ACTIVITY 6

Strengthening the Capacity for Sustaining University Growth and Enhancing the University's Image

Huston-Tillotson University's 2001-2010 Strategic Plan describes increases in student scholarships, academic programs, student support programs and professional development opprotunities.  The Plan includes major initiatives to revitalize campus buildings and construct three new buildings - a health and wellness center, a child-care learning facility, and adult housing units.  The University needs to implement these projects to grow enrollment, address student retention and stay competitive with peer institutions.  To undergrid the initiatives the University must create self-perpetuating endowments.

The goal is also to strengthen exisiting infrastructure to facilitate growth by improving sustainability through a comprehensive development program.  Strengthening the capacity of the Institutional Advancement Program will help to build a organizational structure that can efficiently respond to future opportunities, accept additional challenges, and implement a comprehensive development plan that includes a systematic approach to reach donors, research new investment opportunities, upgrade software, obtain the latest in technology, and launch a capital campaign.  Over the next five years, the Univeristy plans to increase its financial resources to support capital improvements and to supplement the University's operational budget to fund non-budgeted initiatives.

Currently, the University is facing cuts in funding from traditional sources, even as we continue to support growing academic departments, increased requests for scholarship programs, and expanding operational budgets.  To supplement an Annual Fund Program and launch a comprehensive capital campaign requires state-of-the-art technology and an adequately trained staff.  The overall gaol is for Huston-Tillotson University is to sustain itself with a continuous flow of new funds from a larger pool of investors, stronger alumni giving, and a clean donor prospect database.

Activity Director: