COKER’S STRATEGIC PLAN: 2025-2028
Mastering Knowledge. Expanding Networks. Shaping Futures.
For more than a century, Coker University has transformed lives for many generations. In September 2025, Coker University formally launched its revised strategic plan to ensure that it continues to educate, innovate, and prepare future generations for the opportunities ahead.
With a strong strategic plan built on a commitment to mission, staff and faculty creativity, and care for our students, Coker is not simply drifting with the current – we are charting our own course and successfully rowing together. Because of that unity, we are beginning to thrive through increased enrollment, athletic success, record grant awards, and renovated student spaces.
We believe…
- That personalized learning for students prepares them for a successful future
- In providing excellent service to our people and students
- It is essential for every student to feel a sense of belonging and care at Coker University
- That leadership skill development is essential to preparing students for a continuously evolving workforce
Personalized Learning
- Develop a personalized learning plan that meets students where they are and maps a path to achieve their professional goals
- Design learning pathways that link individual needs to professional outcomes
- Engage with students as facilitators of learning and success coaches
- Engage all students in care teams to ensure they are successful in campus engagement, completing their programs of study, and gaining work experience
- Prepare students to gain professional skills that position them to have flexibility in the marketplace
- Promote leadership skill development as a key thread that runs through all learning pathways
- Engage key businesses in the design of professional programs and to serve as experts and mentors for students
Student Experiences
- Provide every student with a group connection to gain a sense of belonging and connectedness
- Provide every student with a mentor
- Provide every student with a workplace experience
- Integrate project-based learning opportunities in programs and certificates
- Engage students in extracurricular and engagement activities that support varying student interests and needs
- Enrich student life with state-of-the art facilities and grounds
Vibrant Professionalism
- Recruit professionals who believe and support the goals of the institution and engage in ways that advance Coker to the next level
- Engage in creative approaches to connect Coker professionals, industry professionals, and students to work on professional projects
- Enter into formalized partnership agreements to support a recruitment arm for new jobs or advancement of existing jobs
- Build and grow a comprehensive learning organization that offers ways for Coker professionals and students to share knowledge, experiences, and insights
- Hire leaders who believe and apply leadership practices that align to the Coker vision and strategic direction
- Use industry connections to maintain program relevance and identify potential growth opportunities
together, we are working towards
- Increasing top-tier partnerships that will strengthen our academic and community impact.
- Representation from the Pee Dee’s top employers on every school’s advisory committee, ensuring our programs stay connected to regional workforce needs.
- Increasing unrestricted net income, as part of our commitment to financial strength.
- Growing our incoming full-time undergraduate non-athlete population to diversify the student body and reinforcing our mission.
- Ensuring that 100% of Coker graduates have workplace experience, making career readiness a hallmark of a Coker education.
- Expanding opportunities so that 30% of undergraduates earn a non-degree credential, giving students additional skills to stand out in today’s market.
- Achieving an increase in alternative revenue, reinforcing the adaptability and sustainability of our model.