Bryant's Strategic Plan (old version)

Bryant’s business, and broader, curriculum has evolved with economic and societal and educational pedagogical changes over the last 160 years and will continuously do so, yet the hallmark of a Bryant education has remained firm. It has been, and will continue to be, to provide an education than can be purposely applied in the real world and lead to superior student experience and outcomes and to strong purpose-driven contributions by students, alumni, and our university.

While focused on business and professional/career education, the integration of the liberal arts into the curriculum has played large role in the success of the institution and its graduates. A Bryant course catalog in the 1930s described "A Liberal Business Education." In addition to such traditional business courses as accounting, finance, marketing, and management, students could also choose to take psychology, English, economics, public speaking, and personality development." The catalog stated, "It is a college education as thorough and scholarly as that afforded by the older-type classical college in its field, but the curriculum is especially planned to satisfy the practical and exacting demands of business."

This tradition continues at Bryant, as all business majors, must pursue a minor in the arts & sciences, and all arts & sciences majors minor in a business field.  This ensures that all Bryant graduates have, at least, a minor with a business focus and that all business majors graduate with broader perspective gained from in-depth knowledge of a field in the arts & sciences.    

With Vision 2030, Bryant University will move to a deserved position of stronger regional and national recognition and ranking.  The Vision 2030 Strategic Plan keeps the institution agile, innovative and student-focused with a top 1% return on investment for education and further positions the university to take the next step forward delivering transformative educational experiences that prepares individuals to become purpose-driven leaders capable of achieving success on a global scale. 

In keeping with its commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in education and ensuring real-world readiness of graduates, Bryant’s Vision 2030 brings to focus new initiatives of strategic importance. The initiatives include deepened data and data analytics preparation across the curriculum, a new focus on education at the intersection of health and business, and an enhanced focus on experiential learning.

Recognizing Data’s Impact on the Future

We are living in an age of increasingly big data and computing power acceleration that continuously transforms business, and virtually all societal, practices. Technological innovation has unleashed the power of data to make predictions and transformed decision-making and organizational practices and possibilities in ways that did not seem possible a short time ago. 

To succeed and contribute with purpose, our students must be prepared to understand how data and advanced data analytics enabled by technological advances can shape our lives and organizations for the better, as well as how it can create harm. They must be equipped to understand how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies are reshaping the way organizations operate and how decisions are made. They must know how to leverage technology, analyze data, and critically evaluate information to come to meaningful conclusions and make strategic decisions that improve organizational performance and people’s lives.

We are committed to equipping and motivating our students to make better decisions by harnessing the power of data, analytics, and technology. And we want our students to exercise sound judgment guided by their purpose, ethical principles, and values and not simply rely on algorithms and machines to make decisions.

Expanding Curriculum to Bridge Healthcare Gap

Next, with healthcare demand and the healthcare sector rapidly changing and growing (now representing over one-quarter of the economy), Bryant has moved to meet the need for skilled professionals with strong career preparation and broad perspective. In 2022, the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences was established to meet the increasing demand for healthcare experts with strong business acumen and provide professionals in healthcare fields with the business, data and technical skills necessary to succeed in their careers and contribute to their organizations and more broadly.

Emphasizing Valuable Experiential Education Opportunities

Thirdly, with the rapid changes in the economy and in business and organizational practice, there is increased value and reasons for enhancing an already strong base of experiential learning at Bryant, which includes leadership and teamwork training and experiences that come with Division I athletics.  The advancement of learning with real-world significance and application will take place with structured and purposeful scaffolded learning experiences for all students. Bryant’s integrated curriculum will be further infused with real-world applications and experiential education opportunities to give students an unprecedented path to reach their full potential and achieve success in their lives and chosen professional fields.  

The current economy and rampant technology and societal changes have given greater relevance and importance to the education that is of the essence of Bryant University and Vision 2030 ensures continued outstanding outcomes for our graduates and for our university.

Bryant’s Vision 2030 strategic plan reaffirms the University’s mission to: 

Educate and inspire students to discover their passion and become innovative leaders with character around the world

Vision 2030 Strategic Plan sets a bold vision to position Bryant to be:

Nationally Recognized for Transformational Learning Experiences, Exceptional Outcomes, and for Developing Passionate Purpose-driven Leaders

Vision 2030 capitalizes on Bryant’s leading business programs, new emphasis on health and behavioral sciences, unique interdisciplinary curriculum, vibrant student life, and premier Division I athletics to attain the next level of accomplishment and recognition and deliver a top 1 percent return on education investment. 

Pillar 1

Support and enhance Bryant’s dynamic Academic Excellence Ecosystem in which innovative teaching and learning are woven throughout a learner’s journey. At the heart of this ecosystem is:

• A commitment to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in a data-rich 21st century and beyond.
• The development of new distinguished, differentiated and interdisciplinary academic programs that combine the fields of business, the arts and sciences, and health and behavior;
• Transformative and lifelong experiential learning opportunities that leverage the university’s alumni network, strategic corporate partnerships, and caring and supportive community to expand Bryant’s experience beyond our campus and into the world.  

Pillar 2

Reimagine and reinvent the college campus to build a unique learning environment and sense of community and belonging through the integration of innovative programming and top-tier facilities that:

• Create learning hubs and labs that inspire and foster creativity, curiosity, and entrepreneurial minds and support the development of brand identity and visibility for our Colleges, School, and Centers;
• Provide opportunities for personal growth, socialization, and extracurricular activities and an outstanding student life experience that caters to students' diverse interests and needs;
• Build excellence in college athletics by providing student-athletes with best-in-class facilities and offering opportunities to showcase their skills and represent the university on a national level.

Pillar 3

Reaffirms and reinforces Bryant’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and maintains a commitment to open dialogue and hearing from and learning from different perspectives by:

• Implementing initiatives aimed at creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.
• Enhancing a sense of belonging for all community members, the university is committed to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares all learners to thrive in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
• upholding and promoting free expression and open discourse.

Pillar 4

Enable economic mobility to Bryant’s exceptional education to talented Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, and student-athletes whose ambition and ability exceed their financial resources. Vision 2030 leverages and raises resources to support these students and empower them to be part of the next generation of passionate purpose-driven Bulldogs

Bryant’s Vision 2030 Strategic Plan is the culmination of two years of listening and engagement in broad conversations across the Bryant community to guide the vision for the university’s future. The implementation of our strategic plan aligns strategic priorities with financial resources to build on the momentum towards transformation and will be guided by:

• Impact on student outcomes and return on investment: The plan prioritizes initiatives based on their potential to enhance the value of a Bryant education, with a focus on job placement, earnings, graduation rates, and socio-economic impact.
• Resources and capacity: Bryant’s education value is as strong as its people and community. The university is committed to investing to attract and retain highly talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students to enhance learning, student, and community experiences, and prepare the next generation of leaders.
• Financial sustainability: to generate increased organizational strength and financial resilience through the diversification of revenue streams
• Dynamic strategy: Bryant's plan will be continuously evaluated and updated based on data and analysis to account for changing conditions, opportunities, and challenges and ensure institutional high performance.