Hartford Business Journal

25 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | May 9, 2022 President Gregory Woodward has spearheaded the creation of a new five-year strategic plan for the University of Hartford. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Strategic Blueprint In wake of pandemic pains, declining enrollment, UHart's new strategic plan aims for financial stability, campus investment By Robert Storace rstorace@hartfordbusiness.com A bout a half-decade after taking the reins of the University of Hartford, including a few tumultuous years during the pandemic, President Gregory Woodward has a new strategic plan that aims to restore fiscal stability and significantly invest in the private college's campus with new buildings, residence halls, classes and programs. The road ahead won't be an easy one, especially as many colleges in Connecticut and nationwide look to recover financially from the pandemic and face pressures from declining enrollments and increasing costs. Nationwide, college enrollments this past fall were down 7.8% since 2019, according to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. UHart has seen its enrollment decline 9.9% since 2017. It now has about 5,924 students. Woodward said the school's strategic plan is unique because it's shorter term — five years, instead of the typical 10 in the higher-ed industry — and is a living, breathing document that can be tweaked as market conditions and circumstances change. It has six goals and 57 action items that touch on a range of topics from financial stability, boosting enrollment and future investment to diversity, equity and inclusion. "Industry and business have strategic plans that are usually three years tops. Why does higher education make their plan 10 years out; that's ridiculous," Woodward said. "We made a five-year plan that has 'now', 'soon', and 'later' items. Other plans seem to say 'Here is what we will do' and you never see the plan again until it's dusted off years later." Woodward said his vision is for UHart to continue to offer diverse learning experiences common to large universities, "but delivered in the context of a small institution." He said he sees UHart as a "comprehensive college," a collection of professional schools enhanced and supported by a strong liberal arts learning philosophy. Its competitors include local colleges like UConn, Quinnipiac University and the University of New Haven. "We offer small classes, high faculty- to-student ratios, flexibility, and a focus on personal relationships," Woodward said, adding the school's proximity to the Capital City provides students with expanded opportunities for connections and development. It's the third time the 67-year- old Woodward has worked on a university's strategic plan. He also helped develop ones for Carthage College in Wisconsin, where he served as president, and Ithaca College, when he was the school's provost. Financial stability COVID-19 wreaked havoc on many colleges, financially and otherwise. UHart lost about $30 million due to fallout from the pandemic, including having to refund students for room and board in the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, the number of students FOCUS: Higher Education University of Hartford tuition and fees 2016 –17 Year * The total cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board. Many students also qualify for financial aid. Source: University of Hartford Total cost of attendance* $49,780 2017–18 $51,256 2018–19 $53,170 2019–20 $55,150 2020–21 $56,760 2021–22 $58,238

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