NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, Oct. 25, Xavier University of Louisiana President Reynold Verret publicly unveiled his 20/20 Vision for the university to statewide business and community leaders. Themed "Xavier Learns Forward," President Verret will embark upon a 15-month vision tour across the US to convey the university's strategic plan which will culminate in 2020, Xavier's 95th Anniversary. The announcement was made in a press release.
"We are inspired by our foundress, St. Katherine Drexel and her vision, ability, and commitment to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of her times," said president Verret. "The spirit of Xavier is excellence with a conscience, but the power of Xavier is our strength of community, and this tour will provide us with the opportunity to engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Xavier around the country to share our vision. My 20/20 vision was inspired by our beloved university that rises to meet the challenges of today while upholding our mission, and legacy for future Xavierites."
These are the eight key elements of President Verret's Vision 20/20 – Xavier Learns Forward:
- Sustain our mission and honor our African American traditions and Catholic values;
- Maintain academic rigor, standards of excellence, and outcomes;
- Promote an inclusive learning community that provides a safe and welcoming environment for all members;
- Elevate Xavier's reputation and recognition for providing its students with an exceptional academic curriculum;
- Contribute to equity and societal resilience in our region, especially by advancing high-quality pre-collegiate education for all;
- Build programmatic breadth in our undergraduate, graduate and professional schools;
- Grow enrollment through innovative recruitment;
- Sustain and support the environment of research and inquiry that addresses matters of import to the larger society, the Church, and the African diaspora.
During the tour, Verret will meet with business and civic leaders to outline Vision 20/20 as well as convey some of Xavier's new programs including its new Doctorate of Education and Neuroscience program, the first neuroscience offered by a Historically Black College in the country. Additionally, the university recently opened The Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit – the first of its kind. The Center will serve as an intellectual and physical convening place for research, teaching, community engagement, and debate on issues related to race-based inequities, social identity production, and power relations that are embedded in our intellectual programs and across academic disciplines.
"We will leverage our rich history, record of success, and uniqueness to challenge boundaries, engage traditional and new audiences, advance knowledge pursuits, and be leaders," added Verret. "We will not stand still in changing times and we will spread Xavier's mission throughout the US."
