Brock University's journey to sustainable enrolment has a new comprehensive roadmap to lead the way.
The University has launched its inaugural Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) Strategy, a living framework for 2025-2030 that translates Brock's strategic aspirations into operational reality.
The document, which maintains Brock's student-centred approach, connects the goals of the Institutional Strategic Plan, University Action Plan and the Academic Plan with day-to-day decisions that shape the University's academic offerings, student experience and future sustainability.
"This five-year strategy is about reimagining Brock for tomorrow while meeting the needs and expectations of our students and restoring our competitive edge in a highly competitive sector," says Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic. "It's a call to action that, with the support of faculty and staff across the institution, will lead to increased enrolment, improved retention and enhanced supports for students that carry through from recruitment to graduation and beyond."
Informed by best practices across the post-secondary sector, the SEM Strategy will guide the revitalization of Brock's academic portfolio to reflect student interests, respond to labour market trends and establish the University's distinctive place in higher education.
"We will lead the way with bold, impactful programming that equips our graduates with the tools necessary to excel in their careers and reshape the world in both big and small ways," says Vainio-Mattila. "This work is already underway at the University. However, with these new strategies in place, we will be better positioned to showcase Brock's academic strengths and the impact they have in the world."
The SEM Strategy will build on recent momentum Brock has seen in application growth.
The University's overall applications from Ontario secondary school students are up by 4.1 per cent for 2026-27 over the previous year, with 7.3 per cent more applicants identifying Brock as their top choice.
Despite this positive shift, the University remains in a period of significant enrolment pressure, which the SEM Strategy will help Brock to address through institution-wide action.
In addition to revitalizing Brock's academic programming to align with market and student expectations, the document aims to expand access to higher education through defined, flexible pathways that help students enter and navigate the University successfully throughout their academic career.
"The SEM Strategy gives us a clearer roadmap for strengthening how students enter and move through Brock. By enhancing pathways and supporting the University's ongoing efforts to align and renew its academic offerings, we're helping students access programs that reflect their aspirations and the evolving needs of the world around them," says Geraldine Jones, Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment. "These improvements open the door to a wider range of learners and contribute to a more seamless, supported experience from first contact through to graduation."
Other focuses of the document include tactics for broadening domestic and international recruitment and strengthening Brock's marketing and reputational brand to better position the University in an increasingly competitive post-secondary landscape.
While the SEM Strategy provides a roadmap for the future, it was also designed to evolve and will be updated to reflect new insights, policy shifts and institutional learnings as it is implemented.
Read more about Brock's Strategic Enrolment Management Strategy online.
