Mary Baldwin University announces new strategic plan 'Elevate MBU'

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) – Mary Baldwin University has announced its strategic plan for the next five years, called Elevate MBU.

The plan was approved about a month ago and announced at the inauguration of MBU President Jeff Stein.

“This plan is designed … to elevate tomorrow’s diverse leaders through student-centered and career-oriented pathways that are deeply rooted in the essential skills of a liberal arts education,” Stein said.

Stein said this plan was built from the bottom up. This plan has three themes: Advance, Optimize and Connect.

“It’s a plan to create a better Mary Baldwin and how we can prepare students to meet the moment with skill and passion for communities around the world,” said Stein.

Stein said the plan was inspired by the voices and visions of students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators and the community.

“Hours and hours of listening and feedback sessions shared their ideas and suggestions about what the needs of students and families will be in the future (about) what the needs are of the workforce, the Commonwealth and the nation,” Stein said.

The strategic plan aims to position Mary Baldwin as a top choice for diverse talent by 2030 and “become a leading regional partner for healthcare education to advance the professional journeys of adults and online students,” Stein said.

This strategic plan aims to accelerate the study programs for students.

“A student can now come here for three years as an undergraduate and then spend two and a half years studying at Murphy-Deming College for Health Sciences in Fishersville and complete his PT or OT degree, so he or she can do it in five and a half years can do. (years) which used to take seven,” Stein said.

Students can complete similar programs to earn their degrees more quickly in fields such as education, social work and theater.

The official start of the strategic plan is in January 2025, but many of the initiatives have already started.