Maryville University

Saints Plan

Learn Deeply. Serve Boldly. Lead with Heart.

A bold vision for where we are going — and a clear plan for how we will get there together.

Our Mission

To make the world better by learning deeply, serving boldly, and leading with heart.

Maryville University students
Our Vision

“Through our minds and hearts, we bring intelligence, compassion, courage, and joy to strengthen the communities and professions we serve.”

At Maryville, we don’t just prepare students for careers — we prepare people to change the world. Our strategic plan charts the course for the next chapter of Maryville’s story: bolder, more connected, and more impactful than ever before.

What We Stand For

The Values That Drive Us

Saints don’t just study values — we live them. These eight commitments shape every decision we make, every program we build, and every student we serve.

Learning

We embrace learning as a lifelong journey, through a commitment to continuous personal and professional growth.

Achievement

We learn through action and are accountable for setting and achieving our goals — especially when it is difficult.

Kindness

We show empathy and care for others through our words and actions. We give grace and demonstrate mercy. We help others and role model kindness at work, home, and in our communities.

Collaboration

We listen, remain approachable, and welcome diverse perspectives. Together, we build trust and advance shared solutions.

Courage

We speak up, have caring conversations, and make decisions with integrity. We learn from failure and embrace challenges in the pursuit of excellence.

Community

We believe education is a social promise. We nurture belonging for all and advance the community prosperity of St. Louis, our region, nation, and world.

Creativity

We are curious and bold thinkers. We work with others to design creative solutions to challenges and implement ideas that drive positive change.

Joy

We believe joy fuels the human experience and strengthens communities.

Maryville University students at orientation
98%Career outcomes rate

Graduates employed or continuing education within 6 months of graduating

1stSocial Mobility Index

Top private university in St. Louis — 2025 CollegeNet rankings

2+Credentials

All students earn at least two career-ready credentials - including degrees, certificates, badges, or microcredentials - for the price of one.

Our Strategic Goals

Our Shared Goals. Our One Direction.

Every goal in the Saints Plan points to the same North Star: We put more Saints into the world.

GOAL 1

To ensure our people matter most

Nurture a values-driven culture where every faculty member, staff member, student, and visitor feels seen, safe, and supported. Build a high-performing community through intentional recruitment, development, and care.

1. Nurture a Values-Driven Culture
Ensure all faculty, staff, students, partners, and visitors experience a culture that reflects the mission and values of Maryville University.
2. Advance a Culture of Safety and Care
Advance the highest standard of safety for all students, faculty, staff, and partners by implementing proactive practices, leveraging current technologies, and maintaining a well-coordinated response to critical incidents.
3. Strengthen Talent Recruitment and Development
Strengthen faculty and staff recruitment, hiring, development, and retention practices to intentionally build a high-performing culture that drives long-term institutional success.
4. Promote Collaboration and Transparent Communication
Prioritize collaboration, shared decision-making, and transparent communication across all colleges and organizational units.
5. Ensure Everyone Belongs
Create consistent practices, programs, and services that ensure all people can feel seen, heard, and valued.
GOAL 2

To ensure students learn and achieve

Design a world-class, achievement-based learning architecture. Ensure 100% of Maryville students earn at least one credential — with most earning multiple achievements over their lifetime.

1. Design a Student Achievement Architecture
Design and continuously improve a valuable, achievement-based learning architecture that ensures all students reach their personal and professional goals. Ensure 100% of students earn at least one certificate, credential, or degree.
2. Advance a Skills-Based Learning Model
Advance a unique, skills-based approach to learning and achievement that enables students to receive credit for accumulated coursework and experiences. Prioritize both workforce readiness and essential human skills.
3. Lead in AI-Enabled Learning and Support
Lead in incorporating AI tools to educate and support faculty, staff, and students.
4. Align Academic Programs with Workforce and Community Needs
Ensure alignment with local, regional, and national partners in the development and evaluation of educational tools, programs, and pathways.
5. Develop Faculty and Staff for Student-Centered Success
Develop faculty and staff to deeply understand the learners they serve, support, and teach.
GOAL 3

To strengthen communities

Become the leading community-engaged university in St. Louis. Deepen partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and government — and activate our alumni to advance shared prosperity.

1. Establish Maryville as a Community-Engaged Leader
Become the leading community-engaged university in St. Louis by fostering meaningful connections and collaboration, while serving as an essential educational and service partner for local and regional businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies.
2. Advance Community Prosperity Through Partnership
Identify and support opportunities for faculty and staff to partner with local and regional businesses and organizations through relevant research, scholarship, service, and education.
3. Activate and Strengthen Alumni Engagement
Activate the Saints Alumni Association to increase pride, connection, and shared prosperity across the Maryville community.
4. Build and Nurture a Thriving Campus Community
Build and nurture all students and campus communities to ensure a strong sense of connection, support, wellbeing, and shared success.
GOAL 4

To develop a sustainable business model

Build a financially resilient institution through smart revenue diversification, disciplined investment, and a results-driven advancement program that fuels our mission for generations to come.

1. Develop and Manage a Three-Year Budget Model
Design and implement a rolling three-year operating budget that ensures Maryville’s long-term financial success.
2. Diversify Revenue and Optimize Expenditures
Identify and pursue competitive revenue growth opportunities while setting measurable expense-reduction targets. Allocate every dollar intentionally to advance student success and deepen community impact.
3. Build a High-Performing Advancement and Fundraising Program
Recruit and develop a results-driven development team equipped with data-informed strategies and benchmarked goals for fundraising campaigns.
4. Align Academic and Enrollment Planning with Revenue Goals
Integrate academic programming and enrollment strategy to prioritize net tuition revenue targets and direct future institutional investments toward highest-impact opportunities.
5. Expand Maryville Works/Solutions to Grow External Revenue
Scale Maryville Works/Solutions by developing targeted partnerships with local and regional businesses. Leverage faculty and staff expertise in instruction, research, and consulting to generate measurable revenue growth.
GOAL 5

To lead the future of education as a data-centric/AI enterprise

Position Maryville as the leading data and AI institution in St. Louis. Harness technology to improve student outcomes, streamline operations, and define what the future of education looks like.

1. Establish Maryville’s Data and AI Strategy
Design and implement a responsive data architecture and AI strategy that supports the development of Maryville’s student learning and achievement architecture.
2. Position Maryville as a Data and AI Leader
Ensure Maryville is the leading data/AI institution in St. Louis and beyond for education and enterprise solutions.
3. Leverage AI to Optimize Operations
Utilize AI-based solutions to significantly reduce traditional technology expenditures and improve operational efficiency. This work will be critical to right-sizing future budgets.
GOAL 6

To lead with heart

Honor our Sacred Heart heritage. Embed our vision, mission, and values into everything we do. Find creative ways to nurture the spiritual and personal wellbeing of every member of the Maryville community.

1. Honor and Activate Maryville’s Sacred Heart Heritage
Find meaningful ways to activate, celebrate, and tell the story of Maryville’s Sacred Heart heritage and its history in St. Louis.
2. Elevate and Embed Vision, Mission, and Values
Create and strengthen opportunities to consistently emphasize and elevate Maryville’s vision, mission, and values.
3. Keep the Heart Sacred
Find creative ways to nurture the personal and/or spiritual health of Maryville students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Est. 1872

Learn Deeply.
Serve Boldly.
Lead with Heart.

150+ years of learning, serving, and leading together.

Our next chapter – our best chapter – has begun.

Saints Plan is Our Plan – it belongs to our students, our faculty, our staff, our alumni, and our community. It is a promise to each other. Let’s put more Saints into the world.

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