

VALUE 4: CREATIVITY & RISK-TAKING

We value innovation and flexibility, and are always open to new approaches from all voices. 

We value a common-sense approach to risk-taking, and encourage progress, not perfection.

CORE STRATEGIES

STRATEGY 1:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
We create opportunities for USD students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to bring about social change and justice.

STRATEGY 2:
ACADEMIC COLLABORATION
We involve faculty, students, staff, alumni, and our community partners to create outstanding research, publications, and conference presentations.

STRATEGY 3:
RESOURCES
We secure the funding, including an endowment, to provide ample resources for technology, transportation, staff, library, fellowships, and a shared central location.

STRATEGY 4:
MARKETING
We position ourselves as an important campus and community presence.

STRATEGY5:
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
We are recognized as a national leader in student leadership development.

2007 - 2008 PRIORITIES

• Community Development
• Space in CASA for Community members, Training opportunities
• Educational access program
• Academic Collaboration
• Social change publication
• Increase number of papers used in assessment
• Alumni research
• Resources
• Partner with Development
• Institutionalize faculty fellows program
• Marketing
• Publication on history of office
• Obtain marketing/fundraising training
• Student leadership
• Implement Youth Leadership Institute
• Integrated training program
• CSL Scholars program