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Into the
future

Defining What's Next

2025-2030 Strategic Plan

Dear Marywood Community,

It is with great pride and profound optimism that I introduce Marywood University’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, Into the Future—a bold roadmap for our next chapter, shaped by the wisdom of our past, the promise of our present, and the transformative vision we share for the future.

Since our founding in 1915 by the IHM Sisters, Marywood has embraced a mission of faith, education, and service. We educate our students through this vibrant mission, which calls us to welcome, support, and empower every individual who walks through our doors.

That same spirit of purpose guides us now. Marywood is, and has always been, a community where people of all races, backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and experiences are not only welcomed, but cherished. This commitment to inclusivity is who we are. Our intrinsic values, grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, inform the way we teach, lead, serve, and grow.

Lisa Lori, J.D.
President, Marywood University

Marywood has entered a bold new era.

This is not the first pivotal moment in our history—but it is our moment, and it is filled with possibility.

From our humble beginnings in 1915, when the IHM Sisters courageously founded a college for women in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Marywood has never stood still. They took a bold step into the unknown—and we’ve continued their legacy ever since, always striving toward a new horizon. That spirit of fearless progress is alive in us today—and it will continue to guide us forward.

The Four Pillars

of Marywood University’s Strategic Mandate (2025–2030):

Recruitment
& retention

Academic
innovation

Student
experience

Institutional
stewardship

Recruitment
& retention

To thrive, Marywood must reach and retain a broad student population. This pillar focuses on reimagining how we attract students at all academic levels and how we walk beside them throughout their Marywood journey. It is not enough to bring students to our campus; we must also ensure that they are seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Recruitment and retention are two sides of the same coin, and both are essential to our sustainability and success.

Goal 1

Enrollment growth of students on campus, domestic and international, graduates, and veterans

Goal 2

The retention of all students from matriculation to post graduation

Academic
innovation

In a world where knowledge evolves rapidly and the needs of learners change by the day, innovation is imperative. Marywood’s academic future will be marked by agility, creativity, and courage. We will develop new programs, invest in emerging disciplines, and harness technology to expand our reach and deepen our impact. This pillar ensures that our academic offerings remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with the needs of the global workforce and society.

Goal 1

Rigorous portfolio reviews and market analyses that will dictate the innovation we seek

Goal 2

Making academic innovation happen

Student
experience

Our students are not just learners. They are leaders in the making. The student experience at Marywood must reflect our deep commitment to educating the whole person: intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. From wellness to career services, from residence life to campus engagement, we will cultivate a student-centered environment where every student is empowered to thrive and inspired to lead with purpose.

Goal 1

Co-curricular and extra-curricular services to complement the academic journey of Marywood students

Goal 2

Complementary healthcare services to enhance the student experience

Institutional
stewardship

No strategic plan can succeed without a strong foundation. This pillar represents our pledge to be wise stewards of our resources—fiscal, human, and physical. Through continuous assessment, data-informed decision-making, and mission-aligned investment, we will create the conditions for long-term stability and excellence. Stewardship is not just about sustainability; it is about trust, transparency, and accountability to those we serve.

Goal 1

Optimization of all revenue streams

Goal 2

Investment in Marywood’s people

Goal 3

Synchronize Facilities Growth with the Goals of the Three Parallel Pillars

We
believe...

  • We believe in the people of Marywood University
  • We believe in the students of Marywood University
  • We believe in those who paved the way for this moment
  • We believe in our supporters
  • We believe in our Catholic identity and our enduring mission
  • Together, we believe in Marywood.
  • Together, we are building what's next.

Vision
Statement

Marywood University is at the dawn of a new era. Grounded in more than a century of mission-driven education and emboldened by the resilience forged through recent challenges, we stand at the threshold of transformational growth. With the appointment of our thirteenth President—the first lay leader since our founding in 1915—a new chapter has begun, marked by bold vision, inclusive leadership, and a renewed commitment to innovation, impact, and mission.

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