Successful completion of a $30 million fundraising initiative one year ahead of schedule and the largest single gift in Stevens’ history are highlights of development achievements in Year 1. A newly-reorganized communications and marketing function, headed by a Cabinet-level Vice President of Communications and Marketing, has laid the foundation for significant future impact.
Goal E1
The President’s Initiative for Excellence will be successfully completed, raising at least $30 million.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN
The President’s Initiative for Excellence surpassed its $30 million goal one full year ahead of schedule. Total gifts and pledges in FY13 were $26.3 million, a 91 percent increase over the prior year. Alumnus Greg Gianforte ’83 donated the largest single gift in Stevens history, $10 million, toward a new Academic Gateway Complex.
Year 2: Transition to planning for a major capital campaign.
Goal E2
A philanthropy target of $70 million will be achieved in order to support key initiatives in the first five years of the strategic plan; an additional $100 million will be raised during the balance of its implementation.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN
A feasibility study has been completed and planning for a major capital campaign is underway. The leadership phase of the capital campaign has been launched with a target of $70 million, of which $25 million has been raised to date.
Year 2: Continue planning for and implementing the leadership phase of capital campaign.
Goal E3
The undergraduate giving rate will increase from a 2011 baseline of 18 percent to at least 23 percent by 2017 and 26 percent by 2022.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN
The undergraduate giving rate has declined slightly from FY12. An experienced annual fund director has been appointed and the volunteer roles within the Stevens Alumni Association have been expanded. The implementation of a new fundraising CRM system, Raiser’s Edge, has made an impact in its early stages.
Goal E4
We will achieve a 10-year growth in the value of the endowment, not including return on investment, of at least $60 million.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN
The FY13 target for gifts to the endowment was $4 million. Actual cash payments to endowment for FY13 were $4,287,766. This represents an increase of 400 percent over FY12. Total pledges and cash payments for endowment gifts received in FY13 were $12,237,441. It is expected that, as the capital campaign continues, gifts and pledges to the endowment will grow significantly as prior pledges are paid and new gifts to the endowment are received.
Year 2: Continue.
Goal E5
We will develop and formalize mechanisms that ensure that our alumni are more engaged with Stevens faculty and students, with important and tangible benefits to all.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN
Substantial effort has taken place in the last year to increase alumni visits to campus, expand club activities, reinvigorate club leadership and improve alumni email lists. These efforts have increased attendance at club meetings by 15 percent. A restructured alumni office is conceptualizing new programs to deliver on this goal.
Year 2: Continue.
Goal E6
Comprehensive review of current resources and future needs related to strategic communications and marketing will be completed.
OWNERS: PRESIDENT NARIMAN FARVARDIN AND VICE PRESIDENT RANDY GREENE
Stevens elevated the chief communications and marketing officer role to a Cabinet-level position and hired the first Vice President of Communications and Marketing. The organizational structure of the university’s communications function was reviewed and reorganized, resulting in the creation of an Office of Communications and Marketing under Vice President Edward Stukane and an Office of Academic Communications and Marketing, reporting to the Provost with a dotted line to Vice President Stukane. The offices share a unified mission and complementary responsibilities. Staffing for both offices has been completed. Benchmarks are being established and planning is underway in support of three institutional objectives: increased recognition of Stevens resulting in enhanced academic reputation and improved prestige; communications and marketing support of undergraduate and graduate student recruitment; and communications support for development and alumni engagement. Initial efforts to leverage Stevens’ U.S. Solar Decathlon entry, its ROI rankings and other media placements have increased Stevens’ visibility on the regional and national stage.
Year 2: Continue.
Goal E6-A (New)
Enhance and expand the reputation and increase the prestige of Stevens Institute of Technology among peer institutions, graduate and undergraduate admissions stakeholder groups, business and industry, the media, and other key constituencies commensurate with our substantial contributions in research, our stellar educational and career outcomes, and our legacy of innovation.
OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD STUKANE
(Goal initiated in Year 2.)
Goal E7
A compelling campus visitor experience will be created that conveys our rich history, our transformative aspirations for the future, the achievements of our alumni, our educational philosophy, our commitment to sustainability and our strong relationship with Hoboken.
OWNER: NOT YET ASSIGNED
This is a Year 3 priority; work on this goal has not yet started.
Goal E8
In partnership with key stakeholders from the City of Hoboken, we will develop a plan to further integrate and engage Stevens and our students within the local Hoboken community for the benefit of all.
OWNERS: PRESIDENT NARIMAN FARVARDIN, VICE PRESIDENT MARYBETH MURPHY AND VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT MAFFIA
Efforts are underway to identify the numerous formal partnerships, outreach activities and ad hoc connections with the City of Hoboken and the Hoboken community in areas such as volunteerism, facilities use, educational initiatives, student programming, athletics clinics, student research and senior design projects, business partnerships, technology initiatives and more. Among the highlights were several efforts resulting from the shared experience of Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken, including: 300 student volunteers who logged 2,000 hours of community service during and after the storm; the technical assistance provided to the City and residents related to storm surge and mitigation strategies in future extreme weather events; and joint programs with the Hoboken Historical Museum commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. A Year 3 priority, work is well underway toward this goal.
Year 2: Continue.
Goal E9
Stevens will seek opportunities to enter into at least one strategic “sister university” agreement with a partner institution to significantly enhance the work of the faculty and the learning opportunities of students from both universities.
OWNER: NOT YET ASSIGNED
This is a Year 3 priority; work on this goal has not yet started.
Goal E10
Stevens will pursue a small number (6-8) of strategic, long lasting institutional-level international partnerships that enhance our global presence and name recognition in strategic geographical locations.
OWNER: NOT YET ASSIGNED
This is a Year 3 priority; work on this goal has not yet started.