Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

On May 14, 2024, Franciscan University of Steubenville announced its ambitious "Be Light" Strategic Plan for the years 2024-2027. The plan outlines the university's goals to confront what it identifies as "powerful and inexhaustible headwinds" in higher education and society.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University, emphasized that this period of significant change in higher education presents a tremendous opportunity for the institution. He highlighted issues such as woke campus cultures, moral relativism, and financial instability as serious challenges in today's higher education landscape.

Over its 78-year history, Franciscan University has emerged as a center of Catholic thought and culture. Its popular Steubenville Conferences have formed over one million missionary disciples through teen and adult outreach efforts. Despite a declining trend in enrollment at many universities, Franciscan University has broken enrollment records for the past seven years. In fall 2023, it admitted its largest freshman class ever.

Brenan Pergi ’98 MBA ’02, senior vice president of Franciscan University, led the year-long strategic planning process. He explained that they engaged in formal and informal listening sessions and surveys with various stakeholders to envision the future of Franciscan University.

The Be Light Strategic Plan established three overarching strategic goals for the next three years: preparing students to transform their communities; extending the university’s impact beyond its campus; and galvanizing support for future generations.

To achieve these goals, Franciscan plans to expand undergraduate personal vocation preparation through more mentoring, internship, and leadership development opportunities. It also aims to increase online student numbers and attendance at Steubenville Conferences while establishing a Washington D.C., extension.

Father Pivonka drew inspiration from Matthew 5:14 when naming the plan: “You are the light of the world.” He expressed hope that the plan's goals will help shine a light in the world as they continue working to rebuild the Church and sanctify the world.

The entire 2024 Be Light Strategic Plan can be accessed on Franciscan University's website.