University of St. Francis
Strategic Plan: “Integrity 2030”

Vision

We commit to being the region’s premier higher education destination, delivering a distinctive, transformative, Catholic and Franciscan education that provides a clear return on investment for our learners.

Timeframe

Due to a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, and the opportunity for the University of St. Francis to build on its strengths with clarity and intention, Integrity 2030 will focus on providing a 3-year strategic roadmap to help us achieve our goals.

Key Dates

  • August 17, 2026
    Announcement and Plan Launch on Opening Day
  • August 26, 2026 
    Steering Committee Reviews Mandate
  • November 18
    Reports Due to Strategic Planning Groups
  • December 11, 2026
    Campus Feedback Due
  • February 12, 2027
    Presentation to the Board of Trustees

Steering Committee Mandate

The steering committee will shape the discussion, goals, key topics, analysis and metrics, providing guidance to the strategic planning groups. The steering committee, in collaboration with the strategic planning groups, will provide recommendations in a report to the campus community and the President. Recommendations will be shaped by clear and measurable outcomes, with the reporting of data at defined intervals upon implementation in the years to follow. Each of the steering committee members will also serve on one of the four strategic planning groups.

Integrity 2030 emphasizes practical action, measurable outcomes, and tangible evidence of progress, all grounded in the University’s resources and long-term sustainability.

Integrity 2030 Steering Committee

  • Beth McDermott, Provost
    Steering Committee Chair
  • Leia Levy, Academic Assembly Chair
    Steering Committee Co-Vice Chair
  • Annette Jelinek, Administrator & Staff Council Chair
    Steering Committee Co-Vice Chair
  • Terry Cottrell
  • Kristin DeBoer
  • Marlon Jones
  • Michael Poradek
  • Richard Vaughan
  • Jeanne Washburn

Strategic Planning Groups

Under the Steering Committee’s leadership, four strategic planning groups will examine key issues impacting higher education and the University of St. Francis. There will be areas of crossover given the multi-faceted nature of the university’s mission. These four action-oriented planning areas are Grow, Collaborate, Renew and Rebuild.

Group 1: “Grow”

This planning group focuses mostly on steps necessary for increasing enrollment growth, with a strong focus on the growth and/or the creation of academic programs that have career outcomes. Where possible, this group may also make recommendations related to new programs and new pathways built upon existing programs, as well as efficient approval procedures that allow the university to be flexible and amenable to change. Special emphasis will be devoted to enrollment growth strategies in Nursing and any health-related fields, interdisciplinary academic partnerships, curriculum efficiencies and increasing the prospects for double-majors.


Grow Group Members
Beth McDermott (chair)
Kristin DeBoer
Faith Haley
Leia Levy
Jes Monu
Dan Schwert
Yeijin Yeom

Group 2: “Collaborate”

This planning group examines where the University can strengthen existing and foster new partnerships with the City of Joliet, Will County, local businesses, educational partners and school districts, park districts and community organizations, and especially hospitals and health care facilities. The goal is to increase the university’s relevance and enhance our profile and
community impact.


Collaborate Group Members
Richard Vaughan (chair)
Terry Cottrell
Dave DiLorenzo
Annette Jelinek
Amy Mihelich
Sara Mulka
Pete Sullivan

Group 3: “Rebuild”

This planning group focuses on increasing revenue and our base of support at the University of St. Francis, which includes specific goals related to alumni engagement, enhanced financial giving, and actionable and realistic steps for additional revenue generation and cost savings recommendations.


Rebuild Group Members
Jeanne Washburn (chair)
Shannon Brown
Erika Guzman
Christina Kuzava
Sebastian Mireles
Jodi Schager
David Veenstra
Ben Whitlock

Group 4: “Renew”

This planning group examines how our Catholic and Franciscan values are present for our current campus community, and how they will evolve over the next three years. How do our student affairs activities support an increasingly diverse student body and create an inclusive and welcoming environment that, together with academics, athletics, and other student-facing initiatives, promotes retention and high graduation rates and respect for cultural traditions that enhance learning? The Renew group will also examine how generative AI will impact our university over the next three years, which may be through operational actions and/or curricular revisions.


Renew Group Members
Michael Poradek (chair)
Brigitte Bell
Katie Chamberlain
Deborah Glenn
Marlon Jones
Carol Lindee