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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
December 15, 2023

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Survival of the Financially Fittest

Leverage Strategic Decision-Making and Key Financial Metrics to Achieve Financial Stability

By: Aaron Meis, EdD, and Julee Gard, EdD

Leaders must look closely at financial trends that may reveal signs of trouble—in the short or immediate term—and have the courage to act to address them.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: This article explores a methodology for assessing and managing the financial viability of private, tuition-dependent institutions as well as institutional tactics and strategies used to improve their financial strength. The resulting model will help institutions understand the trends and predictive value of key financial metrics directly impacting their liquidity and operations and how senior leadership can drive change. Institutional examples illustrate how to engage senior leadership in strategic decision-making that includes assessment of revenue growth and/or expense management.

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Blog Post

Published
August 9, 2023

6 Integrated Planning Strategies and Tips We Learned at SCUP 2023

By: SCUP

Every year at SCUP’s annual conference, over 1,000 of higher education’s leaders and innovators gather to share how they are advancing integrated planning at their college or university. Out of the wealth of tools, strategies, and tips shared at SCUP 2023, which took place earlier this month in Cleveland, here are six that stood out.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
September 9, 2022

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Strategic Planning That’s Truly Strategic

By: Aimee Hosemann, PhD, RHB | Rob Zinkan, EdD, RHB

What do strategic plans do? What does it mean to be “strategic”? These are among the questions addressed in a recent year-long study of 108 active college and university strategic plans. Hear directly from the researchers as they highlight a few important insights they discovered during their analysis, like how to avoid the many pitfalls of strategic planning and ensure a process focused on strategy and outcomes.
Abstract: What do strategic plans do? Who are they for? What does it mean to be “strategic”? These are among the questions addressed in a recent year-long study of 108 active college and university strategic plans (and the basis of the 2021 book What Makes a Strategic Plan Strategic). Hear directly from the researchers as they highlight a few important insights they discovered during their analysis, like how to avoid the many pitfalls of strategic planning and ensure a process focused on strategy and outcomes.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
November 15, 2021

Higher Education Business Models Under Stress, Part 1

Board Oversight of Finance and the Business Model: Key Indicators and Trends for Scenario Planning and Stress Testing

By: Verne O. Sedlacek (Moderator), Valparaiso University Board of Directors | Carlton Brown, AGB Consulting | Lawrence R. Ladd, AGB Consulting | Melody Rose, Nevada System of Higher Education

Join a panel discussion on business model transformation moderated by Verne Sedlacek, vice board chair of Valparaiso University with guest panelists Melody Rose, coauthor of AGB’s new book, Higher Education Business Models Under Stress, and AGB consultants Carlton Brown and Larry Ladd, experts in higher education budgeting, finance, and strategic planning.
Abstract: Securing financial viability requires an engaged board that is monitoring the right trends and campus indicators, asking the right questions of campus leaders about the institution’s finances, and doing the scenario planning and stress testing necessary to transform a business model under stress.

The governing board’s fiduciary duty to steward the institution’s financial health requires that boards and leaders consider business model transformations, and plan for a range of scenarios like mergers, affiliations, strategic partnerships, and even—when all other options are exhausted—final transformations such as campus closures when continued mission fulfillment is impossible.

This is part one of a two-part webinar series delivered in partnership between SCUP and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), “Higher Education Business Models Under Stress: Planning for Successful Transitions”. This series will help build your fiduciary understanding of your institution’s business model as you prepare the campus for a range of possible business transformations, from mergers, strategic affiliations, corporate partnerships, or even the ultimate scenario of a campus closure. View the recording for part two, “Graceful Business Model Transitions: Planning and Executing a College or Campus Closure”.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
November 5, 2021

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The Integrated Triad

Apply the Three Time Horizons Perspective to Planning and Governance

By: Jim Downey, PhD

An integrated model of three horizons, three areas of planning, and three types of governance is presented as a framework for institutional leadership.

From Volume 50 Number 1 | October–December 2021

Abstract: The global COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the world of higher education. As institutions look to the future, beyond the end of the pandemic, significant uncertainty exists. There is little question that colleges and universities will have to do a better job at planning, and boards at governing, to flourish in the years ahead. In this article an integrated model centered around three different time horizons, three areas of planning, and three types of governance is presented. The model can serve as a framework to demonstrate how these are all related, self-reinforcing, and usable as an aid for institutional leadership.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 16, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

2020 Foresight

Scenario Planning in the Age of Pandemic

By: Jan O'Brien, Thompson Rivers University | Dana Prymak, Thompson Rivers University

In this presentation, we'll demonstrate a step by step how-to for you to apply on your own campus with a vivid description of deliverables, tools, and 'gotchas.'
Abstract: The disruptive nature of a post-COVID world provides the perfect opportunity for institutions to use scenario planning as a tool to navigate through an uncertain future. Scenario planning is especially useful for communicating external and internal trends and bridging a discussion between the most recent visioning exercise and transition. In this presentation, we'll demonstrate a step by step how-to for you to apply on your own campus with a vivid description of deliverables, tools, and 'gotchas.'

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Tool

Published
October 2, 2020

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An Integrated Approach to Scenario Planning

Recovery Planning in a Volatile Environment

By: Nicholas R. Santilli, PhD, SCUP | Sadie Wutka, SCUP

No one can predict the future. That doesn’t mean it needs to be a total surprise. This toolkit will walk you step-by-step through scenario planning with instructions, examples, and worksheets that you can use to start scenario planning at your institution immediately.
Abstract: The pace of change is getting faster, and it’s getting harder to anticipate what the future holds—and how your institution can prepare. Scenario planning can help your institution plan for a volatile and uncertain future. Scenario planning uses today’s forces and trends to imagine probable futures and what they could mean for your institution. It’s a flexible process that can inform your institution’s regular planning processes or be used as part of recovery planning in response to disruptions or catastrophic events.

An Integrated Approach to Scenario Planning is a toolkit that will walk you step-by-step through scenario planning. It includes instructions, examples, and blank worksheets that you can use to start scenario planning at your institution immediately. Don’t let your college or university get blindsided. Download your copy and prepare for the future.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
July 15, 2020

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Developing a Nimble and Change-Ready Planning Culture

By: Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, SCUP | Larry Squarini, Vice President of Product Development, SPOL | Tony Adam, Senior Training Consultant, SPOL

Panelists Nick Santilli from SCUP and Larry Squarini and Tony Adam from SPOL discuss how integrated planning can help develop a robust culture and take a deep dive into strategic, operational, continuity, and scenario planning.

This is part three of the series, “Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process.”

Abstract: This is the third in a series of complimentary, interactive webinars, “Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process,” hosted by SCUP in partnership with SPOL focusing on planning for the new normal and beyond.

Our panel of experts discusses how integrated planning can help develop a robust culture and take a deep dive into strategic, operational, continuity, and scenario planning.

Recorded July 15, 2020.
Moderator: Mike Moss, President, SCUP.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
July 15, 2020

Coffee Chat: Tracking the External Environment

The SCUP Spring Trends Report

By: Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, SCUP | James Downey, Vice President for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Join Nick Santilli and Jim Downey for a conversation that will highlight the SCUP Spring Trends and SCUP Trends for Canada reports. Scanning the external environment is a key factor in keeping your institution nimble and change-ready—two facets necessary for effective institutional planning. These documents are essential tools for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.
Abstract: Join Nick Santilli and Jim Downey for a conversation that will highlight the SCUP Spring Trends and SCUP Trends for Canada reports. Scanning the external environment is a key factor in keeping your institution nimble and change-ready—two facets necessary for effective institutional planning. These documents provide overviews of the important external forces that impact institutional operations. They are also essential tools for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
June 17, 2020

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That Didn’t Go As Planned

Reflections on Institutional Change During a Pandemic

By: Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, SCUP | Larry Squarini, Vice President of Product Development, SPOL | Tony Adam, Senior Training Consultant, SPOL

Panelists Nick Santilli from SCUP and Larry Squarini and Tony Adam from SPOL discuss how institutions are living through the pivot and how scenario planning can fuel recovery.

This is the first installment of the series, “Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process.”

Abstract: Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process, hosted by SCUP in partnership with SPOL focusing on planning for the new normal and beyond. In this episode, our experts discuss how institutions are living through the pivot and how scenario planning can fuel recovery.

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