Saint Mary's University has launched its latest strategic plan, "World Without Limits," setting a transformative vision for the next five years. The plan builds on the university's strengths in student experience and in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility while fostering community engagement and faculty and staff success.
Vision for the future
The strategic plan outlines five key priorities that will guide the university's efforts:
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Discovery and Learning with Purpose: Saint Mary's commits to fostering a vibrant culture of research, teaching and learning that reflects our core values.
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Healthy and Successful Community: Saint Mary's will create a community that is accessible and inspiring, providing support and strengthening the university experience for students, faculty and staff.
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Sustainability: The university is committed to long-term fiscal sustainability through careful and strategic management of institutional resources, while embracing environmental sustainability in the design of buildings and shared spaces.
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility: The university will promote a safe and welcoming place of learning, working and belonging that is equitable, inclusive and accessible for Black and Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and other equity-deserving groups.
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Community Relationships and Philanthropy: Saint Mary's will enhance relationships with alumni, donors, government and other community partners.
Reflecting on the plan, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray said, "Saint Mary's occupies a unique position in Canada; our students and our alumni know this. We stand out by providing an exceptional student experience full of opportunity, while providing a warm and supportive environment. We will build on our distinction and grow our strengths by acting on this strategic plan."
A commitment to community
Saint Mary's University has a long-standing tradition of community engagement. The new strategic plan reinforces this commitment by promoting initiatives that benefit both the local and global communities. From collaborative research projects to a fundraising campaign to community service programs, the university aims to make a positive impact beyond its campus.
Development of the strategic plan began in 2021 and involved 730 individuals who took the opportunity to provide input through 60 workshops and five focus groups.
The strategic plan was endorsed by Senate and approved by the Board of Governors and is now being shared with the broader community and all of SMU's stakeholders.
As Saint Mary's University embarks on this new chapter, the strategic plan serves as a roadmap for the future. By prioritizing people and sustainability while seeking to make a positive impact in the greater community, the university is poised to achieve its vision and build on its position as one of Canada's best primarily undergraduate universities.
