Strategic Plan, Elevate '28, Objectives and Goals

Strategic Priority: Student Success   

Objective 1: Accelerate fundraising to support the University’s mission of providing a flexible, affordable education.

• Goal 1: Increase total dollars raised for student support (including scholarships, financial aid, books, lab kits, technology) to $1M annually by June 2027.

Objective 2: Leverage the power of an engaged alumni network to benefit students, alumni, and the university.

• Goal 1: Increase alumni participation in Refer-A-Student outreach efforts by 10% per year by June 2028.  
• Goal 2: Increase alumni referrals to Career Services by 10% per year beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Objective 3: Increase participation and satisfaction levels of students at our commencement ceremonies.

• Goal 1: Increase student satisfaction with commencement webpages by 2% by the conclusion of the plan.
• Goal 2: Maintain student satisfaction with student line-up at 85% throughout the life of the plan.
• Goal 3: Maintain student satisfaction with the student regalia experience at 91% throughout the life of the plan.
• Goal 4: Increase spring commencement registrations relative to invited students to 35% by plan end.

Strategic Priority: Academic and Inclusive Excellence

Objective 1: Increase funding for Empire State University’s academic and inclusive enterprise from all external sources, including private and corporate foundations, corporations, and individuals.

• Goal 1: Increase the total dollar value of proposals submitted to all sources in support of the academic and inclusive enterprise to $12M in total by June 2028.
• Goal 2: Submit four proposals annually at $500K or above as part of total proposal submissions by June 2028.
• Goal 3: Elevate the impact of the Corporate and Foundation Relations program by raising $2M in total commitments from corporations and foundations in support of Empire leadership and faculty-driven initiatives by June 2028.

Objective 2: Strengthen the visibility of Empire State University’s commitment to an inclusive welcoming environment for all.

• Goal 1: Ensure that at least 40% of the stories featured on SUNY Empire News each year through 2028 reflect and promote opportunities for accessibility and belonging for all members of our community.

Objective 3: Increase visibility of academic excellence at the university.

• Goal 1: Increase media mentions showcasing the university’s faculty and academic expertise by 20% each year through 2028.

Strategic Priority: Organizational Effectiveness 

Objective 1: Develop a high-performing, metrics-driven Advancement team that is prepared to meet the fundraising and alumni engagement needs of SUNY Empire’s Elevate ’28 Strategic Plan.

• Goal 1: By June 30, 2028, achieve $8M in fundraising revenue from all sources.
• Goal 2: Increase donor retention rate to 56% by the conclusion of the plan.
• Goal 3: Increase total number of donors by 30% (792 to 1,030) by the end of FY2027-2028.

Objective 2: Improve employee engagement with internal communication.

• Goal 1: Achieve a 45% open rate of the university’s weekly e-newsletter by the end of calendar year 2026, increasing to 50% by 2027, and maintaining or exceeding 50% through 2028.
• Goal 2: Improve click-through rates of the university’s weekly e-newsletter by 5% annually through the end of the plan.

Objective 3: Improve internal communication to ensure that internal audiences have consistent access to information.

• Goal 1: Achieve 95% adherence to the cabinet monthly message calendar annually for the duration of the plan.

Strategic Priority: Raising our Public Profile 

Objective 1: Support the work of Empire State University by raising funds and awareness for projects and initiatives identified in the strategic plan.

• Goal 1: Beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year, identify two strategically aligned major gift opportunities annually through Foundation Board member connections. 

Objective 2: Elevate the profile of Empire State University by promoting a legacy of achievements and contributions of our 100,000 alumni worldwide.

• Goal 1: Host one significant presentation or multi-part series featuring Empire alumni annually, beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Objective 3: Increase our visibility and presence as a community partner, with particular focus on the greater Capital Region.

• Goal 1: Beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year, the president or her designee will attend at least ten strategically significant community events annually in the Capital Region.
• Goal 2: Beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year, university representatives will attend at least ten events annually not included in Goal 1 to strategically raise our visibility.

Objective 4: Increase awareness of Empire State University’s brand.

• Goal 1: Achieve a 25% higher pitch rate for strategic, targeted media outreach annually through 2028.
• Goal 2: Increase the total potential media reach of the university’s communications by 10% annually through 2028.

Objective 5: Raise the profile of President Vollendorf in public higher education.

• Goal 1: Increase the president’s LinkedIn followers by 10% each year over the duration of the plan.
• Goal 2: In collaboration with the Office for Advancement and the deputy chief of staff, secure four public speaking opportunities for President Vollendorf per year through 2028.
• Goal 3: Promote at least four thought leadership articles or opinion pieces authored by President Vollendorf annually through 2028.
• Goal 4: Secure six podcast opportunities for the president each academic year that raise the university’s public profile among relevant audiences.