![Harvard Shield](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-10/10032025-HDS.Campus-036%20wide.jpg?h=4084b922&itok=k7w1ZcGz) # Strategic Planning Update October 22, 2025 Dear members of the HDS community, I write today to share an overview of the strategic plan that has taken shape over the past year. Facilitated by Beleza Advisors, a firm dedicated to navigating strategy, vision, and leadership for higher education and the nonprofit sector, this plan outlines key priorities that build on the School's strong foundation. The plan is also designed to bring the future of the study of religion—and the many intersections of this work—into even greater focus. Many of you were involved in this extensive process, and I want to acknowledge the time, energy, and wisdom so generously given as we worked through focus groups, research, and drafts. The discernment each of you bring to your roles and responsibilities makes the promise of beloved community possible. I also want to acknowledge the challenges that HDS, Harvard, and the broader higher educational landscape continue to face. Your continued support, guidance, care, and generosity help us navigate these challenging moments more deftly—thank you. The strategic plan titled "[Harvard Divinity School 2030: Many Paths, Shared Hopes](https://www.hds.harvard.edu/about/strategic-priorities)" is now available, with key details outlined below. ### Brief Background A primary goal of the planning process was to benefit fully from the perspectives of the extended HDS community to inform the development of strategic priorities. Beginning fall 2024 and over the course of several months, more than 200 faculty, students, staff, alumni, and Harvard University leaders provided perspectives and input through surveys, interviews, and focus groups on the School’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. Additionally, deans from five peer divinity schools were interviewed in this process. Extensive data related to admission, teaching, and the student and alumni experience were analyzed to guide discussions. This intentional research and engagement resulted in two major updates for the School: a revised mission statement and a set of new strategic priorities to guide our collective work over at least the next five years. ### Mission Statement The Divinity School, the first nonsectarian theological school in the country, was founded in 1816. The long-standing mission read as: "Harvard Divinity School educates students of religion for intellectual leadership, professional service, and ministry." Over the last two centuries, our multifaith, pluralistic institution has grown in both size and scope. To honor this progress, we have revised our mission statement to read as the following: "Harvard Divinity School advances scholarly research on religions around the world and educates students for intellectual leadership, professional service, and ministry in a multireligious environment." This expansion of our mission statement honors our history while more fully reflecting the breadth and depth of study and research taking place at HDS all year long. Community members expressed strong support for the [HDS vision statement](https://click.hu.harvard.edu/?qs=9ee1d75a3c3ab6efefbd43212c16f044a138fb5ead9f66419c0127fcbb13f2bafa619484609335dbe3be8daa8e737e2cd7e59ad1d939e32b), and no changes have been made to that language. ### Strategic Priorities Focused effort will allow us to address critical areas of opportunity that emerged from the planning process. These priorities are designed to support the School's vision and updated mission. 1. Advance and strengthen the academic study of religion. 2. Fully realize the promise of a multireligious academic environment. 3. Prepare students to lead in a multireligious world. 4. Enhance HDS visibility, reach, and impact. I hope you will see these strategic priorities as I do—a way to chart our future with eyes on the horizon. I would again like to thank each person who helped bring this plan to fruition. The process evoked a spirit of deep reflection, meaningful dialogue, and collective purpose throughout our community. We will bring this same thoughtfulness and care to our work moving forward. Thank you again for your insightful gifts of time and talent for this process. I look forward to working with you to realize this vision of shared hopes in the years ahead. With appreciation, ![Dean frederick signature](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/2025-10/Dean%20Frederick%20signature.png) Marla F. Frederick, PhD Dean of Harvard Divinity School John Lord O’Brian Professor of Divinity Professor of Religion and Culture Professor of African and African American Studies (FAS) ### Harvard Divinity School 2030: Many Paths, Shared Hopes Renowned for its faculty, scholarship, and decades-long commitment to cultivating a multireligious academic environment, HDS is poised to play an increasingly vital role in advancing rigorous scholarship; preparing skilled, ethical leaders; and facilitating dialogue through a distinctive pluralistic lens at a moment of increasing need around the world. [ Explore the Strategic Priorities and Vision arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.hds.harvard.edu/about/strategic-priorities) ![Bell tower on campus](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-10/2016-05-10-SpringCampus-27.jpg?itok=U66H_1L4)