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AchievingOurBest: AStrategicPlanforRhodesCollege2020-2030

TheRhodesVisionRhodesCollegeaspirestograduatestudentswithalife-longpassionforlearning,acompassionforothers,andtheabilitytotranslateacademicstudyandpersonalconcernintoeffectiveleadershipandactionintheircommunitiesandtheworld. OurBestDay Wearefirstandforemostacommunitythatinspiresprofoundtransformationamongourstudentstofosterlivesofexceptionalpurposeandsuccess.Formorethan150years,wehaveofferedaworld-classlearningenvironmentthatinspiresgreatnesswithineverymemberofourcommunity.Fromourrigorousacademicprogramtoouroutstandingfacultytoourtimelessarchitecture,everyaspectofourcollegeisintentionallydesignedtocreateanexcellencethatchallengesourstudents,faculty,staff,andcommunityaliketodreambiggerandachievemore.Unwaveringinourconfidenceandourideals,weofferaneducationthatiselite,butneverelitist.Drivenbypossibility,weimaginethebrightestpossiblefuture,leveragingourpassionsinpursuitofamoreperfectworld. Inspiredbythevibrantcityandimmensecreativitysurroundingus,wesupporttransformationthroughboundlessexploration.AtRhodesCollege,asstudents,facultyandstaff,weputnolimitsonourcapacityorwillingnesstolearn,insideandoutsidetheclassroom.Wetreateveryexperienceasanopportunityforgrowth,openingoureyesandourmindstonewperspectivesthatallowustoseeandunderstandthecomplexitiesofourworldmorefully.Byaskingbiggerquestionsandchallengingourownideas,weembarkonjourneysthatinspirecontinualgrowthandimprovement.Filledwithcuriosityandwonder,wearefreetopursueintellectualandethicalidealsthatwillguideandshapeusforlivesoftransformativepurposeandsuccess. TheNextDecadeWhilewebelieveourbestdayslieahead,thechallengesrelatedtothefuturedemographicsofourcountryandtheeconomicsofprivatehighereducationarereal.Beginningin2026,thenationwillexperienceasignificantpopulationdownturn,ofapproximately12%to15%,inthenumberofhighschoolseniorsasaresultofadecreaseinbirthratesduringtheGreatRecessionthatbeganin2008.Itisexcitingtocontemplateastudentpopulationthatwillbemorediverse.Thesestudentswillexpectacurriculumandpedagogythatacknowledgesthatdiversity,andcompetitionamongcollegestoenrollthemwillbecomeevenmorefierce.Acrosshighereducation,nettuitionrevenue(tuitionrevenuelessinstitutionalfinancialaid)hasremainedrelativelyflatsince2008,whilegrosstuitionitselfhasrisenapproximately50%overthelast10yearsintheprivateliberalartssector.AtRhodes,nettuitionrevenueperstudentfortheenteringclasshasdeclinedbyapproximately5%fromitspeakinFall2013.Tocontinuetoservethestudentsofthefuture,wewillneedtoenhanceourapproachtofinancialaidandimagineanewapproachtocostofeducation.

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BroadereconomicandculturalconcernsalsoimpactthefutureofRhodes.CommonplaceskepticismabouttheliberalartsandsciencesasthebestapproachtohighereducationmisleadsthepublicaboutthevalueofRhodesandoursisterinstitutions.Themarketforhighereducationhasbecomenoisierandmorecompetitive.Rhodesmustworkeverhardertotellitsstoryinacompellingandvisiblemanner. OurCompetitiveAdvantagesRhodesiswellpositionedtofacethesechallenges.Perhapsourmostimportantadvantageisthestrengthofouracademicprogram.Ourcurriculumisshapedbyafacultycommittedtoundergraduateteachingexcellenceintheartsandsciences,originalresearch,innovation,andcreativityacrossthedisciplines.Thiscombinationofintensiveworkwithfacultyoncampusandengagementoffcampusinourcity,nation,andworldisanextraordinaryopportunityforstudents.Ouralumniconsistentlyreportlong-termbenefits,life-longemployability,andcareeradvancementasaresultoftheirRhodeseducation.Collaboratingwithfacultyoncutting-edgeprojectsandemergingquestionsgivesRhodesstudentsanadvantageinapplyingtograduateandprofessionalprograms.Itpreparesstudentsforarapidlychangingworld.Thoughtfulengagementwiththeworldpreparesstudentstoadapttonewsituationsandtoofferinsightwhenconfrontingunexpectedproblems.Weaimtobemoredeliberateaswehighlightthepathsthatleadfromtheclassroomandthelaboratorytociviclifeandtheglobalmarket.Weareoneofveryfewnational,residentialliberalartscollegestobefoundinamajorcity.MemphisisadistinctiveAmericancitythatprovidesthecollegewithunparalleledopportunitiesforourstudentsandfacultytolive,learn,andlead.Memphishasafascinatinghistorywithimpactfarbeyondourregion,aswellasongoingimpactsonscientificandtechnologicaladvancementandthedevelopmentofaglobaleconomy.MidtownanddowntownMemphisareinaperiodofgrowth,makingourlocationmoreattractivetomoretalentedanddiversestudentsofthefuture.Ourcampusisknownforitsbeautyandarchitecture.Further,ourcommunity,students,faculty,staff,alumniandparentsareincrediblysupportiveofourwork.Financially,Rhodeshasmorethan45yearsofbalancedbudgets,moderateinstitutionaldebtwithanA+ratingfromthebondratingagencies,andarecordofsuccessfulfundraisingcampaigns.Wewillutilizenew,research-basedmethodsandapproachestotellacompellingstory.Whileourbusinessfundamentalsarestrong,ourprogrammaticofferingsareattheheartofourcompetitiveadvantagesamongliberalartscolleges.Rootedinthecollege’svaluesreflectedinourseal—Truth,LoyaltyandService—studentsgaininvaluableexperiencesenablingthemtocultivatetheirtalents,andtoenrichtheireducationthroughthecitywecallhome.Ouracademicreputation,competitiveNCAADIIIathleticprogram,outstandinggraduateandprofessionalschoolacceptancerates,emergingdiversityamongstudents,award-winningMockTrialteam,andmanyotherprogramsattractexcellentstudentsfromacrossthecountry.Ournationalreputationformeaningfulserviceopportunitiesandcommunity-basedlearningshapesthewaysourgraduatescontributetotheworld.Theintersectionofaliberalartseducationwithservicetoothersisapowerfulcombination,andwearepoisedtobeanationalmodelforattractingstudentsworldwidewhoseekatransformativeandholisticeducation.OurGoalandStrategyWewillalignourbusinessmodelwithourmissionsothatwecanpursuenationalexcellenceinresidentialliberalartseducationwhileremainingacollegeofapproximately2000students.Indoingso,wewillcommittotheRhodesEdge,aneducationalandresidentialexperiencethatensuresourgraduatesare

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• Intellectuallyreadytotackletheworld’smostpressingproblems.

• Leadershipreadytocreateequitableandprosperouscommunities.

• Careerandgraduateschoolreadytosucceedintomorrow’seconomy.

ByhoningtheRhodesEdge,wewilladdvaluetotheundergraduateexperiencesothattalentedstudents,faculty,staffandouralumniareincreasinglywillingtoinvestinRhodes.Further,wewillmaximizeourotherrevenuestreamsthroughendowmentgrowthandthedevelopmentofnewrevenuegeneratingprogramsinordertoreducetuitionpressureonourstudents.Fourfocusareaswillguideourdecision-makingandinvestmentsoverthenextdecade.FocusArea#1:BuildAcademicandCreativeExcellenceWewillinvestin:

• ExcellenceintheLiberalArts:OutstandingteachingisahallmarkofRhodesCollegeandthefoundationofouracademicexcellence.Wewillsupportinitiativestoattractandretainanexcellentanddiversefaculty,facultyeffortstodevelopasteachersandscholars,andrevisionsofourcurriculumtomeetstudentneeds.Wewillidentifynewresourcestosupportfacultyinitiatives,includingfacultycollaborationandourhallmarkcurricularengagementwiththecityofMemphisandourregion.

• AGloballyEngagedCurriculum:Wewillsupportfacultyandadministrativeeffortstodevelopagloballyengagedstrategythatstrengthensprogramsofstudy,conductsresearch,anddevelopsinternshipopportunities,linkingourcurrentstrengthinlocalcommunityengagementtothebroadernationalandinternationalenvironment.Wewillcontinuetoprovidescholarshipsforinternationalstudyandinternshipsandwillcontinuetoremovebarriersforstudentswhorelyonfinancialaid.Forourstudents,wewillprovideacurriculumthatnotonlyeducatesandexpandsstudentminds,butalsoequipsthemwiththeskillstochangetheworld.

• InterdisciplinaryCenters:Wewillworkwithfacultytodevelopinnovativeinterdisciplinary

centersfocusedonthestudyofcomplexcontemporaryissues.ModeledonourLynneandHenryTurleyMemphisCenter,thesehubswillprovidevibrantandadaptablephysicalspacesforfaculty,students,staff,alumni,andcommunitypartnerstocollaborateandlearn.Weexpectthesecenterstobeself-supportingandwillseekendowment,partnerships,andrevenueopportunitiestolaunchanddevelopthesecenters.

• TheFineandPerformingArts:Centraltoourstrategyistheenhancementofthefineand

performingartsatRhodesCollege.ThecreativeenergyfoundinMemphis,ourinterestinattractingabroaderrangeofstudentstoRhodes,andourdesiretostrengthenourcurriculumofferanopportunitytocreateanewandexcitingareaofexcellenceforRhodes.TheunfortunateclosureoftheMemphisCollegeofArtsuggeststhatwehavearenewedresponsibilityandopportunitytoemergeasaMemphisleaderinthisarena.Avibrantcampusartscultureandenergeticcommunitypartnershipswithartsorganizationswillenhance

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recruitmentandlearningforallstudentsandhasthepotentialtotransformthecampusandthecity.

• TheSciencesandBusiness:Ourreputationforexcellenceinpre-medicaleducationisastrategic

advantageanddrivesapproximately40%ofourapplicationpooleachyear.Tomaintainthisstrength,wewillcompletetherenovationofoursciencelabs,expandstudentopportunitiesforresearchandclinicalexperiences, andsupportinterdisciplinarycollaboration. Businessandrelatedacademicareasaccountforthelargestportionofourgraduatingseniors.Theseareasprovideastrategiccurricularadvantagecomparedtootherliberalartscolleges,especiallygivenourlocationandsetting.Providingnewresourcesandfacilitiestoattractgrowinginteresthelpsensureagrowingandvibrantapplicantpoolandallowsmultipleinterdisciplinaryopportunities.

FocusArea#2:FosteraCultureofBelongingtoSupportLeadershipReadinessWewillinvestin:

• AnInclusiveandPrincipledCampusCommunity:AcommunitythatattractsandincludestalentedstudentsandfacultyfromallbackgroundsandperspectivesallowsRhodestoaccomplishitsmissiontosetstudentsonapathoflife-longlearning,toinstillacompassionforothers,tobecomeeffectiveleadersintheircommunitiesandtheworld.Ourgoalistofosterasenseofbelongingsothatstudentshaveastablefoundationfromwhichtobechallengedandtolearnandtolead.Asourstudentbodybecomesmorediverse,wewillbuildafacultyandstaffreflectiveofthatdiversity.Wewillprovideenhancedmentoringandprofessionaldevelopmenttoensurethatfacultyandstaffareequippedwithboththeskillsandtheknowledgetosupporttheneedsofachangingstudentbody.

• ServicetoMemphis:Rhodeshasbeenrecognizedasoneofthemost“serviceminded”colleges

inthecountry.ThroughourBonnerCenterforServiceandourstudent-directedKinneyProgram,aswellasfaculty-directedresearchandcommunity-engagedlearningcourses,wewillbecomemorestrategicaboutourpotentialforpositiveimpactonourcity.Wewillcollaboratewithpartnersandstakeholderstoidentifyareasoffocus.Wewilldevelopsystemsfortrackingandassessingimpactandresults.OurLynneandHenryTurleyMemphisCenterwillstepforwardasanationalmodelforcivicengagement.

• ACultureofInstitutionalCommitment:Fromthemomentstudentssteponcampuswewill

buildacultureofdeepcommitmenttoRhodes.Wewilldevelopopportunitiesandprogramstobuildmoreschoolspirittofosterthiscommunity.Wewillcelebrateourstudents,facultyandstaffsuccesses.Wewillteachgratitudeandhowprospectivestudentengagementandphilanthropicsupportfromotherspositivelyimpactsourcommunityandiscrucialtoourfuture.

• ACommunityofHonor,Understanding,andRespect:OurHonorCodeiscentraltotheRhodes

experience,creatingadistinctivesenseofbothcommunityandindividualresponsibility.Ourface-to-face,relationship-drivenmodelofeducationandourcommitmenttobearesidentialcampusmeansthatlivingandlearningwithothersisanessentialpartoftheRhodesexperience.Astheexternalclimatebecomesmorepolarizedanddivisive,werecognizetheuniqueopportunitywehavetoteachtheskillsneededfordemocraticcitizenship,communitybuilding,andproductiveengagementwithothers.Throughnewopportunitiestodevelopleadership

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skills,wewillexpandopportunitiesforstudentstoengageinmeaningfuldialogueaboutdifficulttopics.Wewillprovidemoreexplicittrainingintheskillsneededtolivewith,andlearnfrom,othersacrosspolitical,religious,economic,andculturalspectrums.Wewillsupportacampusculturethatfostersresilience,health,gratitude,andrespectforothers,evenasitchallengesstudentstoconsidernewperspectivesandideas.

• Athletics,FitnessandWellness:Rhodesstudent-athleteshavetraditionallyenjoyedagreatdeal

ofsuccessontheplayingfieldsandcourtsthathascomplementedtheirsuccessesintheclassroomsandlaboratories.Thevarsityathleticexperienceattractsapproximately30%to35%ofeachincomingclass.However,developingastrongintramuralsportsandfitnessprogramisneededforallstudentstogainimportantleadershipandcollaborativeskills.InordertoattractthestudentsofthefutureandenhancethevalueoftheRhodesstudentlifeexperience,wewillinvestadditionalresourcesinfacilities,staffandprogramstoensurethatthecollegeisregionallyandnationallycompetitiveintheNCAADivisionIIIcontextandensurethatourfitnessandrecreationalfacilitiesandprogramsareattractiveandcompetitivebynationalstandards.

FocusArea#3:EnsureaTransformationalStudentExperiencetoSupportGraduateandCareerReadinessWewillinvestin:

• TheResidentialExperience:Wewilldevelopacomprehensivefour-yearresidentialplan,whichincludesathree-yearresidencyrequirement,thatsupportsretention,learning,andpersonalgrowth.Thiswillrequireasignificantrenewalofourresidentialexperience,includingbuildingadditionalattractiveresidentialcapacity,renovationofexistingresidentialspace,developmentofadditionalstudentcommunityspace,strengthenedstaffing,anexpandedresidencyexpectation,andon-campusprogramming.

• StudentFinancialAssistance:Toattractthetalentedstudentsoftomorrow,Rhodeswillhavetoprovideextensivemeritscholarshipandneedbasedfinancialaid.Theeducationweprovideisexpensiveandrestsonthespecialrelationshipbetweenstudentsandfacultyandhighimpactexperienceslikestudyabroadandinternships.Ourabilitytoenrollthestudentbodydependsheavilyonaneverincreasingproportionofinstitutionalgrantsandourfamilies’willingnesstotakestudentorparentloans.Institutionalgrants,whichcomefromendowmentproceedsandasignificantproportionofcurrentoperations,havemorethandoubledinthelasttenyears.Wewillneedtransformationalfinancialendowmentsupportforscholarshipandneedbasedaidaswemoveintothefuture.

• First-YearEngagement:Wewillredesignourfirst-yearexperiencetoemphasizebelongingand

communitybuilding.Wewillencouragecollaborationbetweenfacultyandstudentlifestafftoenhanceadvising,co-curricularprograms,andentrywaytothemajor.Wewillinvestinbuildingbetter-definedpathwaysforstudentsintotheirmajors,supportforfacultyandstaffwhoworkwithfirst-yearstudents,andprogrammingthatencouragesstudentstoexplorecareerpaths.

• PassionateConnectiontoaFieldofStudy:Wewillsupporteffortsbyacademicdepartmentsandinterdisciplinaryprogramstobuildacultureofbelongingandinclusionamongtheirmajorsandminors.Studentswhohavedeepconnectionswithpeersandfacultyintheirmajortendtopersistatthecollegeandcompletetheirdegreesinfouryears.Providingeventsandspaces

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wherestudentscanworkcloselywitheachotheranddevelopadeepconnectiontoafieldofstudyisimportanttotheirsenseofbelongingwhileatRhodesandthroughouttheircareers.

• CareerReadySkill-Building:AnenhancedCareerServicesstaffwillprovideexperientialand

practicalskillstopreparestudentsforpost-graduatecareerreadinessintodayandtomorrow’sprofessionalworkenvironment.Wewilldevelopastructuredfour-yearcareerexplorationprocesstoassiststudentsinbuildingapathbeyondRhodesandexpandopportunitiesforinternshipsandothercareerreadinessexperiences.

FocusArea#4:SecureOurFutureTheRhodesEdgewillbeachievedonastablefinancialfoundation.Rhodesdependsontuition,giftstotheAnnualFund,drawfromourendowment,andmajorgiftsandgrantstoprovidescholarships,fellowships,studyabroad,facultysupport,andcapitalfornewbuildingsandotherprojects.Toaccomplishourgoals,eachoftheserevenuestreamsmustexpand.Wearecommittedtoremaininganintimatecampusofapproximately2,000undergraduatestudents.Thecollege’sfinancialhealthwilldependonincreasingtheperceivedvalueoftheRhodesexperienceamongprospectivefamiliesandawillingnessamongtheRhodescommunitytofinanciallysupportthecollegetoafarlargerextent.IncreasingphilanthropicsupportofRhodesisvitaltoourfuturesuccess.Newprogramsforpost-baccalaureatelearnerswillbecomearevenueopportunityforRhodes.Additionally,wemustprepareforanuncertainfutureinwhichpolitical,economic,andtechnologicalchangecouldradicallydisruptthewayRhodesanditssisterinstitutionsfunction.Wewillinvestin:

• DevelopingNewRevenueStreams:Wewilladoptanentrepreneurialmindsettowardthedevelopmentofnewrevenue-generatingprograms.Alreadywehavedevelopedamaster’sdegreeinUrbanEducationandapost-baccalaureatecertificateforaspiringmedicalprofessionalsHealthEquitythatcanserveastemplatesforotherconcepts.Bothprogramsbuildonourinstitutionalvalues,uniqueapproachtotheliberalarts,ourlocationinMemphis,andaffordRhodestheopportunitytobecomethenationalleaderintheserespectiveareas.Wewillalsopayspecialattentiontoothermodels,muchlikeoursuccessfulSummerWritingInstitute,thatfocusonhighschoolagestudentstocomplementourundergraduatestudentrecruitmentefforts.

• BuildingandSustaininganOutstandingWorkforce:Ourfacultyandstaffareatthecoreofhow

wecarryoutthemissionofthecollegeonadailybasis.Tobettersupportourexistingstaff,wewillsupportfacultyandstaffdevelopmentandwillaimtobringsalariesinlinewithappropriatebenchmarkswhereneeded.WewillalsoidentifystrategicstaffingopportunitiesthatallowthecollegetobetterservestudentsasweimplementtheRhodesEdge.

• TellingOurStory:WewillincreasedemandforaRhodeseducationandinvitenewphilanthropicinvestmentthroughenhancedmarketingandcommunications.ThelifebloodofRhodesisthenewgenerationoftalented,diversestudentswhochoosetojointhiscommunityeachfall.Thecompetitionforthesestudentsintensifieseachyearascollegecostsgrow,realfamilyincomeremainsstagnant,collegesbecomemoreaggressiveinrecruitment,andnetstudentrevenuescontinuetobeflattodeclining.Inthisenvironment,tellingourstorymoreclearlyandtellingitbetterthanourcompetitorsbecomesanecessity.

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• PlanningtheCampus’Future:Anewcampusmasterplanwillenvisionacampusand

surroundingneighborhoodwherethestudentsoftomorrowwilllearnandlive.Theplanwillbuildonourarchitecturaldistinctiveness,ourresidentialnature,andouracademicprogramaswellasprinciplesofenvironmentalsustainability.Wewilladdresskeyfacilityenhancementsasidentifiedincampusspacestudiesregardingacademic,athletic,andstudentlifeneeds.Theseincludeenhancedenvironmentsforthearts,psychology,business,sciencelabs,careerservices,athletics,multiculturalandinterfaithspace,andthedevelopmentofadditionalspaceforstudentinteraction.WewillimprovethephysicalconnectionbetweenWestCampusandthetraditionalcampus.Masterplanningwillguideustoimagineamorewelcoming,“Memphis-facing”campus.

• CultivatingCommunityPartnerships:OurlocationintheheartofMemphisoffersbothstrategicadvantagesandspecialresponsibilities.Ourvibrantsettingprovidesnewopportunitiestoexpandourmissioncooperativelywithinterestednon-profits,businesses,andlocalgovernments.Wewillcollaboratewithourneighborstoenhancetheareassurroundingcampusandseekopportunitiesforengagement.

• EnhancingEfficiency:WehavecommittedtoimplementingWorkday,a21st-centuryadministrativecomputingplatform.Workdayprovidesanopportunitytorefineourbusinessprocesses,improveefficienciesandeffectivenessforallstudentsandfaculty,enhancetheworkofstaff,improvethestudent-facultyadvisingpractices,andfacilitatebettercommunicationacrossthecommunity.Suchacommitmentwillallowthecollegetofurtherdevelopeffortsinsophisticateddataanalytics,communications,andsupportservices.

• PreparingforUncertainty:TherewillbeacommitteeoftheBoard,chairedbythePresidentorherdesigneetoidentifyandinvestigatethe“bigunansweredquestions”facingthecollege.Wemustkeepoureyeonbroadertrendsthatcouldupendthatmarketandrequirethecollegetochangeinmoreradicalwaysandtakebiggerrisks.

ConclusionCharlesDiehl,presidentfrom1917to1949,said“realizingthatthegoodisevertheenemyofthebest,wedidnotseekmerelythegood,butthebest.Therewaseverbeforeustheideaofexcellence.Itwasourpurposetolaunchhereaninstitutionwhichwouldendureforcenturies,andwhichwouldcommandtherespectandquickentheprideofsucceedinggenerations.”Weengageinstrategicplanningtoensurethatourbestdaysareahead,andthattheRhodescommunityiscalledtoitsbest,everyday.MeetingourambitiousgoalswillrequireexpandingourcommunityofsupportersandfullyengagingthosewhoarecommittedtoRhodesCollege.Aswesetpriorities,wewilllookfirsttofocusandaligncurrentoperatingbudgets.Manyofourgoalscanbeachievedthroughacollege-wideefforttooperationalizeourstrategicgoalswithintheprogramsandprojectswealreadyfund.Weexpectthatovertime,theserealignmentswillmakeRhodesanevermoreattractivechoicefortalentedstudents.Wewillalsoprioritizeinitiativesthataimtogeneratenewnetrevenue.Manyofthesewillrequireinitialinvestments.Wewillmanagetheseriskswithcare,makingsurethatourinitialinvestmentsare

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thoughtful,thatwemonitorresults,andthatwearepreparedtoadjustorevenwithdrawinresponsetochangingmarketconditions.Asnewresourcesemerge—fromgrowingrecognitionofRhodes’valueamongprospectivestudentsandfamilies,fromnewrevenuegeneratinginitiatives,andfromfund-raising—wewillbeabletofundadditionalaspectsofourplan.Ourplanprovidesuswithamaptowardabrightfuture.Wewillmakeuseofthismapaswemakedecisionsoverthenextdecade.Butwewillalsoremainattentivetoemergingopportunitiesandrisksnotforeseenbythisplanandwillbepreparedtomakeflexibleadjustmentsaswarrantedbyexternalconditions.Ourbestdaysareahead.

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APPENDIXI OurCoreCommitments Wedonotfacetheseheadwinds,askthesequestions,orrecognizeourcompetitiveadvantagesinavacuum.RhodesandRhodesgraduateshavealongrecordofsuccessthatplacesthecollegeinthetopranksofAmericanhighereducation.Thisistruebecauseoftimelessvaluesthatwehavelongbelievedplaceourstudentsonthebestpossiblepathtorichlivesoftruth,loyalty,andservice.Forthesereasons,Rhodeswillcontinuetobe:

• CommittedtotheRhodesVision.RhodesCollegeaspirestograduatestudentswithalife-longpassionforlearning,acompassionforothers,andtheabilitytotranslateacademicstudyandpersonalconcernintoeffectiveleadershipandactionintheircommunitiesandtheworld.

• DecidedlyResidential.Oureducationmustremaingroundedinface-to-facerelationships.

Personalconnectionsmadebetweenastudentandherprofessor,withinastudentclub,inavitalandvibrantclassdiscussion,oroverasharedmealareanantidotetotheintenselymediatedinteractionswehaveonline.Itisinthesemoments—oncampusandinthecityofMemphis—whereweexamineourcorevalues,learntointeractwiththosewithwhomwedisagree,andvaluediversityofthoughtandexperience.Itisthroughlivingandlearningtogetherthatwehonethehumanitythatundergirdsvirtuouscitizenship.

• CommittedtotheHumanities,theArts,theSciences,andtheSocialSciencesastheBestFormof

UndergraduateEducation.Weofferaliberaleducationfitforfutureworld-changers.Ifwewantourgraduatestolead,wehavetoequipthemwiththeabilitytoembracechangeinallitscomplexityandambiguity.Theywillneedaholisticeducationthatfocusesonproblem-solvingandmultidisciplinaryapproaches.Andtheseworld-changersaregoingtoneedtounderstandboththeemergenttechnologiesthemselvesandthewaysthosetechnologiescanbeharnessedforthecommongood.Further,aRhodeseducationmustsupportthespirit.Widespreadchangehasalwaysexposedhumanbeingstothetemptationsofnihilism.Ifourstudentsaretobeequippedtoleadustowardabetterfuture,wehavetonurturetheirhopeandtheirresilience.

• CommittedtoAttracting,Supporting,andRetainingTalentedandDiverseStudentsandFaculty.

ARhodeseducationmustremainrelevantandaccessibletothetalentedstudentsoftomorrow.Shiftsinnationalandinternationaldemographicsmeanthattheupcomingnewstudentmajority willbeevenmorediverse.Ourfuturestudentsandfacultywillcontinuetocomefromalloverthecountry,andindeedallovertheworld.Wewillbuildontheirstrengths.Forourstudents,wewillworktirelesslytobuildneed-basedfinancialaidtoensureaRhodeseducationisaffordableforthetalentedstudentsofthiscominggeneration. Forourfacultyandstaff,wewillofferaclimatethatsupportscreativityandprofessionalgrowth.

• CommittedtoSustainableInstitutionalFinancialHealth.Withoutasustainablebusinessmodel,

wecannotliveoutourmission.Wecurrentlyrelyonstudentchargestofundapproximately75%ofourannualbudget.Philanthropy—intheformofdirectannualandcapitaldonationsanddrawsfromourendowment—suppliestherest.AdditionalphilanthropicsupportprovidesaccesstoaRhodeseducationfortalentedstudents;supportfornewlearningandresearchopportunitiesforstudents,faculty,andstaff;fundsforspecialcampusprojects;andcapitalfornewbuildingsandathleticfacilities.WewillcontinueeffortstokeepRhodesaffordableand

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vibrantbyidentifyingadditionalrevenuestreams,carefullystewardingresourcesbyadheringtoourlong-standingtraditionoffiscaldiscipline,andexpandingourdevelopmentefforts.

• CommittedtoMemphisasOurOpportunityandOurResponsibility:Ourlocationinacityis

distinctiveamongliberalartscolleges,andourrelationshipwithMemphisistransformativeforus.WhileMemphisprovidesourstudentsandfacultywithextraordinaryopportunityforlearning,personalgrowth,servicetoothers,andcommunityleadership,Memphisalsocallsustoadeepsenseofcommunityresponsibility.Weseektostrengthenourcommitmenttothosecommunitypartnerswhocomplementourmissionandofferings,promotethewell-beingofall,andaspiretobuildastrongercity.

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APPENDIXII–CHALLENGESInthecomingyears,highereducationingeneralcanexpectsignificantchallengestoitsfinancial,educational,andenrollmentmodels.Manyexpertsbelievethefinancialmodelis“broken.”Indeed,therisingcostoftuition,roomandboardhasoutpacedfamilyincomesformanyyears.Institiutionalaidhaskeptupatthecostofflattofallingnettuitionrevenueperstudent.Asaresult,competitionforstudentshasincreaseddramaticallyashastuitiondiscounting.

Rhodesnettuitonrevenueper1styearstudenthasbeenrelativelyflatforalmosttenyears.Thisexperienceisconsistentwiththevastmajorityofotherprivatecollegesanduniversities.Ineffect,themarketplaceofstudentsandfamilieshasreacheditsmaximumwillingnesstopayforthehighereducationexperience.Additionalnetrevenuewilllikelycomethroughstudentbodygrowthorenhancingtheperceivedvalueoftheinstitutionaloffering.OverthisperiodRhodes’studentbodyhasbecomelargergrowingfromapproximately1600to2000withastableacademicprofile,amuchbroadergeographicreach,andgrowthstudentdiversity.However,itisgenerallyacceptedoncampusthatRhodeshaslargelyreachedundergraduateenrollmentcapacitywithoutnewfacilitiesandprogramstoattracttalentedanddiversestudents.

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Demographersreportthatnotonlywillthenumberofhighschoolseniorswillfallmuchmoredramaticallystartingin2026,butthatthecompositionofhighschoolseniorswhenviewedbyraceandfamilyincomewillchangedramaticallyaswell.Already,however,weareexperiencingadeclineinthenumberofstudentsattendingprivateschools.Thesefamilies,whomakeupapproximately50%oftheRhodesstudentbody,haveexperiencewiththeopportunitiesprivateeducationprovidesbutalsohavedevelopedahabitofpayingforeducation.

U.S. High School Graduates

0

-252-300

-200

-100

0

100

300

400

2012-13 2018-19 2024-25 2030-31

Compared to SY 2012-13(Thousands)

=640 Hispanic=184 Asian/Pac. Isl.=32 Am. Ind./Alaska Native=474 Black=298 Private Schools=1,839 White

-34-80

+58

-9

+151 200

We are here

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U.S. Private High School Graduates, School Years2000-01 to 2010-11 (Actual) through 2011-12 to2031-32 (Projected)

220

200

240

300

320

2000-01 2010-11 2020-21 2030-31

Thou

sand

s

222,087

ACTUAL280

260PROJECTED

302,168

We are here

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Appendix III – Rhodes College Strategic Planning Structure, Timeline, and Membership (2018)

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Appendix IV - Selected References The Tuition Pricing Crisis: How College Leaders are Responding and Preparing for the Future The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2017 Sustaining the College Business Model, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2018 From College to Life: Relevance and the Value of Higher Education, Strada Education Network | Gallup, May 2018 Knocking at the College Door. Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, 2017. Rhodes College Profile, Office of Institutional Research, Spring 2018. U.S. Higher Education Sector 2018 Outlook: Addional Credit Pressures Spell A Negative Outlook for Institutions, Standard and Poors, 2018.

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AppendixVI-StrategicPlanningCommittees(2018)StudentBodySizeandCompositionCareyThompson,VicePresidentforEnrollmentandCommunicationsMarshallBoswell,ProfessorofEnglishMichaelMorgan,DirectorofFinancialAidMattDean,AssistantDirectorofAthleticsNoelleChaddock,AssociateDeanofAcademicAffairsBetsySanders,AssociateProfessorofComputerScienceJessicaRodriguez,DirectorofRhodesExpressNoorJaber’21CatrinaCattaneo’18BoundariesandFootprintRussWigginton,VicePresidentofStudentLifeandDeanofstudentsDavidMcCarthy,ProfessorofArtHistoryKendraHotz,AssociateProfessorofReligiousStudiesMichelleMattson,AssociateDeanofAcademicAffairsBrianFoshee,DirectorofPhysicalPlantTiffanyFord,DirectoroftheKinneyProgramVanessaRogers,AssociateProfessorofMusicKyleWebb,VicePresidentofFinanceandBusinessAffairsErikaFanous’19MallikaRao’20NewProgramsandRevenueMiltonMoreland,ProvostandDeanoftheFacultyAmyJasperson,AssociateProfessorandChairofPoliticalScienceJohnBass,DirectoroftheCurbInstituteSashaKostina–AssistantProfessorofModernLanguagesandLiteratureSandiGeorgeTracy,DirectorofCareerServicesJeffNorris,DirectorofAdmissionNikkiSoule,DirectorofPlannedGivingNikosZahariadis,ProfessorofInternationalStudiesWillJirik’18GeorgiosFalegkos’19