The national conversation of HBCUs revolves its value proposition and relevance in an era of more opportunities for African Americans to attend predominantly white institutions. Morris Brown College is strategically positioning itself in the direction of developing sustainable resources that enable the achievement of the college’s mission by optimizing it financial profile, achieving institutional accreditation, improve Board effectiveness, creating a campus environment that supports intellectual inquiry and placing the college into a place of space and opportunity where the brand image of our academic enterprise represents a beacon of academic prosperity.

No longer are the traditional students, the “traditional student.” They now are working adults with jobs and family responsibilities and returning veterans. HBCUs will be impacted the greatest as opportunities for those students who traditionally attended HBCUs now have more choices and are often aggressively recruited by other types of institutions; they can offer greater financial packages and resources. Morris Brown College must  now strategically position itself in the marketplace to attract, recruit, and enroll, and retain students through a sound strategic enrollment management model. 

The type, number, mode of delivery, and quality of program offerings at  MBC was an essential strategic consideration in developing the strategic plan. MBC must strategically position itself to be nimble and agile in responses to the market; offering degree programs and other educational opportunities that students want and the industry needs. 

Our work is important to the Mission and Vision of the College, and all employees should be encouraged and provided with the tools and support they need to produce excellence. Students have a plethora of options; they choose to come to Morris Brown College. MBC will build a comprehensive workforce infrastructure by attracting, recruiting, hiring, and retaining quality staff, faculty, and instructional support staff who are recognized and celebrated for their contributions to the College and are valued as individuals. 

Going beyond access points and internet speed, institutions must extend the strategic conversation to virtual course delivery, online registration, financial aid, and student advising, qualified and skilled technology workforce to ensure that technology initiatives support the learning environment. An agile digital strategy to increase operational effectiveness, student access to college and improve the student learning experiences is a top priority of Morris Brown College. 

MBC’s campus footprint is a major strategic conversation with the Board of Trustees. Combined with real estate development, business development, and education/training/workforce development will help build a sustainable future for (a) the college in terms of the new academic programs and (b) the under served communities they reside in by providing employment. MBC will invest in coordinated strategic, long-term partnership with businesses to increase the persistence of undergraduate students toward degree attainment and preparing them for the 21st century workplace.