STUDENT AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT (2025-2026) 7 • KPI 2: Graduation Rate – The plan set a goal for 38% of first-time, full-time, baccalaureate degree-seeking students to graduate within four years by 2030. The fall 2021 cohort achieved a 38.8% graduation rate, exceeding the target five years ahead of schedule. • KPI 7: Auxiliary Coverage Ratio – Northern aimed to reach a coverage ratio of 1.6 by 2030 — a key financial metric reflecting an auxiliary unit's ability to meet debt obligations using operating income. In fiscal year 2025, Northern achieved a ratio of 1.99, signaling strong financial health and positioning auxiliary operations for long-term sustainability. The achievement of KPIs 2 and 7 brings the total number of completed KPIs to five, meaning Northern has already accomplished half of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan's key performance indicators during the first year of a five-year planning cycle. The spring 2026 ACUHO-I/Benchworks Resident Assessment also identified opportunities for improvement. KPI 6 calls for at least 55% of students to report satisfaction with campus dining by 2030. Current results show satisfaction at 39.3% in 2026, down from 47.6% in 2022. In response, Student Affairs, Dining Services, and Sodexo will work collaboratively to identify concerns and implement improvements before the next ACUHO-I/Benchworks assessment in spring 2028. The early achievement of five strategic KPIs demonstrates meaningful momentum toward the goals outlined in the Student Affairs Strategic Plan. While work remains in several areas, Northern's results reflect a strong commitment to data-informed decision making, student success, campus safety and continuous improvement. Additional information is available at northern.edu/student-affairs-strategic-plan, including the public KPI Dashboard, which provides transparent updates on institutional progress. Printed copies of the plan are available in Student Center Suite 222. To request a presentation for your department or organization, contact Jerilyn Mielke at jerilyn.mielke@northern.edu or call 605-626-3007. A Year of Success Student Affairs accomplishes an amazing 34 Key Results in the first year of the updated Strategic Plan. MEASURING SUCCESS: In its second iteration, the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025-30) adopts the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) planning model. Widely used by corporations, non-profits, and institutions of higher education, this planning model breaks down complicated efforts into smaller and achievable parts to maintain momentum and transparency. Objectives are designed to fulfill the student success mission of Northern State University and Student Affairs. Each Objective is recognized as contributing to key experiences that impact student recruitment and retention. Objectives are large, audacious goals, which should be challenging and should speak directly to our mission.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzkyNTY=