St. Cloud State University Strategic Plan
SWOT is an acronym for an organizations strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Completing a SWOT analysis provides insight into areas of focus during a strategic planning process.
Strengths
- Our people and their shared focus on student success
- A wide range of academic programs, many with national accreditation
- A diverse and vibrant student body and campus community
- A reputation as an international university and our strong international connections and partnerships
- Our Husky Compact that defines our shared educational values
- Strong and established partnerships within our community
Weaknesses
- Declining enrollment due to changing demographics, increased competition and some programs that lack clear career alignment
- Lower than expected student success outcomes, including student learning, retention and completion
- Lack of a brand and strategic marketing and communications strategy
- Organizational silos that make us slow to respond to internal needs and external opportunities
- Uneven engagement across students, campus and community – both within and across
- Inadequate resources for facilities, equipment and recruitment and retention of quality staff
Opportunities
- Growing public interest in educational value and transparent pricing
- Expanding non-traditional market, including baccalaureate completion in the Twin Cities
- Expanding partnerships and engagement opportunities within our communities
- Location on the river and along the growing I-94 corridor
Threats
- Regional and online competition for students
- Stagnant state investment in higher education
- Decreased family buying power and high rate of unmet financial need
- Higher education’s current role in society is less valued while expectations are rising
