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Planning Alignment

No one wants their college or university strategic plan to sit on the shelf, collecting dust. So how do you make sure your plan is implemented and serves as a dynamic guide to decisions across campus? Alignment. Integrated planning emphasizes alignment, both vertically (from the institution’s mission to day-to-day activities) and horizontally (across departments and processes, especially those related to budget and resource allocation). In higher education, we realize potential when we bring planning together.

Aligning a plan’s decisions with resource allocation is critical to achieving your college or university’s goals. But for institutions with decentralized budgeting, alignment can seem impossible. Learn practical tips and insights for aligning your strategic planning and decentralized budgeting models.

Build Your Culture of Integrated Planning Through Hands-On Learning

Planning Institute Workshop Series
SCUP’s PI workshop series will help you and your team no matter where you are in the planning process. Learn more about the PI.

Integrated Planning Coaching
Get quick, timely problem-solving advice from planning experts with boots-on-the-ground experience. We’re here to help support your institution. Let’s talk! Get in touch.

Related Learning Resources

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Collaborating, ‘Speed Dating,’ Celebrating, and More

 University colleagues share techniques and tools they find effective in their strategic planning process—and in fostering participation and intentional conversations.
Blog Post

Integrated Planning at Nicolet College

 During “Horizons 2025: Integrated Planning at Nicolet College,” presented at SCUP North Central 2023 Regional Conference, presenters Christin Van Kauwenberg, director of business intelligence, and Erika Warning-Meyer, chief of staff, described how the community college implemented integrated planning. Two conference attendees share the insights and ideas that resonated with them.
Planning for Higher Education Journal

Quickly Building a Bridge

 Executive leadership changes at Northern Michigan University led the interim president, interim provost, and Board of Trustees to call for a bridge plan to clearly articulate strategic work happening throughout campus. This article describes how the university was able to develop an interim strategic plan with broad campus engagement in less than half a year.
Planning for Higher Education Journal

Transforming Data into Meaningful Information

 Leaders in two different accreditation regions share best practices and lessons learned from their integrated planning evolution and its impact on operational efficiency and student learning.
SEE ALL RELATED RESOURCES

Conferences, Courses, and Workshops of Interest

Workshop

Budgeting with Purpose: Aligning Financial Resources to Support Goals

 November 10, 2025 - November 14, 2025
Online | 1:00–3:00 PM Eastern
Community Conversation

Community Conversation: In This Together: An Open Discussion

 November 20, 2025
Online | 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern
Workshop

Planning Institute: Design

 February 12, 2026 - February 13, 2026
Online | 11:00–6:00 PM | Lunch 1:30–2:30 PM Eastern
Course

Building Buy-in for Planning: Dealing With Resistance and Gaining Support

 March 11, 2026 - April 8, 2026
Online | 12:00–1:00 PM Eastern
SEE ALL RELATED CONFERENCES AND PROGRAMS
RELATED PLANNING TYPES
Strategic PlanningResource PlanningAcademic PlanningInstitutional Effectiveness PlanningCampus PlanningDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion PlanningInformation Technology PlanningStrategic Enrollment Management PlanningStudent Affairs PlanningSustainability Planning
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Contact:
Sadie Wutka
Director, Content Development
sadie.wutka@scup.org
734.669.3293