External Bridges - Year 3 Report

The President’s Initiative for Excellence was successfully completed ahead of schedule and the leadership phase of a major capital campaign has set new records and is ahead of schedule. Ongoing initiatives in development and in marketing and communications are building steady momentum in increasing alumni participation and expanding awareness of Stevens’ prestige among external audiences.

Goal E1

The President’s Initiative for Excellence will be successfully completed, raising at least $30 million.

OWNER: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD EICHHORN

Completed. 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. The leadership phase of a major capital campaign was launched. Additional subsequent gifts, such as a $10 million pledge from Chairman Emeritus Larry Babbio, have continued the momentum started by the President’s Initiative for Excellence.

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 BRODIE REMINGTON

Stevens secured $28.6 million in gift commitments during FY15, an all-time record for the university, exceeding its fundraising goal of $24 million during FY 2015. The campaign total surpassed the $70 million goal—reaching $71.64 million six months ahead of schedule.

Year 4: Launch the public phase of the campaign and secure $27 million in FY16.

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 BRODIE REMINGTON

The “affinity” based strategy that generated improving results during the second half of FY14 will be refined and conducted throughout FY15. New Annual Fund support will contribute to an expected steady upward trend in giving percentage. Giving participation has risen from 15 percent in 2013 to 18 percent in FY15. The “affinity” strategy (e.g., reunions, Greek alumni, athletics and extra-curricular activity affiliations) has stimulated communities of donors.

Year 4: Continue the “affinity” strategy, expand and strengthen the Annual Fund volunteer organization, and increase the giving participation rate to 19 percent in FY16.

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 BRODIE REMINGTON

The goal for FY15 is to raise at least $6 million in new gifts and pledges for the endowment against the overall goal of $60 million over 10 years. Actual cash payments to endowment for FY15 totaled $3,726,707. Pledges and cash payments for endowments received in FY15 totaled $7,953,903. It is expected that, as the campaign continues, gifts and pledges to the endowment will grow significantly as prior pledges are paid and new gifts to the endowment are secured.

Year 4: The goal for FY16 is to raise at least $6.5 million in new gifts and pledges for the endowment against the overall goal of $60 million over 10 years.

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 BRODIE REMINGTON

Alumni event attendances in FY15 totaled 1,402, compared to 1,551 the previous year. The decline was largely, perhaps entirely, due to a change in procedures. During FY15, in contrast to past years, only actual attendees (not RSVP’s which includes “no shows”) were counted. Also, one major event that normally occurs in June was held in July, the new fiscal year. Attendance for the first half of FY16 is well ahead of last year’s pace and in line with the annual goal.

Year 4: The alumni attendance goal for FY16 is 1,540. Development will create additional measures for “engagement” that more effectively link alumni involvement with outcomes such as the giving of resources and time.

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

Completed.

Goal E6-A

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

Major public relations efforts generated significant media coverage of Stevens ROI rankings, the Solar Decathlon victory and resiliency engineering endeavors. Social Media metrics underscore significant growth of followers from January 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015 in all channels.Earned media placements dropped slightly from 194 in 2014 to 175 in 2015, while social media channel followers increased significantly.

Online visitors seeking Stevens via Google have increased significantly, particularly among prospective graduate students. Overall unique page views for January 1 - December 1, 2015 increased 23.9 percent, to approx. 3.51M from 2.83M in 2014.Other reputation-enhancement initiatives in Year 3 include: the Impact newsletter that presents Stevens research initiatives and ventures to other university research administrators, provosts and deans; creation of the Stevens Brand Toolkit for use by all staff and faculty; and a strategic communications research study and campaign to improve recognition among peer institutions.

Year 4: The development of the new Stevens website is on track and is targeted to be completed in Q3 FY16. This extensive project will create a site that is mobile responsive, streamlined with simplified navigation and designed to support Admissions with primary target audiences of prospective undergraduate and graduate students in mind, alumni engagement and overall reputation enhancement. A major market and perception research study among university presidents, provosts and deans of admissions was completed and is informing strategy and content for peer reputation efforts with US News & World Report university voters. The Capital Campaign theme has been developed and work is underway with the Office of Development on the creation of a dedicated website, video and support materials. Utilize social media to further enhance exposure with prospective undergraduate and graduate students, promote engagement with current students and alumni and portray a more humanistic personality to the university. Continue communications activities targeted at other university presidents, provosts and deans of admissions to US News & World Report (USNWR) university survey voters. In Year 3, Stevens remained ranked at #75 nationally with Peer Assessment ratings and HS Counselor reputation ratings unchanged. USNWR has changed its scoring methodology, so additional effort will be required to impact scores going forward. Continue support for the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science, School of Business, School of Systems and Enterprises, and the College of Arts & Letters’ growth and positioning.

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.

OWNERS: VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT MAFFIA, VICE PRESIDENT MARYBETH MURPHY AND VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD STUKANE

This is a Year 4 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

Students, faculty, and staff participated in over 70 unique engagement activities with the Hoboken community from donations to the local high school to tours of Stevens laboratories for local scout troops, toy drives for Hoboken youth organizations, an SAT prep program, judging local science fairs, hosting meetings of the NJ Tech Meet Up, bringing all schools together for Hoboken’s first 6th grade STEM-a-thon, and more. The Stevens Connects initiative has grown to include a website, social media, print advertising campaigns, community email updates, and grassroots relationship building with key Hoboken constituencies. In December 2015, the Stevens Connects initiative won a GOLD Accolade Award in the Community Relations Programs category from Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District II.

Year 4: Efforts continue into Year 4.

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.

OWNERS: PRESIDENT NARIMAN FARVARDIN AND PROVOST GEORGE KORFIATIS

Two potential sister university opportunities are currently being assessed.

Year 4: Continue assessing suitability of two candidate sister universities. Look for other opportunities.

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.

OWNERS: PRESIDENT NARIMAN FARVARDIN AND PROVOST GEORGE KORFIATIS

The Office of International Programs has been established. Governance has been developed and implemented regarding the establishing agreements with potential partner international universities. This includes the vetting, review, and execution of agreements. Additionally, an inventory has been completed of all current agreements which are now being tracked centrally through the Office of International Programs.

Year 4: Review and assess current agreements (90+) consistent with a set of strategic criteria in order to identify whether any may be potential key, strategic partnership candidates