Institutional Strategic Plan
Juntos: Higher Education. Higher Purpose.
Through the heritage passed down by our founders, the Sisters of the Congregation
of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is called to a higher
purpose. That higher purpose – to transform the lives of our students and through
them create a better world – is the focus of our strategic plan.
As the university closes the final year of the plan, we are facing a world we could not have imagined at its 2018 outset. The pandemic drastically changed the landscape of higher education. To deal with the changes, our strategic plan has become laser-focused on three crucial areas: matriculation of new students, retention and persistence of current students, and graduation of all our students.
Institutional Priorities
Matriculation, retention and graduation have been a part of the strategic plan since its inception, but the intense focus is designed to help us move the needle faster related to these university priorities. As OLLU welcomed our new president, Dr. Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD, in 2022, he began introducing new ways to promote and measure progress through the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) system. As we continue with the strategic plan and prepare for our next one, we will adopt OKRs as the way to better formulate and measure the initiatives that underpin our plan.
Strategic Themes
Moreover, we have graduated to focus on lead measures—those indicators that reflect progress and direction—which will ultimately be captured in the array of lag measures. It has become evident that the three outcomes above are driven by our three existential institutional priorities:
- Building Financial Strength
- Achieving Operational Excellence
- Elevating Our University Brand
These institutional priorities form the foundation of a clear strategic direction. To support that direction, we are implementing a comprehensive action plan built around our three existing strategic themes. Each theme includes specific objectives and key results that ensure alignment with our mission, values, and long-term goals. Each of these priorities serves as a foundation that will shape our future and guide our work:
THEME 1: OLLU will be a model for academic excellence. This theme directly supports our priority of Elevating Our University Brand by strengthening the academic distinction and credibility of our programs. Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Divine Providence—who responded to regional needs with purpose-driven education—this theme ensures that OLLU remains a leader in academic innovation. The key results tied to Theme 1 are designed to reflect our mission-driven commitment to high-quality undergraduate and graduate learning experiences that meet the evolving needs of our communities and honor our founding values.
THEME 2: OLLU will be an exemplar model for student access, success, and support. Theme 2 advances both Achieving Operational Excellence and Building Financial Strength. By ensuring that all institutional practices support equitable access, academic achievement, and holistic student support, we not only fulfill our mission to prepare students for lives of purpose and service, but also improve retention and graduation outcomes—key drivers of institutional sustainability and effectiveness. The key results under this theme are designed to create a clear and supportive pathway for student success.
THEME 3: OLLU will be a vibrant, inclusive community. This theme reinforces Operational Excellence and contributes to Elevating Our University Brand. Grounded in our belief in Divine Providence, we are committed to cultivating a campus environment that values the unique contributions of all students, faculty, and staff. The objectives under Theme 3 ensure that our resources are strategically aligned to foster a diverse, welcoming, and dynamic university experience, which is essential to strengthening our community and institutional reputation.
Detailed information and plan updates can be found online (login required).