Learning Resources

Destination 2030

The Need for Transformation Architects

By: Edward Inch, PhD, Minnesota State University – Mankato | Lynn Akey, PhD, Minnesota State University – Mankato | Linda Baer, PhD, Strategic Initiatives and Minnesota State University – Mankato

Institutions Mentioned: Minnesota State University-Mankato
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Strategic Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Disruptive Change, Enrollment Management, Environmental Scanning, Higher Ed Trends, Organizational Change, Planning Processes, Presidential Leadership, Student Demographics, Student Success

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Book Review: Higher Education Business Models Under Stress

Achieving Graceful Transitions in the Academy

By: Susan C. Allen, MBA

From Volume 50 Number 2 | Jan–Mar 2022

Abstract: Higher Education Business Models Under Stress: Achieving Graceful Transitions in the Academy
by Melody Rose and Larry D. Large
AGP: Washington, DC: 2021
140 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-951635-12-1

Institutions Mentioned: Marylhurst University
Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Cost of Higher Ed, COVID-19, Disruptive Change, Higher Ed in Society, Higher Ed Trends, Student Demographics

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Prioritizing Campus Diversity Budgets

DEI Funding Has Mostly Survived the Post-Pandemic Cuts

By: Jeffery L. Wilson, PhD, Gerron Scott, MEd, and Reginald L. Stroble, EdD

Researchers learned that if diversity initiatives were a strategic priority for an institution, the 2020 financial crisis did little to reduce budget allocations.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: In 2013, the article Planning for the Future: The Impact on the Public University Diversity Budget in Time of Recession reported the impact of the 2008 recession on college and university student affairs diversity unit budgets. Colleges are again faced with another economic downturn with looming budget cuts. The purpose of this article is to revisit the idea of whether primarily student affairs diversity units are hit harder than other institutional units in fiscal cuts and the potential effect that current events related to diversity programming initiatives have had on campus planning. The article explores the status of these budgets during fiscal uncertainty and the social awareness around campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion and its prioritization.

Planning Types: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Higher Ed Trends, Original Research, Racial Equity, Resource Allocation, Trends External to Higher Ed

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 14, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

A Mountain Climber’s Guide to Scrambling Through Change

By: Jacqueline Ashby, University of British Columbia-Vancouver

This session will discuss how to take key climbing skills—assessing a changing environment and determining which tools, resources, and expertise are needed to manage change—and apply them to higher education.

Abstract: Solo climbing mountainous terrain is like managing change in higher education—it requires meticulous planning, considerable effort, and the ability to adapt to a changing environment. This session will discuss how to take key climbing skills—assessing a changing environment and determining which tools, resources, and expertise are needed to manage change—and apply them to higher education. It will share a framework to plan for and manage change so you can achieve your personal and professional objectives.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Building a Path Forward

Overcoming Pandemic Impacts on HBCUs

By: Anthony Brown, United Negro College Fund Inc | Troy Glover, DLR Group | Logan Hampton, Lane College | Yogesh Saoji, DLR Group | Leroy Staggers, Morris College

United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes.

Abstract: HBCUs have a tradition of providing affordable, culturally accessible higher education to minority and first-generation students as they support disadvantaged communities. The evolution of planning, partnerships, and pedagogy at HBCUs provides lessons for any stressed institution. United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes. Join the panel for an engaging discussion about physical, academic, financial, and operational strategies for reshaping and strengthening HBCUs and apply lessons learned to address diversity, equity, and inclusion at your institution.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 19, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

President’s Panel

Transforming and Reimagining Higher Education for the Future

By: Frances Bronet, Pratt Institute | Kerstin Mey, University of Limerick | Vianne Timmons, Memorial University

In this session, three college and university presidents from the United States, Canada, and Europe will reflect on how we can transform and reimagine higher education for the future.

Abstract: SCUP defines integrated planning as a sustainable approach to planning that builds relationships, aligns the organization, and emphasizes preparedness for change. Over the past several years—and particularly in 2020—the world has experienced significant shifts in its sociocultural, economic, and political landscapes. How can higher education institutions use integrated planning to respond nimbly and flexibly to these changes? In this session, three college and university presidents from the United States, Canada, and Europe will reflect on how we can transform and reimagine higher education for the future.

Institutions Mentioned: Memorial University of Newfoundland, Pratt Institute-Main, University of Limerick
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Campus Planning, Resource Planning, Strategic Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Alignment, COVID-19, Environmental Scanning, Higher Ed Trends, Response Planning, SCUP 2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference

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Example Plans

Published
March 5, 2021

Strategic Plan

Private Master’s College or University (Alabama, United States)

The university’s strategic plan details five broad goals with supporting strategies and measures for success. Focus centers on student success and leveraging technology for the 21st-century learning experience.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
August 20, 2020

Creating a More Adaptive Institution in the Wake of COVID-19

By: Moderators: Elliot Felix, Founder & CEO, brightspot; Adam Griff, Managing Director, brightspot | Presenters: Shawna Dark, Chief Academic Technology Officer & Executive Director, Research, Teaching, and Learning, University of California, Berkeley; Cedric Howard, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services, SUNY Fredonia; Marla Love, Senior Associate Dean of Students, Diversity and Equity, Cornell University; Rick Straka, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Lora Strigens, Vice-President for Planning and Facilities Management, Marquette University

This interactive panel discussion will bring together different institutions’ perspectives from facilities, technology, student services, and finance to understand the impact of COVID-19 on institutions and their student experience. The discussion will be organized in three parts, each with a prompt to inform the discussion, a poll to take the pulse of the audience, and an open discussion among panelists.

Abstract: How can colleges and universities become more adaptive in the wake of COVID-19? This interactive panel discussion will bring together different institutions’ perspectives from facilities, technology, student services, and finance to understand the impact of COVID-19 on institutions and their student experience.

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Berkeley, SUNY at Fredonia, Cornell University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Marquette University
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Academic Planning, Resource Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Budget / Finance, COVID-19, Learning Technology, Online Learning, Response Planning, Student Services

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Voices from the Field: Episode #1

How Data Can Power Crisis Response and Accreditation Insights During COVID-19

By: William Knight, Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Miami University

William Knight, Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Miami University, addresses how his team has developed data dashboards for administration and faculty to provide insight into Learning Management System (LMS) use, enrollment projections, and overall student access and success.

Abstract: In this conversation, William Knight, Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Miami University, addresses how his team has developed data dashboards for administration and faculty to provide insight into Learning Management System (LMS) use, enrollment projections, and overall student access and success. He then discusses trends he’s noticed at HLC and thoughts on how campuses can begin discussions around staff capacity, curriculum success, and sunsetting programs, ultimately strengthening their sustainability and easing accreditation work.

Dr. Bill Knight has two roles on campus—working on IR and IE, and serving as the accreditation liaison. He is also a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Host: Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director of Learning Strategy, SCUP, and Former Provost, John Carroll University

Institutions Mentioned: Miami University, Miami University-Oxford
Planning Types: Continuity Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Resource Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Accreditation, Alignment, COVID-19, Response Planning

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
January 1, 2018

An Exploration of Administrative Bloat in American Higher Education

By: Thomas Wesley Williamson, E. Shannon Hughes, Penny L. Head

Administrative bloat, the ballooning growth of administrative functions and personnel in U.S. higher education, is the unintended consequence of several factors and can be mitigated to some extent through deliberate strategies.

From Volume 46 Number 2 | January–March 2018

Abstract: This article evaluates administrative bloat, the ballooning growth of administrative functions and personnel, in American higher education. This evaluation was undertaken through a review of the available literature describing administrative bloat. Though unintentional, increased spending and government requirements for accountability may have contributed to overall growth and cost in higher education. Similarly, the changing composition of faculty—in terms of tenure-track faculty, annual contracts, and adjunct faculty—may have also played a role in the increased influence that administration has over campus policy and curricular decisions. Strategies to mitigate the cost of administrative bloat and to balance campus decisions between faculty and administration are suggested.

Institutions Mentioned: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Georgia
Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Administrative Program Review, Governance

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