For over 130 years, Viterbo University has been shaped by the institution’s distinctive Catholic, Franciscan identity and the legacy of its founding Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Viterbo is dedicated to sustaining and advancing the FSPA’s historical focus on meeting societal needs through education and service, as expressed in the current mission and identity statements. Viterbo’s core values articulate a uniquely Franciscan context for the university’s culture, academic programs, student experience, decision-making, and planning. The vision statement, which was adopted as part of Strategic Plan 2020, integrates Viterbo’s history, identity, mission, values, and educational framework into a cohesive, future-oriented whole.

Viterbo University has a strong legacy of participatory strategic planning toward mission fulfillment. Strategic Plan 2020 was developed through broad campus involvement as an action-oriented plan aligned with ten high-level metrics. This plan led to significant accomplishments in academic programs, the Core Curriculum, DEI, student success, partnerships, and employee engagement. Viterbo's Strategic Plan 2027—RISE builds upon and extends the 2020 plan by integrating the five pillars of President Trietley’s Vision 2027 with the four conceptual themes of the Strategic Plan 2020. Through the RISE Goals and Priorities, the Viterbo community will engage in collective action to strengthen the university’s resource base, foster an inclusion campus culture, increase student enrollment and success, and become the regional higher education employer of choice. As Viterbo continues to anticipate and adapt to the dynamic higher education environment, the institution remains firmly committed to its foundational Catholic, Franciscan identity and its mission of preparing students for “faithful service and ethical leadership,” now and well into the future.

For a summary of the strategic plan, visit RISE One-Page Overview. Members of the Viterbo community can also explore the RISE SharePoint site (employee login required) or contact the Steering Committee.

Timothy Schorr, co-chair
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness
tbschorr@viterbo.edu
608-796-3774
Murphy Center 223

Naomi Stennes-Spidahl, co-chair
Director, Assessment and Institutional Research
nrstennesspidahl@viterbo.edu
608-796-3481
Murphy Center 503