Zachary Worstell
zdw001@marietta.edu
Marietta College is going “Forward!” with their strategic response to the challenges that higher education programs have faced in the 21st century. This strategic response comes in five primary steps and is aimed at tracking and strengthening the college’s primary goals. The plan’s objectives will span four academic years from 2024-2028.
On January 30th, Interim President Margaret Drugovich officially announced Marietta College’s current plan of action for the future. Marietta Forward is intended to build a sustainable future and prioritizes the college’s value and investments for the future.
The first step of the plan is to fully implement the student ready college. This means that the College will track and attempt to increase retention rates and degree completion. The plan will develop and implement effective programming and increase student engagement.
The second initiative is to strengthen the current academic programs. This means that Marietta intends to distribute resources to support programs that are desirable and relevant to the college population current and future. To accomplish this, Marietta intends to reduce the amount of expenses from programs will low enrollment.
The third initiative is to develop new educational programs focused on non-traditional student education and work force development. Essentially the programs Marietta intends to add will help continue education for non-traditional students and increase workforce readiness. This is expected to increase net tuition revenues and graduation rates.
Along with developing new educational programs for non-traditional students, the fourth part of Marietta Forward is to identify and launch new academic programs. Marietta will focus on developing Marietta Online as subdivision to offer new in demand programs. Also, Marietta will study in demand programs for the next generation of learners and increase their academic reputation.
The final initiative of Marietta Forward is to create a campus culture of support for individual leadership, inclusion, and belonging. The tactics intend to accomplish this goal are to encourage community engagement and awareness. This will be measured by campus diversity and campus perception of Marietta’s core values.
Overall, Marietta Forward will build upon existing programs that are desirable for the next generation of learners. Marietta Forward will also eliminate programs that have low enrollment to help strengthen their high demand programs. Furthermore, Marietta will add new programs that are in high demand, both graduate and undergraduate and strengthen Marietta’s online educational programs.
