Overview

Trinity Tomorrow, Trinity University’s strategic plan from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2023, outlined action steps that provided the vision for a liberal arts experience in the 21st century. With the extraordinary work done over the course of a decade, Trinity: works much more collaboratively; commits fully to hands-on learning and interdisciplinary discovery; demonstrates an unwavering commitment to holistic student success; improves year-over-year in recruitment and retention efforts; and continues to improve alumni and community engagement.
 

Trinity Tomorrow milestones, 2013-2023

Objectives   Foundations   Addendum

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Objectives

Objective 1

Strengthen Opportunities For Experiential Learning

Experiential education expands the site of learning from the campus classroom into the neighborhood, city, and beyond.
 

Increased to an 11 member team dedicated to:

  • career discernment and planning
  • undergraduate research
  • internships
  • university-employer relations
  • service-learning and volunteerism
  • alumni engagement
  • Mellon Initiative support for faculty and students
  • Creation of ALE Faculty Fellows program
  • Additional support for and from the Collaborative for Learning and teaching
  • 74% of students participated in an internship or undergraduate research
  • 225+ students per summer participate in summer research, with 93% of academic departments supporting undergraduate research fellows
  • 4 → 34: ALE summer internship program grows number of internships from 2015-2023, all funded by Trinity University
  • Find Your Direction Fund launched to reduce financial barriers to student EXL access
  • Community Federal Work Study Program + Ability Awareness Fair that connects students to volunteer opportunities
  • 100% Health Care Administration Employment Rate for the Class of 2021
  • 85% first-time CPA Exam pass rates for accounting master’s students (national average 52%)
  • 8 month intensive internship for the Master of Arts in Teaching
  • 240+ student presentations, from annual summer experiential learning showcase to national and international conferences
  • Expansion of EXL course designations in the Courses of Study Bulletin
  • Community partnerships through Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • 98% positive outcome rate for the Classes of 2021 and 2022—and experiential learning is a huge reason for this success!
  • First year Reflections program evolved into 1869 Scholars alumni mentoring program, enhancing student-to-alumni networking
  • Career and Internship Fairs renew and improve focus post-Covid

 

Objective 2

Foster “Productive Collisions” as a Defining Characteristic of Trinity University

In order to ask new questions, or to gain fresh insights on enduring questions, we must draw upon a variety of perspectives. 
 

  • 575+ Pathways courses developed and approved
  • Increased the number of digital literacy and natural science courses
  • Increased emphasis on oral and visual communication and experiential learning opportunities

Arts, Letters, and Enterprise minor and internship programs connect humanities, STEM, and social science students with area nonprofits

  • 150+ ALE summer internships
  • 50+ nonprofits and partner organizations in the community
  • ALE program adds new Accounting course aimed at the general student body
  • ALE program adds new Grant Writing and Fundraising course, now taught every semester

“Building Inclusive Communities” research cluster

  • Hiring began in Fall 2022; cohort will enter in Fall 2023
  • Cluster aims to foster research collaboration across disciplines and to attract faculty members with explicit commitment to and expertise in DEI-related teaching and research. 

Academic facilities encourage productive collisions

  • CSI completed in 2014
  • Halsell Center Renovations completed in 2021
  • Dicke Hall completed in 2022
  • Chapman Center to be completed in 2023

 

Objective 3

Enhance Students’ International Engagement and Awareness

In an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, students must develop the necessary knowledge and skills to be effective citizens of the world.
 

  • 15 new faculty-led study abroad and research programs
  • 35-40% of Trinity students have an international experience; 285 students are going abroad in 2023
  • CIE program models in Germany, Spain, Costa Rica, and more

Supports:

  • Study Abroad
  • International Student and Scholar Services
  • International Studies major and minor
  • EAST - East Asian Studies at Trinity
  • MAS - Mexico, the Americas, and Spain
  • CLAC - Culture and Languages Across the Curriculum

2018 evaluation and assessment, resulting in a 5-year action plan

  • Culture and Languages Across the Curriculum + Faculty-Led Study Away Programs in: Biology, Business, Economics, Engineering Science, Geology, Political Science, Religion, Spanish
  • Collaborative Online International Education (COIL) programs: students in the classroom work with other students at their universities in Japan, Mexico and Spain
  • COVID-19 Research: studies in Business, Communication, Finance, Political Science, Theater, and more! on how the coronavirus has influenced human rights around the globe
  • Home School Tuition Policy for Trinity students
  • 2022-23 Review: $180,000+ in need-based grants to 38 students for study abroad
  • Global Latinx Studies major created
  • International Studies major and minor reimagined
  • Boosted MAS, EAST, and LAC course offerings
  • 115+ study abroad programs in 60 countries
Objective 4

Maximize the Educational and Personal Benefits of a Residential Liberal Arts University

As a residential liberal arts college, our charge is not only to prepare students academically, but also to enable them to lead healthy, productive, and successful lives.
 

  • “Starting Strong: Intentional Strategies for Improving First Year Student Success”
    • Academic Advising 
    • Tiger Learning Commons
  • Development and evolution of Student Success functions across Academic Affairs and Student Life divisions, including:
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Support/Coaching
    • Writing Center
    • Student Accessibility Services
    • Quantitative Reasoning & Skills (QRS) Center 
    • Counseling Services
    • Health Services
    • Wellness Services
  • 25+/-% of Trinity students are varsity student-athletes, additional 34+/-% participate in IMs, club sports, and O-Rec
  • 5 consecutive NCAA Postgraduate Scholars
  • 171 Total All-America honors earned by student-athletes 2012-2020
  • 16-18 varsity teams consistently maintain an average GPA above 3.00.
  • Notable lecture series, including: Jane Goodall, Michele Norris, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, David Cameron, Margaret Atwood… to name only a few!
  • Implemented of Presence platform to streamline student org events and deadlines
  • Created the Campus Events Committee to balance curricular and co-curricular activities.
  • Tobacco-Free Trinity
  • Financial Literacy Collective, including the award-winning Game of Life: Financial Literacy Initiative, $31,250 Financial Literacy Foundation of South Texas grant, and Personal Finance course offering
  • Summer Bridge Program Improvements
  • Addition of Wellness Coordinator role and 2 additional mental health counselors
  • Chaplain transition: Alexander Serna-Wallender ’08, ’09
  • Expand offerings for Chapel | Spiritual Life
  • Public awareness and support of major religious holidays and observances

 

Foundations

Foundation A

Build the Infrastructure to Support the Needs of the 21st Century University

We need both long-term planning and regular reviews to help us determine the most efficient and effective use of all human and financial resources.
 

  • 155% increase in applications from 2013-2022 (~4,500 to ~11,500)
  •  64% admit rate in 2013 drops to 31% in 2022
  •  34% students of color enrolled in 2013 entering class increases to 48% in 2022 entering class
  • 250% increase in Early Decision (binding) students: from 36 students in 2013 to 108 in 2022
  • Junior Recruitment Team created to bolster communication, marketing and programming for high school juniors
  • High school junior specific website landing page
  • Creation of Tiger Friday events for admitted students and Trinity Tower Scholars competition for top academic candidates (20+ full tuition awards annually)
  • Virtual Visit Opportunities and Materials post-COVID
  • Hosted a national conference in 2018 for 200+ influential high school counselors at college preparatory schools representing 27 states
  • Admissions moves to Northrup Hall from South Campus
  • Grand entrance and Beneski Parkway created
  • Plans for Welcome Center are underway with the Campus Master Plan
  • CSS Profile: new institutional methodology to more accurately assess students’ eligibility for institutional need-based aid
  • Implementation of Self Service and Autopackager to enhance business practices and meet needs of Trinity students and families.
  • Intentional efforts to reduce overall student loan indebtedness by 11% from 2013 to 2022
  • Revamped Trinity.edu website
  • National brand awareness campaigns
  • Slate CRM and implementation of segmented/targeted marketing 
Foundation B

Be An Innovative Leader for Excellence in Teaching and Research

Active scholarship is the most powerful way faculty members remain engaged with their fields, contribute new findings, inform their teaching, and gain professional recognition for themselves and the University.
 

  • Creation of publication, IMPACT: Scholarship, Creativity, and Community Engagement at Trinity University
  • Since 2016: 7 issues; 50,000+ print copies; 150,000+ digital copies; revamped digital presence
  • Distribution to peer and aspirant colleges and universities, including NLACs 
  • 2015: Self-study and formal external review to evaluate the Library’s operations, identify future opportunities, and benchmark the Library’s achievements relative to peer institutions
  • 2018: Library Renovation Task Force; Measurement of Information Service Outcomes (MISO)—a national survey of college libraries
  • Addition of new publishing and research technologies; addition of open-source educational material
  • Mellon Initiative: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports initiatives aimed at improving access to and expanding opportunities for undergraduate research in the arts and humanities.
  • National grant funding (NSF, HHMI, and more) specifically for student participation in research
  • 93% of academic departments support undergraduate research fellows
  • 2013: Collaborative for Learning and Teaching launched
  • 2018: Faculty Learning Community (FLC) focused on digital literacy
  • Pathways course redesign grants
  • QEP first-year course grants
  • 2018: SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation and identification of student learning outcomes
  • 2019-2020: Academic departments and programs begin data-driven self-study, external reviews
  • Arthur Vining Davis Foundations grant supports ongoing department chair development
  • 43% of full-time faculty held at least one grant award between 2014-2022
  • $17.3M in active funding for 124 faculty members from 2018-2022
  • 2x number of grant proposals submitted annually, from ~30 in 2014 to 60 in 2022

 

Foundation C

Improve Alumni Relations, Engagement, and Giving

By nurturing relationships with our current and future alumni, we will be assured that the University benefits from the professional expertise, passion for lifelong learning, and generosity that have always distinguished Trinity alumni.
 

  • “Trinity on Tour” program brought Trinity to alumni across the nation; transitioned to Presidential introductory tours in 2016 & 2022
  • Introduction and expansion of virtual events (webinars, podcasts) allowed more alumni, including international alumni, to participate
  • Expanded Reunion Committees to allow more alumni to participate in this volunteer activity
  • Award-winning Block Party event at Alumni Weekend resulted in record attendance of alumni from all class years
    • CASE Gold Award for Alumni Program, Projects or Special Event
    • CASE Platinum Award District Finalist for Best Practices in Alumni Relations
  • Recognized in 2019 by College Consensus as #33 on Top 50 Best Alumni Networks 
  • Creation of Tuition Stop Day event to educate students about the importance philanthropy plays in their Trinity experience
  • 162 students and 215 young alumni (grads of last 5 years) are currently Trinity True
  • Introduction of TigerTUTiger senior to young alumni giving program
  • 1869 Challenge becomes a Trinity tradition
  • Goal setting toward 17% alumni participation
  • Established Trinity True legacy giving program
  • Revamp of Associates program, including giving levels and benefits
  • Two transformational gifts from alumni—$25M Neidorff gift and $10M Dicke gift—speak to importance of legacy, naming
  • New giving form and adoption of PayPal streamlined giving process for donors
  • Heritage Society documented future commitments increased from $40M in 2012 to $83M in 2022
  • 267 Heritage Society Members
  • Dedicated Planned Giving marketing partnership with Stelter
  • Groundwork laid for Comprehensive Campaign (feasibility study, staffing, goal setting)

 

Foundation D

Build the Infrastructure to Support the Needs of the 21st Century University

We need both long-term planning and regular reviews to help us determine the most efficient and effective use of all human and financial resources.
 

  • 2013: Trinity.edu redesign and transition to new CMS
  • 2020: CMS upgrade and site redesign
  • Website used strategically for student and employee recruitment, national recognition
  • 2022: Workday launch improves internal document management and employee action
  • 2017: Trinity University Campus Master Plan: Honoring the Past, Preparing for the Future
  • first master plan in more than 60 years
  • 2018: ​​Trinity Designated a Historic District, with 26 buildings and 3 structures included
  • 2022: Beneski Parkway, new campus entrance from Hildebrand Avenue
  • A series of 6 new and recently renovated buildings, from Marrs McLean Science Center to Dicke Hall, creates a strong academic core in the center of campus.
  • Digital Transformation (DX): campus-wide, multi-year initiative
  • 2015: Internal audit of Trinity’s Information Technology Services (ITS)
  • 2016: 2 faculty and staff task forces (academic computing and administrative strategy) undertake a comprehensive review of Trinity’s use of Information Technology 
  • 2016: Formal administrative audit / external review
  • 2017: New positions in administrative structure established; begin changes to existing positions
  • 2014: Trinity University Integrated Marketing and Communications Plan (IMC Plan)
  • 2021: Results, review, refinement in pursuit of national recognition / reclassification
  • Incoming classes comprised of 40+% students of color
  • 2018: Gallup Engagement Survey to strengthen workplace culture through intentional improvements
  • 2020: Legacy of Excellence Program
  • ALE intern and faculty programs strengthen ties with nonprofits and cultural institutions
  • Major giving initiatives connect business partners with Trinity graduates
  • Trinity University Press rewrites mission statement after acquisition of Maverick Publishing

Trinity’s work on Trinity Tomorrow made it possible for the University to not only remain poised, but confident in our directions and our support for our community during: the coronavirus pandemic (March 2020) and the sudden shift to digital learning; budget cuts (August 2020) and the VSIP program (May 2021); utility loss due to winter snow storms (February 2021); and much more. 
OUR hard work and dedication to enduring excellence, intentional inclusion, and perpetual discovery set Trinity University up for an even more successful future ahead.

 

Addendum

Focusing Efforts Toward Trinity's Core Value of Intentional Inclusion

As the University began implementation of Trinity Tomorrow, teams across campus noticed an omission: While many assumed that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging were implied throughout the plan, explicit connections to Trinity’s core value of Intentional Inclusion were left out.

Beginning in 2016, the University began reporting on new programs, policies, and practices to celebrate the rich diversity of our campus community and the experiences of all individuals. This report became an addendum to the annual strategic plan progress report produced every August.

Since then, Trinity has elevated its commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging, through strategic investments and inaugural leadership appointments. To best reflect Intentional Inclusion, the University changed its language to ensure that implicit references to the value of diversity have been replaced by explicit commitments.

  • Established in June 2020, composed of faculty and staff with participation from students and alumni
  • 29 recommendations across 7 work group areas:
    • Student Recruitment, Retention, and Student Success
    • Student Employees, Staff and Faculty Recruitment and Retention
    • Campus Climate, Culture, and Programming
    • Staff and Faculty Training, Education, and Leadership Development
    • Alumni and San Antonio Community Engagement
    • Curriculum and Pedagogy
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Juan Sepúlveda, J.D., is the first President’s Special Adviser for Inclusive Excellence
  • Leadership role tasked with the administration, management, coordination, and implementation of a goals-based strategic plan for inclusive excellence that promotes diversity and fosters inclusion for students, employees, alumni, and other stakeholders.
  • Wilson Terrell Jr. is the first AVPAA:IE
  • Responsible for advancing Trinity’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by reducing bias, promoting professional development, making data-informed decisions, and aiding the creation of anti-racist structures among the faculty and in Trinity’s classrooms. 
  • Courtney Balderas is the first to hold this revamped position in the Student Diversity and Inclusion Office
  • The SDIO ensures the core Trinity University value of Intentional Inclusion is visible and celebrated in the academic, professional, and social development of each student.
  • Student Diversity and Inclusion Office and the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
  • gauge the current campus climate related to diversity and inclusion for Trinity students, faculty, and staff
  • commitment to welcome, belonging, and value