Flourishing for Student Success
Together, we’re advancing a shared commitment to care, curiosity, community, and purpose.
Our strategic plan, Flourishing for Student Success, charts a bold path toward developing transformative learning experiences, intentional resources and services, and an inclusive campus culture where every student can thrive.
Grounded in Trinity University’s strategic plan, Ready. Set. Rise., this plan aligns our division’s work with institutional priorities as we strengthen partnerships across campus and in our community.
Student learning and development
These are guiding principles that drive the Division’s work and frame student learning and development that reflect evidence-based best practices and provide structure to the array of our programs, services, and policies.
Becoming
We support students’ journeys holistically, in mind, body, and spirit, empowering them to reflect, grow, and understand their place in the world by embracing change along the way.
Culture of Care
We recognize and honor the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and strive to build a welcoming environment grounded in belonging, compassion, and mutual respect, where students engage in meaningful dialogue and grow through connection and understanding.
Social Responsibility
We empower students to lead with integrity and serve others through civic engagement and ethical action. By developing cultural humility and critical awareness of social systems, students become thoughtful leaders and impact positive change in their communities and beyond.
Collaborative Engagement
We value peer connection, shared learning, and strong partnerships across campus, in San Antonio, and around the world working together with intention to support student development and community well-being.
Readiness
We prepare students, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and practically, for the transitions, challenges, and opportunities they will encounter during and beyond college, equipping them to thrive in a complex and evolving world.
Strategic Priorities
The Strategic Priorities advance the mission of Trinity University and focus the current and future work of the Division of Student Affairs.
Advancing health, safety, and well-being
We foster an environment where students can thrive academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. This includes expanding coordinated care, providing opportunities for students to build skills to navigate challenges and succeed in complex environments, and enhancing holistic wellbeing programs rooted in equity and belonging
Selected Objectives:
- Strengthen integrated support pathways across campus
- Expand proactive and prevention-based wellbeing services
- Create a framework for student leadership development focused on cultivating character-driven leaders
Creating a culture of inclusion to lead and engage with purpose
We cultivate vibrant residential, co-curricular, and community spaces where all students feel welcomed, seen, and supported. This includes enhancing programs related to personal and professional growth, reimagining traditions, and creating student leadership pathways that foster dialogue, engagement, and a sense of belonging.
Selected Objectives:
- Enhance traditions that celebrate and reflect our diverse community and build sense of belonging
- Provide opportunities for students to learn, practice, and apply skills to engage in dialogue across difference
- Expand programs in which students develop and articulate personal belief systems and explore issues of purpose, meaning, and values
Cultivate and develop staff
Strengthen infrastructure that supports staff recruitment, onboarding, retention, and effective use of human resources in alignment with organizational needs and institutional resources. Advance professional excellence and commit to employee development via training, professional development templates, and alignment with ACPA/NASPA competencies.
Selected Objectives:
- Build resources and simplify processes that support recruitment and onboarding efforts
- Advance professional excellence through recurring staff development opportunities that highlight internal and external expertise
- Commit to employee development at an individual level with professional development plan templates and recurring conversations with supervisors
Enhance partnerships that support success
Build partnerships with on- and off-campus partners to support diverse student experiences and promote holistic support systems. Consider the role(s) of alumni and community partners in experiential learning, mentorship, student development, and campus traditions.
Selected Objectives:
- Expand experiential learning and social opportunities within the San Antonio community
- Enhance partnerships with faculty, Institutional Research and Effectiveness, and Athletics to align curricular and co-curricular experiences
- Ensure existing campus traditions align with the University’s strategic plan and collaboratively envision new traditions that build joy and spirit
Tell our story
Build and practice storytelling skills to more clearly illustrate the Student Affairs’ impact on the student experience. Develop shared language and data-informed insights to communicate that impact. Utilize existing partnerships to support this work.
Selected Objectives:
- Partner with Strategic Communications & Marketing to support internal/external communications
- Provide a professional development opportunity for staff to tell the story of the work that happens within the Division
- Engage parents and family members through strengthened communication, educational opportunities, and fun
The Process
From discovery and stakeholder engagement, to analysis and priority setting, to drafting and refinement, the strategic planning process spanned approximately one academic year.
Scope and Timeline
Fall 2023
- Trinity University Strategic Plan, Ready. Set. Rise. | Initial Planning and Strategy
Fall 2024
- Trinity University Strategic Plan, Ready. Set. Rise. | Revealed
- Student Affairs Strategic Plan, Flourishing for Student Success | Initial Planning and Strategy
Spring 2025
- Trinity University Strategic Plan, Ready. Set. Rise. | Launched
- Student Affairs Strategic Plan, Flourishing for Student Success | Data Collection and Analysis
Summer 2025
- Student Affairs Strategic Plan, Flourishing for Student Success | Plan Development and Completion
- August 2025 - It's Go Time! | Launch of Plan
Data Gathering
The data gathering process captured myriad and diverse perspectives to inform decision-making.
Department Conversations
- 6 departments
- All employees
Listening Sessions
- 70 students, faculty, staff
- 11 sessions
Campus-Wide Survey Review
- 4 instruments
- High-level takeaways
Training and Education
- Focus group training
- Qualitative analysis