Friday, May 19, 2023

Renewing an Inspired Community: A Strategic Plan Update

by Conrad Grebel University College

In April 2022, the Grebel Board of Governors approved the new “Strategic Plan 2022-2025 | Renewing an Inspired Community.” Since this adoption, the College has shifted some of its resources to the four areas of focus which centre attention on these core strategic areas: the student experience; relationships with key partners in the university, church, and wider community; excellence in learning; and resilience for the future. The chart below details some of the progress made in 2022-2023. Read the full strategic plan here.

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CENTRING ON STUDENTS

  • Offered on-site support from Shalom Counselling services to students and associates.
  • Connected MPACS alumni with current MPACS students in a networking exercise at the MPACS 10th anniversary.
  • Engaged students living on campus for actionable feedback on programs, facilities and community life.
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ENGAGING OUR PARTNERS

  • Signed a Memo of Understanding to articulate Grebel’s relationship with Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.
  • Began productive negotiations to renew old agreements with the University of Waterloo.
  • Launched “Grebel-to-Go” program to connect faculty expertise with MCEC congregations.
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EXPLORING NEW PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING

  • Continued work towards decolonizing our curriculum supported by Indigenous Knowledges and Anti-Racism experts from UWaterloo’s Centre for Teaching Excellence.
  • Invited Dr. Darla Schumm to the College as the 2023 Sawatsky Visiting Scholar, who addressed themes of inclusion and disability in classes and in her public lecture.
  • Partnered with CMU to offer online courses for Grebel MTS and CMU students.
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BUILDING RESILIENCE

  • Completed an inventory of upcoming maintenance, repair, and replacement projects, requiring an investment of $5.2M by 2033.
  • Included a record high draw of $363k for program funding in the 2023-24 budget from the endowment portfolio.
  • Set a greenhouse emissions reduction target of 35% from 2019 levels by 2030.
  • Ended the TMTC program following extensive consultation.