Geneva Aligns on Mission through Strategic Objectives

Accountability is good for everyone and all things - and Geneva is no exception. Geneva is accountable to an accrediting body, the Middle States Commission for Higher Education (MSCHE). Its role is to examine the policies and practices of institutions of higher learning and provide evaluation and guidance. It assures students and the public of the quality of higher education.

The MSCHE recently conducted its regular audit of Geneva and on June 21, 2018, reaffirmed the accreditation of the college for eight years. One clear message communicated is the strong alignment on the institutional mission among faculty, staff, students and college leadership. The report committee wrote, “Detailed discussions with faculty, administrators, and students show that the mission and purpose of the college is communicated well and plays an active role in the academic programs and how subject matter is presented, discussed and debated in the classroom.”

Building on the missional alignment of the college, a committee of college faculty and staff developed the following strategic objectives:

1. Christian Faith & Learning – Integrate Christian faith and earn a reputation for excellence
2. Spirited Community – Nurture an inviting and spirited community, committed to the mission and core values
3. Christian Calling – Build Christian calling and vocation into the fabric of co-curricular life
4. Financial Health – Grow net revenue to achieve a 3% operating margin by 2022-2023
5. Independent Funding – Cultivate methodologies that will enable a reduction in government funding of the college

Vice President of Information Technology Services and CIO Scott Barnes who heads up the implementation of the strategic objectives, says, “These objectives make the mission of the college tangible and bring faculty, students and staff together in meaningful, collaborative work.”

The President and his Policy Group members have worked to prioritize and operationalize these objectives this spring and summer. And they are making progress in continuous improvements, which address MSCHE recommendations and other missional priorities.

“These objectives make the mission of the college tangible and bring faculty, students and staff together in meaningful, collaborative work.”
― Scott Barnes, Geneva Vice President of Information Technology & CIO

One example of progress on the objectives is strategic partnerships, which can be important ways to extend the resources of the college to new students. The Geneva Nursing program, as with the Aviation/Business and Aviation/Missions programs, stems from relationships built with nearby Community College of Beaver County. These programs are already attracting new students into the college, enabling progress toward greater financial health of Geneva and helping students find their Christian calling and vocation. Partnerships like the Shanghai Pathway and Emerge Education have brought students from China to campus this summer and extended adult degree programs by way of online courses to a national audience of potential students.

Another example of operationalizing the strategic objectives is expansion and strengthening of orientation for newer faculty members. The orientation now includes greater emphasis on integration of faith and learning, notably through discussion and focus of individual and group work on integration statements. Other topics of focus are introduction to Geneva's Christian liberal arts core and application of a Reformed worldview.

The college continues to improve through the affirmation of Foundational Concepts; its shared mission, vision, and core values; strategic objectives; and above all, the providence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. When MSCHE returns in 2026-27, it should once again find the strong moorings of a missional institution that serves its students for God's glory.

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