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Blog Post

Published
September 2, 2025

How Strategic Is Your Strategic Plan?

Identify Its Shortcomings and Ask Key Questions

By: Sarah L Collie, PhD, Associate Vice President for Organizational Excellence, University of Virginia

Today, strategic planning in colleges and universities is more crucial than ever. Yet many strategic plans in higher education lack a clear strategy, instead resembling a long-range plan.

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Blog Post

Published
August 9, 2024

Slight Differences and Lots of Similarities

Two Conference Presenters Both Advocate for Developing and Improving Planning Culture

By: Melodie Greer, MEd, Bryn Athyn College

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Collaboration in Strategic Resource Alignment

By: Brittany Cipollone, Director of Integrated Planning and Effectiveness | Tara Montroy, Ms.

A codified planning and resource alignment process can elevate institutional planning culture and help ensure the alignment of resources to the strategic plan. We'll show how planning and resource alignment are part of a systematic, data-informed, and integrated approach to achieving an institution's mission and vision.
Abstract: A codified planning and resource alignment process can elevate institutional planning culture and help ensure the alignment of resources to the strategic plan. We'll show how planning and resource alignment are part of a systematic, data-informed, and integrated approach to achieving an institution's mission and vision. You'll walk away from this session with templates and logistical knowledge for effective implementation of annual planning and resource alignment as a part of an institutional integrated planning process.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Charting the Future of Education: Expedited, Experiential Strategic Planning

By: Ryan Evans, Senior Service Designer | Colin Gerrity, Design Strategist | Jessica Sears, Director, Academic Planning & Accreditation

As higher education operates in an increasingly complex world, charting a path forward requires a clear vision. An inclusive, comprehensive strategic planning process for educational programs is both just and necessary for institutions to stay relevant.
Abstract: As higher education operates in an increasingly complex world, charting a path forward requires a clear vision. An inclusive, comprehensive strategic planning process for educational programs is both just and necessary for institutions to stay relevant. We'll present a three-phase expedited, practical, inclusive approach that Tufts University used to lead a strategic planning process and develop an educational vision. Join us for experiential, mixed methods to include all voices in the strategic planning process, build community across schools in a decentralized university, and participate in a simulated co-design session.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Designing Between the Books for Belonging and Mattering in University Libraries

By: Gina Fernandes, PhD Student | David Woodbury, Head, Learning Spaces & Services

Institutions can move beyond design project engagement activities by actively collaborating with students to explore issues of belonging and mattering to make more meaningful design choices.
Abstract: Institutions can move beyond design project engagement activities by actively collaborating with students to explore issues of belonging and mattering to make more meaningful design choices. This session will delve into research created with students from racial minorities at North Carolina State University's (NCSU) D. H. Jr. Hill Library, which explores their perceptions and offers their visions for more just and equitable spaces. Along with learning how to connect students' sense of belonging and mattering to campus design through meaningful collaboration, you'll leave this session with a replicable research model to use with students to envision more inclusive learning environments.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

A Unique, Integrated Approach to Strategy Execution

By: Christopher Crew, Executive Director Research, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness | Nohemy Ornelas, Vice Chancellor of Educational and Student Support Services | Diana Rodriguez, Chancellor

The pandemic has underscored the importance of building systems, cultures, and tactical infrastructure that allow organizations to adapt, challenging us to rethink our priorities.
Abstract: The pandemic has underscored the importance of building systems, cultures, and tactical infrastructure that allow organizations to adapt, challenging us to rethink our priorities. We'll demonstrate a unique approach to strategy execution that ensures accountability and increases institutional investment by empowering all organizational units to understand how their work contributes to the success of a strategic plan. In this session, you'll learn how to mitigate risks to strategic priorities early and effectively, bridge the chasm between strategy creators and executors, while simultaneously creating a shared experience where everyone feels responsible for facilitating meaningful progress.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
June 20, 2024

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Why Strategic Plans Aren’t Working in Uncertain Times

Because Strategic Planning Should Be a Dynamic, Robust Process

By: Daniel Seymour, PhD

The author’s approach to his research-based Strategic Planning in Uncertain Times Fieldbook began with a sampling review of 50 strategic plans. What emerged was the development of an organizational learning cycle used as a template to assess the effectiveness of strategic plans on more than 250 college and university websites.

From Volume 52 Number 3 | April–June 2024

Abstract: A strategic plan is supposed to “bring the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” Almost every college or university has such a plan because accreditors and governing boards require one. The question is: Why do so many higher education institutions seem to be unprepared when they take drastic actions (e.g., eliminating programs, cutting faculty and staff members, etc.) in uncertain times? The author studied more than 250 colleges and universities and suggests the answer in this article.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
January 9, 2024

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Collaborating, ‘Speed Dating,’ Celebrating, and More

Augusta University Equipped a Core Team to Engage Stakeholders in Strategic Planning

By: Mickey Williford, MPA and Brittany Cipollone, MBA, MAT

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

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

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ebook

Published
July 21, 2022

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A Practical Guide to Strategic Planning in Higher Education

Second Edition, with New and Updated Content

By: Karen E. Hinton, PhD

A resource for anyone engaged in college or university strategic planning, and an excellent primer for planning committees. This second edition also contains new strategies for using an institution’s strategic plan during times of institutional upheaval, and additional techniques for jump-starting various parts of the planning process.
Abstract: A Practical Guide to Strategic Planning in Higher Education is a resource for anyone engaged in college or university strategic planning; it is also an excellent primer for planning committees. Using clear definitions, practical tips, and examples drawn from actual situations, this short book acts as a manual for both experienced planners and those who are new to the process. This second edition also contains new strategies for using an institution’s strategic plan during times of institutional upheaval, and additional techniques for jump-starting various parts of the planning process.

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Example Plans

Published
May 31, 2022

Sustainability Plan

Public (British Columbia, Canada)

Abstract: “In 2013 TRU established ‘increasing sustainability’ as one of its five strategic priorities for 2014-2019. This Strategic Sustainability Plan (SSP) is aligned with the university’s strategic plan, and provides a focus for TRU’s efforts toward sustainability over the same period. The SSP is comprehensive in nature, and includes more than 130 recommended strategies across four key focus areas: Operations & Planning, Advocacy & Engagement, Learning, and Administration. The SSP is intended to provide a framework for each TRU department and operational unit to incorporate sustainability initiatives into their own planning processes (the structure of the plan is illustrated on the opposing page). . . . Unlike some strategic documents, the plan takes a comprehensive approach of documenting strategies over the next 5 years. These strategies are not all the responsibility of one department or office, but rather are shared among many. This comprehensive approach will allow each office or department to see where and how it can play a role in TRU’s sustainability journey.”

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