To plan Saint Louis University’s (SLU) direction for the next five years and to ensure that the different clusters and units contribute to the holistic programs that serve the vision for “SLU 2032: Transforming Persons, Transforming Communities”, the Louisian teaching and non-teaching personnel collaborated for the University-Wide Strategic Planning for 2027-2032 on 27 October 2026, with the opening plenary at Prince Bernhard Gym, SLU Main Campus.
In setting the day’s direction and agenda, Institutional Development & Quality Assurance (OIDQA) Director, Hector L. Martin, PhD gave his opening message, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in shaping the university’s future. He also underscored that the planning is an “opportunity to reflect on who we are as a university, what we hope to become, and how we got better. The strategic plan we are developing is not simply a document prepared for the university – it is a plan that must be understood and carried forward by the entire university.”
This was followed by the welcome remarks of University President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD. “Mission and excellence belong together; one without the other is incomplete. A mirror shows us only ourselves. A window lets us see and serve the world beyond us. In the next five years, our education must open outward: to the futures of our students, to our communities, and to the needs of our society and our Church. Each plan builds on the one before it, and this morning you will hear how far that journey has taken us…A plan that the whole community helps to shape is a plan the whole community can own,” Fr. Gilbert said.
In this light, he underscored the Strategic Goals that serve the vision for SLU 2032: Transforming Persons, Transforming Communities. In closing he invited everyone “to enter today’s sessions with commitment and with hope” and further encouraged, “Let us plan not only for a better university, but for a university that makes persons and communities better: a university of mission and excellence, whose education is driven by purpose.”
The session proceeded with the impact assessment of the implementation of the University’s 2022–2027 Strategic Goals over the past four years, delivered by Geraldine Wakat, PhD, former OIDQA Vice Chair of the Strategic and Institutional Development Committee.
An exploration of previous strategic planning sessions was presented by the Chair of Institutional Planning and Development and Vice President for Finance Roberto M. Arguelles, PhD, beginning with the Journey From Leadership and Mission (2017-2022), where the foundation for the key planning and strategies began; to the Innovation Roadmap (2022-2027), where plans were shifted back in light of unforeseen challenges of the pandemic. Taking the insights from the previous strategic planning sessions, he set the tone for the development of “Mission et Excellentia: Transforming Mirrors into Windows Through Purpose-Driven Education (2027-2032).”
“The journey now shifts from strategic direction-setting to action. It is a shared commitment to advancing SLU’s mission, achieving excellence, and creating a lasting impact on the Church and society,” Dr. Arguelles emphasized.
Afterwards, OIDQA Co-chair of Institutional Planning and Development Kasima Rose Mendoza presented the key strategic goals and key result areas for 2027-2032, including how these were developed. These KRAs drive effective governance, responsible stewardship, collaborative research, while providing a holistic approach to student development. “Together, these KRAs aim to ensure that our institution remains financially sustainable, well-governed, future-ready, and committed to institutional excellence.” she said.
The breakaway sessions commenced after the plenary sessions which were conducted by different clusters (President, Mission & Identity, Academic, Administration, and Finance) and succeeded by unit-level planning activities to establish a common direction and ensure that the unit and cluster activities are aligned with the university’s strategic goals.
The University-Wide Strategic Planning for 2027-2032 highlights SLU’s commitment to continuous institutional growth, not only in its quality of services, but more so for the development of holistic quality education rooted in Missio et Excellentia.
The planning session affirmed United Nations Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, through continual improvement in education, and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, for forethought and action in continued self-improvement of faculty and staff. (Article by Roberto Romano, UIO Intern | Photos by Christianne Angel Payang, UIO Intern)
