President's Annual Report 2023

Dear Friends

Five years ago, Neumann University launched a strategic plan to meet the growing need for leaders who are positive role models, trustworthy citizens, and caring stewards of our world. Our goal was to ensure that we graduate men and women who are prepared to serve as transformational leaders in health care, business, education, and other professional fields. These leaders, steeped in Franciscan values, would also support the marginalized and the vulnerable through efforts in their communities, non-profit organizations, and the Church.

Reflecting on the 2022-23 academic year, we have made significant strides to achieve these goals, based on the four pillars of the strategic plan: leadership, excellence, visibility, and resources.

I urge you to read about these accomplishments and many more in this annual report.

Let’s keep in prayer the members of the Neumann University family that we lost this year, especially Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, who led Neumann University as president for 21 years and served on this holy hill for more than 40. She passed away on May 13, 2023, the day of her beloved university’s commencement ceremonies.

We are now well into the 2023-24 year and on a steadfast course to educate a diverse community of learners based upon the belief that knowledge is a gift to be shared in the service of others and that learning is a lifelong process. We achieve this mission on behalf of our students and will continue to do so in the years to come because Neumann RISES on the core values of Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship and lives the actions which these values inspire.

Dr. Chris Everett Domes
President

• Redesigned our academic offerings into three schools School of Business, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Education, aligning disciplines to create synergy and innovation for multi-disciplinary programs for our students to develop critical thinkers and valuable team members.
• Created a Provost model to include Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Athletics and Recreation to provide the best education and experience for our students.
• Created a Center for Teaching Excellence to provide workshops and resources to faculty on the latest teaching in today’s environment to ensure the delivery of the best possible education -- face to face, hybrid, or online -- to our students.
• Opened the Center for Global Engagement focusing on International Student Admissions, Global Learning, International Student Support Services, and Faculty Development to foster a more inclusive and globally diverse university community.
• Launched Sora Luna Lounge as a successful student run business under the direction of the School of Business.
• Designated as a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus
• Mentored three math majors who won a Clare Boothe Luce undergraduate research scholar award.

• Added graduate degrees in Nursing, Forensic Psychology and Cybersecurity.
• Nursing graduates realized a 98.25% Pass Rate on the NCLEX. 
• The Class of 2023 graduated with 90% employed or attending graduate school.
• School of Business opened an E-Sports Laboratory, enhancing and expanding opportunities for students.
• The Alumni Association presented awards to alumni making a difference in the world at the 2023 Awards Ceremony.
• Implemented learning management systems and integrated enrollment for student-centric learning and registration experience. 

• Campus-wide collaboration reinforcing the RISES values of Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship to provide community outreach and engagement, and a diversified offering of unique learning and cultural opportunities.
• Hosted Souls Shot and Gun Violence Interdisciplinary panel and Souls Shot Portrait Project exploring the crisis of gun violence in our country from a variety of perspectives. 
• The Neumann Institute for Franciscan Studies and Sustainability Council developed the Laudato Si Action Plan and received an honorable mention from Catholic Climate Covenant in its first “US. Laudato Si Champions.”
• Library Archives digitized artifacts for historical preservation and sharing of our legacy for our upcoming 60^th Anniversary Celebration.
• Hosted inaugural Neumann Inspires Film Festival with Brad Ingelsby.
• Our Lady of Angels Convent welcomed resident students and received national, regional, and local media coverage in 145 sources. 
• National, regional and local recognition including:
  • Eastern College Athletic Conference Esports NBA 2K23 Champions
  • Students won two national awards for journalism, including Best Collegiate Radio Show
  • Roller Hockey National Title
  • U.S. News Ranking for Social Mobility, Online Bachelor’s Degree
  • Named Top Transfer-Friendly University, Military Friendly School
  • Online Master’s in Business Earns Top 50 National Ranking
  • First place in Campus Race to Zero Waste
  • Ambassador Award bestowed by Irish Chamber

• Inspired by our ambitious campus master plan, loyal supporters gathered to recall our bold origin, be inspired about our future and take a leap of faith into the future.
• Expanded the diversity of students with 465 new undergraduates who hail from 17 different states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as Brazil, Nigeria, Canada, Zimbabwe, India, and Turkey. 
• Annual Day of Giving donors exceeded the goal by more than double and raised an unprecedented $150,103 from 429 donors in support of student success.
• Welcomed 77 individuals to the inaugural St. Francis Society, our leadership annual giving group. 
• Secured three endowed scholarships to provide a total of 67 donor established scholarships. 
• Awarded $102,000 from W.W. Smith Trust for scholarships
• Received a $1 Million State Grant for Student Center and $1 Million for Hockey Arena
• Knights' Pantry Received $20K Grant from State