At Webster University we consider the entire world our home. Ninety-four years ago, we welcomed our first class of five students.  Today, we have more than 21,000 students from 126 nations. Whether we are your neighbor, your alma mater, recipients of your generous financial support, your employer or connected to you in another way, we invite you to look at our plans for the future.  We are proud of our past accomplishments and highly inspired by what lies ahead. We hope you are, too. 

Webster University’s strategic plan, The 2020 Vision, is transformational.  It provides our great institution with a map that will lead us to continued success during the next decade. Implementation of The 2020 Vision began in 2008. While our path may be adjusted as domestic or international circumstances change, our destination will always be defined by our compelling mission–a charge that inspires all who have a connection to Webster University. 

Our Mission

Webster University, a worldwide institution, ensures high quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. 

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a premier U.S.-based international university setting a distinct standard for global education.

This vision is built on a foundation of excellence in teaching and is enhanced by an international perspective that fosters dialogue, respect and understanding across boundaries and between cultures.  The educational endeavors in support of this vision meet the needs of and enrich a diverse global mix of learners within an ever-increasing network of students who desire a U.S. education.  The University is committed to offering these students a distinct personal experience and building the resources required to achieve this vision.  The actions of the institution are shaped by our core values.

Our Core Values

At Webster University we value…

Students

By sustaining a personalized approach to education through small classes, close relationships with faculty and staff, and attention to student life.

Learning

By developing educational programs that join theory and practice, provide an international perspective, encourage creativity and scholarship, and foster a lifelong desire to learn and actively serve communities and the world.

Diversity

By creating an accessible environment for individuals of diverse cultures, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds and instilling in students a respect for diversity and an understanding of their own and others values.

Global Citizenship

By educating a diverse population locally, nationally, and internationally, acting responsibly toward the environment to foster a sustainable future, and strengthening the communities we serve.

Our Six Goals

The 20/20 Vision plan supports six university-wide goals, which are based on the academic objectives of the university’s five schools and colleges as well as all other university departments.  Now in its second year of implementation, Webster University continues to commit people and resources toward achieving its six strategic goals. The University has made significant progress in achieving annual benchmarks through the accomplishments of its students, faculty and staff.  Our goals keep our standards high and our successes plentiful.  



Goal #1 Set the Standard for Global Education

Webster University is a premier U.S.-based university setting a standard for global education by fostering dialogue, respect and understanding across boundaries and between peoples.

Strategies focused on in 08-09 for this goal included continuation of the Global Staff Exchange program, strengthening the Study Abroad Affiliate Program and increasing cooperative programs with our partner institution, Regent’s College, in London.  Additionally, the university encouraged members of the Board of Trustees to participate in Webster University’s international network.  The university also expanded its partner institution initiatives in China and developed a graduate degree program for expatriates in Beijing.

08-09 Accomplishments:  In Geneva, 750 people, including 12 trustees, celebrated the campus’ 30th anniversary. The Global MBA program was launched in the School of Business and Technology and feedback from the first graduating class indicated highly favorable outcomes.  The College of Arts & Sciences’ Global MA in International Relations program, now in it’s fourth year, continued to grow and achieve strong academic outcomes.  In 2007, when the University was selected as the only Confucius Institute location in Missouri, it was decided the CI would be housed at the Old Post Office, the university’s campus in downtown St. Louis. In 08-09, Chinese visiting lecturers began offering Chinese language programs and other cultural classes. The CI has become a valued asset in the St. Louis metropolitan area, adding significantly to the revitalization of the city’s downtown core. Another strategy initiated in support of Goal #1 was the expansion of the University’s international network of campuses. A discovery phase conducted in Cyprus yielded favorable results and the site will continue to be considered for a Webster University international campus.  Preliminary examination of sites in India proved unfavorable, but will be re-considered in the future.

Goal #2  Advance Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Webster University will excel in teaching and learning; and will utilize continuous quality improvement to achieve excellence outcomes for students, faculty and academic services.

Strategies focused on during 08-09 for this goal included implementation of technology systems that would enable the university to enhance the measurement of academic outcomes for both internal and external review.  The university also sought accreditation for various programs and international campuses.

08-09 Accomplishments: The School of Business and Technology received accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. At the Leiden campus, the Dutch Ministry of Education granted accreditation to Webster University as an approved institute of higher education under Dutch law. Also in support of Goal #2, 40 training sessions for adjunct faculty in the use of web-enhanced course tools (Blackboard) were conducted.

Goal #3 Extend Our Tradition of Fulfilling Unmet Needs

Webster University will extend its tradition of changing lives and meeting unmet needs by providing our unique offering of American-style education to a greater number of students.

The 08-09 strategies focused on for this goal were the increase freshman enrollments in St. Louis, the growth of online enrollments worldwide and the development of additional undergraduate online course offerings.

08-09 Accomplishments: The University’s online programs continued to experience robust growth.  Online credit hour goals were exceeded and new programs were planned for undergraduate degree completion.  Freshman enrollments fell below the projected goal of 516 students. 

Goal #4  Place Students First

Webster University will focus on student needs and concerns.  All students, whether undergraduate, graduate, traditional-age or non-traditional age will receive a distinct personal experience.  A concerted effort will be made to instill alumni with a strong institutional affinity, pride and a lifelong connection to the University.

During 08-09, the university focused on creating new living and learning centers in Webster-Geneva and Webster-Leiden. 

08-09 Accomplishments: The University leased buildings from local developers in Leiden and Geneva.  The buildings in both locations will be ready for occupancy during 09-10. 

Goal #5  Enhance Our Reputation

The Webster University institutional brand is established and recognized, contributing to long-term academic quality, financial stability, increased enrollments and organizational health.

During 08-09, Goal 5 strategies being addressed included increased placements of stories focused on Webster University students, faculty, programs and administrators in major media, hiring a senior media relations professional and cultivating/building professional relationships with key media contacts.

08-09 Accomplishments: A senior media relations professional was recruited and hired in the Office of Public Affairs and all media placement goals have been exceeded in print, broadcast, online and digital media outlets. Placements also included international media.

Goal #6 Utilize Resources to Achieve Strategic Goals

Webster University will maintain a high level of financial wellness comparable to its benchmarked peers to insure long-term viability. The University will continue to build upon its reputation of good stewardship of resources and build equity through an effective allocation strategy, which invests in our human, facilities, technological, and fiscal resources.

The strategies focused on in 08-09 included investing in human resources so our adjunct faculty compensation and status ranking would be competitive with national standards.  The university also planned to increase datacenter resources, create new online credit card processing systems, revise the university’s master plan and zoning issues, increase office space, renovate Maria Hall and the Visual Art Studio, prepare for building new academic buildings and to acquire land for possible future expansion of the Webster Groves campus.

08-09 Accomplishments:  The University increased adjunct salaries, created a ranking system for adjunct titles, and invested in the upgrading of technological infrastructure.  On a broader scale, the University’s master plan was reviewed and updated so future campus development in St. Louis would be compliant with zoning issues.  Demolition in Loretto Hall was completed as a precursor to future space requirements for university offices. The Old Orchard Shopping Center was purchased and the remodeling of Maria Hall and the Visual Art Studios was completed.

The 20/20 Vision Strategic Plan continues to chart the course Webster University will follow into the future.  We are pleased with the progress we achieved during the first year of implementing this 10-year plan. Careful planning, hard work and well-defined methodologies have provided strong leadership for everyone involved in the transformation of this great university.  

Have a comment?  Please send an email to luebbekl@webster.edu or write to Dr. Karen Luebbert, Webster University, 470 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63119.