Tactical Plan

Overall student indebtedness at Southwestern continues to decrease across each academic year. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the final class before the implementation of the Tactical Plan, average student debt was $31,832. Last year, 2023-2024 graduates incurred an average of $30,548 in student debt, a figure well below the national average of $37,850. To help narrow the gap between demonstrated financial need and available financial aid, student success scholarships were implemented in Fall 2023. Additionally, philanthropic contributions and pledges for current-use and endowed scholarships exceeded $1.8 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 

The development of a new academic advising program began in Summer 2021, when six professional first-year academic advisors were hired. Students transition to faculty/staff advisors following their first year. During this transition, students are individually matched with faculty/staff advisors during the summer after their first year, allowing the advising relationship to begin in the fall of their sophomore year. Additionally, Southwestern’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is “Fostering Student Success through Proactive Advising.” The QEP has three components: the addition of dedicated first-year professional advisors, professional development for faculty and staff advisors, and implementation of a new integrated case management software.

Tactical Plan in Action: Fostering Student Success through Proactive Advising

Funding was dedicated to create a more proactive advising program that provides professional development to both first-year academic advisors and faculty/staff academic advisors during the annual Fall Faculty Conference. In addition, Nuro Retention was purchased and implemented as a new student relationship management system during the 2022-2023 academic year. EAB’s Navigate 360 will be implemented to replace Nuro Retention in Spring 2025.

Funds have been budgeted to add or renovate several student life amenities over the last several academic years. During Summer 2023, Bishops’ Lounge and Commons were renovated and a new outdoor basketball court, sand volleyball pit, and two pickleball courts were constructed. In Summer 2024, renovations were made to the A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center to accommodate the new Professor John Score II Learning Commons. Several vacant classrooms were converted into the Learning Commons space, which includes a multipurpose room, a lounge space, offices, and a renovated classroom. Additionally, work began on a new welcome center and two new residence halls in Spring 2024. Plans are also underway to convert the original field house, currently home to the Southwestern University Police Department, into a new student center. A new restaurant, The Perch, is scheduled to be completed by 2025 at the location of the former Pirate’s Tavern/Outreach Center. The Perch is an American eatery specializing in traditional farmhouse cuisine with a temporary twist that will also serve hand-crafted cocktails, wine, and a variety of local beers.

Tactical Plan in Action: Recently Completed Projects

The final philanthropic contribution to Mosaic was received during the 2022-2023 fiscal year and the program concluded in Spring 2024. With the conclusion of Mosaic, a “First Year Experience” (FYE) is under development. The FYE involves Academic Affairs, Student Life, and Enrollment Management with programs and services that enhance engagement and retention. Planning is set to begin in Winter 2024, with implementation in 2025-2026.

A consultant was hired to develop an IT Master Plan in Fall 2021. Their work included a current state analysis of infrastructure and software, as well as a review of software purchases and system redundancy. In accordance with the IT Master Plan, audio-visual upgrades were completed in six classrooms during the 2023-2024 academic year, and three more classroom upgrades began in Fall 2024. Redundant network paths were implemented, software engineering capabilities were moved to cloud platforms, and administrative applications were expanded to enhance business continuity capabilities. Additionally, software procurement has been centralized to provide more visibility and strengthen departmental understanding of software availability.

A Staff Training and Professional Development Fund was established in Spring 2021 with an initial budget of $5,000. The budget has increased by $1,000 each year and is currently $8,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

To help support the move to a three-year residency requirement, construction of a new first-year residence hall and a new second-year residence hall began in Spring 2024, with both facilities scheduled to be completed by Fall 2025. Phase 1 construction on the chilled water loop and new satellite plant to increase capacity was completed in Summer 2024. Each of the dining spaces on campus were also renovated ahead of the three-year residency requirement. Completed renovations to The Commons and The Cove received a national award for “Renovation of the Year” while two new common dining spaces – a coffee station inside the renovated Mood-Bridwell Hall and a snack shop inside the new Welcome Center – are currently under construction. Sustainability values are included in each project.

Tactical Plan in Action: Welcome Center, First-Year & Second-Year Residence Halls; Pirate Dining Earns “Renovation of the Year” Award from National Association of College & University Food Services

A major renovation project for Mood-Bridwell Hall is underway. When complete, the renovated facility will include five classrooms, 54 offices, a coffee shop, and many other amenities. Renovations to Mood-Bridwell Hall are scheduled to be completed in Spring 2025. Philanthropic contributions and pledges received to support the renovation exceed $11 million.

Tactical Plan in Action: Mood-Bridwell Renovation

Donations of $220,903 have been added to the Southwestern University Emergency Fund since its inception in 2020, with over $279,769 awarded to students in response to applications for support when emergencies arise.

A wage regression study was commissioned to determine wage adjustments. As a result, the minimum wage for the lowest-paid staff increased from $11.00 to $15.00 per hour in Summer 2024. Salary compression for hourly workers has also been addressed.

Southwestern hired a Title IX Coordinator in Spring 2022 to provide ongoing educational opportunities for faculty and staff. Additional hiring and retention policies and programs were developed within Human Resources, including diversity training for faculty search committees, and policies concerning accommodations for staff with disabilities. Southwestern’s Nondiscrimination Statement has also been updated and is now consistently present in materials across campus.

A Coordinator of Student Inclusion and Diversity was hired in Winter 2023, responsible for overseeing the implementation of DIBE efforts to student life structures and processes. In Spring 2024, Southwestern hired the University’s first-ever Vice President for Student Success and Belonging, who is responsible for providing leadership to advance the University’s goals and their connection to student success and retention. This position also develops policies, procedures, and programs to create an equitable experience for all members of the campus community. In Fall 2024, Southwestern University was awarded a $496,267 grant from the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for the Safer Campus Initiative. This grant will go toward assessing student needs related to domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVDVSAS), and highlight the importance of engaging Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ, and immigrant students, using strategies congruent with unique cultural needs. Also in Fall 2024, Southwestern was awarded a five-year, $250,000 grant from H-E-B to support the EQUIP (Embracing Quantitative Understanding and the Inquiry Process) and DRAFT (Daily Revision Advances Further Thinking) Programs. EQUIP is a program designed to build a community for historically underrepresented first-year students who are interested in completing a degree in mathematics or other STEM studies, and DRAFT is a program that uses writing as self-expression and community building for historically underrepresented students.

Several new staff members have recently been hired to increase support for student activities and wellness. An Assistant Director for Outdoor Recreation was hired in Summer 2022 and a Coordinator for Outdoor Adventure was hired in Summer 2023. Together, they are working to host 10-12 outdoor trips per year with overnight camping and travel outside of the Austin area, as well as high-impact Fall Break and Spring Break trips for Southwestern students. Southwestern also hired a full-time Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life to bolster Greek Life on campus. Additionally, Southwestern has added the University’s first Social Worker/Case Manager Intern to help address student wellness, as well as three graduate therapists to address the growing need for counseling.

Tactical Plan in Action: Southwestern Offers Students Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunities; Explore Canyon Lake Gorge with Southwestern Outdoor Adventure; Outdoor Adventure Program Takes Students to Whirlpool Cave

Academic Affairs has worked to build DIBE efforts into their structure and processes. Criteria were developed for DEI work to be included in merit raises, and tenure and promotion guidelines were revised to include public-facing scholarship, with a particular focus on work created for and by members of marginalized communities. Hiring policies for prioritizing DIBE and retention objectives were established as part of candidates’ qualifications, in addition to expertise and credentials. Additionally, materials and resources were developed for faculty to lead discussions regarding DEI issues.

The Office of Marketing and Communications continuously monitors a variety of ranking guides for improvements. In their most recent rankings in Fall 2024, U.S. News & World Reportranked Southwestern as #83 on their annual list of “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges,” an extraordinary 19-spot improvement from just four years ago. Forbesrecently ranked Southwestern as the #2 liberal arts college in Texas and the #284 institution in the country, the University’s highest ranking since 2018. Additionally, The Princeton Review named Southwestern as one of their “Best Colleges for 2025” and ranked SU #2 in the nation for “Best Career Services.” A Director of Communications and Public Relations was hired in Spring 2024 to focus on gaining regional and national media attention for Southwestern. This position communicates the many attributes of the University on a continuous and strategic basis, and monitors media placements of Southwestern faculty and staff to increase national recognition.

Tactical Plan in Action: Southwestern University Continues Historic Rise in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges List

A group of stakeholders was convened to clarify, define, and brand Southwestern. The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD), Office of University Relations, and Office of Marketing and Communications work continuously to strengthen Southwestern’s connections to Georgetown and Austin as vibrant cultural and economic locations. CCPD hired a Director of Academic Internships to focus on building relationships with local employers. University Relations created the Pirate Athletic Association, which includes a Corporate Partnership Program to engage with local businesses. Marketing and Communications secures media mentions with local press to highlight Southwestern in the community and is working closely with the City of Georgetown on the upcoming Southwestern University 560 project.

Southwestern established an HSI Task Force to develop the necessary programmatic support required to not only achieve HSI designation, but sustain it. The group of student, faculty, and staff stakeholders meet regularly to develop and implement programming that reinforces Southwestern’s identity as an HSI, enhance inclusive campus culture, build institutional capacity, integrate HSI initiatives with the University’s core identity, and establish Southwestern as a leader in liberal arts HSI education. The United States Department of Education declared Southwestern University as an Hispanic Serving Institution in Summer 2023. Additionally, Southwestern plans to apply for Title V funding during the next federal funding opportunity, which is tentatively slated for Spring 2025. Title V grants assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. These grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.

Tactical Plan in Action: Southwestern Receives Designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution; Southwestern Earns Hispanic-Serving Institution Designation; Finding a Familiar Face and a Helping Hand at Southwestern

Southwestern unveiled the new Professor John Score II Learning Commons in Fall 2024, a centralized home for student tutoring that houses the Debby Ellis Writing Center as well as the newly-created Tutoring Center. An anonymous donation of $300,000 was made to fund the establishment of the Learning Commons. An additional gift of $50,000 was received to support the hourly pay of student tutors, and a Coordinator of the Professor John Score II Learning Commons was hired.

Tactical Plan in Action: Welcome to SU’s new Learning Commons; Southwestern University Unveils Professor John Score II Learning Commons

Southwestern has improved from a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio prior to the implementation of the Tactical Plan to a current 11:1 ratio. As student enrollment and retention increase, new faculty members have been added to maintain growth, including nine new faculty hired for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Southwestern has implemented a cluster hire option in the faculty allocation process to encourage retention. A thematic hire initiative began in Fall 2021 and has since awarded lines in English, political science, history, and feminist studies to the Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice program in Black and Latinx Studies. The Social Justice tag designation process was revised, with a new task force, rubric, and assessment mechanisms. The percentage of faculty of color has increased each year for the past decade, up from 16% in 2015-2016 to 36.5% in 2024-2025. For the 2024-2025 academic year, 61.64% of faculty are White, while 18.24% are Hispanic, 11.95% are Asian, and 4.40% are Black. The percentage of female faculty has also gradually increased over time, up from 49% in 2015-2016 to 60% in 2024-2025.

Tactical Plan in Action: Meet Our World-Class Faculty: Gabriel Peña; Meet Our World-Class Faculty: Chandrayee Chatterjee; Meet Our World-Class Faculty: Jean Remy Habimana

Work is underway to enhance and expand the opportunities for students to engage in various Paideia experiences. While future funding will dictate the full scope of these expansions and enhancements, $100,000 has previously been awarded in the form of Paideia study abroad scholarships. Additionally, a proposal for a Mellon grant to increase funding for interdisciplinary Paideia minors is currently in development.

After soliciting feedback from students, faculty, and staff, Southwestern contracted with Aramark as the new dining services provider in Summer 2022. Since then, Aramark, branded as Pirate Dining, has elevated the quality of food options and created meals to be more inclusive, sustainable, and welcoming. Pirate Dining has earned national awards for the quality of meals, friendliness of staff, and renovation to the dining hall. A student Dining Committee was also commissioned to meet regularly with Pirate Dining to ensure these efforts remain intentional and responsive.

Tactical Plan in Action: Pirate Dining Rises Above in a Sea Full of Options

To explore avenues to develop DIBE professional development programs, Southwestern acquired a three-year membership in the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA). The Staff Steering Committee participated in LACRELA’s “Engaging Equity Live” in Spring 2024 and met on how to apply and implement lessons learned. Staff and faculty were included in programming, and stronger support for DIBE in hiring and training policies and procedures were developed. Diversity training was provided to faculty and staff search committees and the Title IX Coordinator is working with Human Resources to introduce diversity and inclusion education into employee onboarding and annual training.

Southwestern has established hiring policies and procedures throughout the University that prioritize DIBE and retention objectives as part of each candidates’ qualifications, in addition to expertise and credentials. Faculty and staff advertisements have language focused on DIBE and faculty and staff search committees have received diversity and anti-discrimination training. Additionally, Human Resources has designed and implemented a tool within Interfolio to capture applicants’ demographic data, enabling the evaluation of diversity across different stages of the selection process. For the 2024-2025 academic year, 36.5% of Southwestern faculty identify as faculty of color, well above the national average of 27.6% for all institutions. The percentage of faculty of color has increased each year for the past decade, up from 16% in 2015-2016 to 36.5% in 2024-2025.

Human Resources has completed a compensation analysis that identified all positions’ salary ranges and determined that 93% of positions are within 90% of their target. However, HR continues to work to identify additional sources of data to provide more depth to salary analysis. Each year, budgets are built to maintain annual salary increases for exempt employees.