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Strengthening student enrollment is particularly important as the number of high school graduates begins to decline and as competition among 4-year institutions for student enrollment increases. IU Fort Wayne must broaden and diversify key strategies aimed at stabilizing and expanding enrollment through improved retention, and attractive and relevant academic programs.

• Objective 1: Expand academic offerings through new or related majors, degrees, certificates and more
  Increase new academic offerings by 50% over the strategic planning period above the current 12 offerings.
• Objective 2: Increase awareness of IU Fort Wayne throughout Northeast Indiana
  Repeat market research study in 2026, increase leading awareness indicators over baseline from the 2021 market research study by 30%.
• Objective 3: Enhance student support services to extend beyond traditional students
  Disaggregated retention rates by demographic (TBD) and establish campus-level retention to that within top 25% of peer institutions.

It has long been understood that student success is rooted in an enjoyable and supportive student experience. Engaging student life and an equitable campus experience will form the foundation of our student retention efforts and ultimate level of student success.

• Objective 1: Increase student engagement outside of the classroom
  Increase the annual rate of student involvement in events to 80% from (TBD).
• Objective 2: Increase faculty/staff engagement with campus events
  Increased rate of faculty/staff involvement in events to 85% from (TBD).
• Objective 3: Creation of student-centered space for IU Fort Wayne students
  Increase Sq footage commensurate with SB growth from current level of 28,000sq ft./900 UGSB.

Enhancing retention and improving on-time graduation will strengthen student enrollment, and ultimately support the region’s workforce needs.

• Objective 1: Build a sense of campus identity and belonging
  Via student survey data - Improve survey results in areas of belonging by 25% from (TBD).
  Increase IU student event participation in student government and student lead organizations by 25% from (TBD).
  
• Objective 2: Provide robust student mentoring opportunities
  100% of freshmen and first- generation students offered mentoring.
  Attain graduation and retention rates within that of top 25% peer-institutions.
• Objective 3: Improve early alert system/process
  Establish a PFW to IUFW early warning system or process by Fall 2024.
  Attain retention rates within that of top 25% peer-institutions.
• Objective 4: Develop a bridge program for incoming first-year students to engage at an earlier point
  Pilot a bridge program by fall 2024, building out for all incoming freshman students by 2026.

The classroom environment and learning experience play a critical role in student satisfaction and success. IU Fort Wayne strives to ensure faculty have the resources and knowledge needed to provide a robust and innovative learning experience for all students.

• Objective 1: Improve and increase integration of IPE (Interprofessional Education)
  Increase IPE credit hours by 50% from (TBD).
  Each IUFW student will engage in a minimum of one IPE experience each academic year.
• Objective 2: Broaden available trainings for facultyEstablish/link a minimum of one training program each semester to foster faculty engagement with best practices in curricula, pedagogy, and inclusive teaching practices.
  Increase faculty participation in trainings by 30% from (TBD).

IU Fort Wayne is uniquely positioned to exploit some of the industry’s emerging and best practices regarding high impact experiences. With our focus on degrees in the health professions, IU Fort Wayne will leverage opportunities of inter-professional education, service learning, and cultural immersion.

• Objective 1: Grow Service-Learning opportunities for all students
  Increase Service-Learning credit hours and hours engaged in activities by 30% from (TBD).
• Objective 2: Broaden IPE offerings to engage more students and across more disciplines
  Increase IPE credit hours offered/taken by 25% from (TBD).
  Each student will participate in at least one IPE experience per academic year.
• Objective 3: Enhance professional and cultural immersion for students to broaden their exposure and understandings
  Increase number of available experiences per academic year by 25%.
  Increase number of student hours engaged in related activities by 25% from (TBD).

Student success is often measured through student career outcomes following graduation or their desire to continue to higher levels of education. IU Fort Wayne is committed to positive student outcomes and will work to ensure every student reaches their end goal, be that further education or joining the workforce in their chosen health-related field.

• Objective 1: Identify and strengthen employment/further-education rates amongst graduates
  Via “First Destination Survey” or other tracking method, attain job placement rates greater than that of top 25% of peer institutions.
• Objective 2: Improve licensure and certification rates
  Maintain licensure and certification exams pass rates within those of top 25% of peer institutions and greater than or equal to state/national averages.
• Objective 3: Integrate community engagement and service learning into academic programs
  Each IUFW graduate will have a minimum of three community engagement/service-learning experiences over their academic career.

IU Fort Wayne, in its current state, is primarily dedicated to undergraduate education. To be relevant in our market and to attract students, we need to expand our graduate offerings. This will also expand our ability to meet workforce needs at another level.

• Objective 1: Add additional graduate programs that support the academic mission of the campus
  Add a minimum of three new graduate programs in alignment with workforce needs during this strategic plan period.
• Objective 2: Develop infrastructure to support future graduate programs
  Establish staff positions to support graduate study commensurate with the number of programs and graduate student body.

Community-engaged research highlights the relevance of collaborative scholarly endeavors. With the focus on health professions education, IU Fort Wayne is uniquely positioned to collaborate with community partners and contribute to studying and addressing identified community public health issues.

• Objective 1: Engage in research regarding critical community public health issues that are aligned with the expertise of faculty at IU Fort Wayne.
  Based on community needs, complete and disseminate, one to three research studies over the term of the strategic plan period.
• Objective 2: Cultivate relationships with community stakeholders to promote public dissemination of scholarly activities
  Establish at least three mechanisms of dissemination across varied stakeholders.
• Objective 3: Enhance interdisciplinary work and collaboration across schools related to research projects
  Establish at least one new or continuing interdepartmental collaboration project per year.

The expansion of faculty development and support in research fosters enhanced scholarly contributions from not only faculty, but also students. Through building an outstanding research reputation, IU Fort Wayne will attract and retain exceptional faculty and students.

• Objective 1: Increase faculty professional development opportunities
  Meet with faculty no less than annually to review and guide needs and opportunities; each faculty member will have an individualized development plan.
• Objective 2: Identify and develop support for faculty to increase research skills and engagement
  Meet with faculty no less than annually to review and guide needs and opportunities; all applicable faculty will have an individualized research plan.
  Increasing number of completed and ongoing research studies aggregated across the campus by 25%.