In 2020, Redeemer launched the Learn. Forward. Strategic Plan with a vision to prepare Kingdom-centred, innovative graduates to make a profound impact in a rapidly changing, complex and digital world. Despite launching the plan during a global pandemic, which caused many significant challenges for the university, Redeemer saw strong growth and experienced learning in organizational management, remote work and technological advancement. Above all, the university continued to rely on God’s faithfulness over the past five years. As Learn. Forward. concludes, Redeemer celebrates the plan’s milestones and achievements.

… God’s faithful provision has allowed Redeemer to continue its mission to prepare students to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in every career and calling.

Reformed Worldview Integration

Since 2020, faculty have been supported in their development through an additional annual internal development conference, giving them two opportunities per year to develop deeper knowledge of the Reformed Christian worldview and how to integrate it into teaching and research. An orientation program for new faculty was also launched, which includes a video series called What Does Reformed Mean?, with an accompanying website for the public. Two full-time professors were hired to teach and lead the core program, the most intentional expression of Redeemer’s Reformed worldview in the curriculum. The Centre for Christian Scholarship was renamed in honour of Dr. Albert M. Wolters, a founding faculty member and well recognized contributor to Reformed Christian scholarship. The Wolters Centre also appointed a new director and three new faculty fellows, each of whom bring lecturers to campus from around the world to share exceptional scholarship from a Christian perspective. Finally, after being renamed to Redeemer University in 2020, the institution, varsity sports teams and bookstore were given modern visual identities that reflected Redeemer’s holistic Reformed worldview as they moved into a new decade and beyond.

Innovate for Student and Graduate Success

With greater degree-granting authority received in 2020, Redeemer added a new degree program each year thereafter: a bachelor of business administration, a bachelor of kinesiology, a bachelor of communications and media studies and a bachelor of health sciences. The university also launched new certificate programs in not-for-profit management, pre-law and liberal arts, microcredentials in church leadership, and is preparing to launch its first master’s programs by 2026. Classroom technology was upgraded to allow for diverse delivery models, spurred on by the pandemic and the need for flexibility. The university also opened the Innovation Centre with a makerspace and collaboration hub to foster design thinking and entrepreneurship in every discipline. In parallel to the academic advancements, a Wellness Centre was opened in 2020 with a nurse practitioner caring for the health needs of students to support student wellbeing. In 2024, mental health triage and services were integrated in an expanded centre, further enhancing these commitments.

Contemporary, Sustainable Facilities

Responding to significant enrolment growth, the Charis Live and Learn Centre opened in early 2021, adding 170 new beds in various sized apartment residences along with classrooms, offices, a makerspace and a collaboration hub on the lower level. The original academic and administration building was named Founders Hall and received significant updates and improvements, including a renewed dining hall that opens onto the Commons, a reconfigured Welcome Centre, an upgraded auditorium and refreshed carpet and paint in many places. Many existing residences were also updated.

Healthy Workplace Culture

The university completed a number of initiatives to support employees including a recognition program, a new employee orientation program, a streamlined performance appraisal system and remote work policies. The mission and vision were refined to reintroduce and clarify the identity and purpose of the institution as it moves into the future. Flowing out of the new statements, core values were appended to guide how the community learns and works together.

A Respectful Community

Alongside the strategic plan, a number of initiatives were launched over the past five years supporting Redeemer’s commitment to a respectful campus and love for neighbour. The Respectful Campus Initiative was undertaken to ensure that all who choose to be a part of the Redeemer community are treated with love, dignity and respect. As part of Black History Month, Redeemer sought to explore what it means to celebrate Black history in Canada from a Christian perspective through a series of events and activities throughout the month of February. In 2024, the university unveiled a new exhibit about the history of the land on which its campus stands. The exhibit honours the rich First Nations heritage of the area, showcasing artifacts that speak to the cultural roots of the land. An accompanying website aims to educate visitors comprehensively about the history and culture of all those who have stewarded the land.

“Over the past five years, God’s faithful provision has allowed Redeemer to continue its mission to prepare students to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in every career and calling,” says president Dr. David Zietsma. “As we look back, the twists and turns of this time alongside God’s provision, remind us of our reliance on the Lord, and the need to seek and trust him as we make plans.” The university is now in a new strategic planning process that will allow it to respond to opportunities in a complex and rapidly changing world. Redeemer aims to launch this new strategic plan this fall.