Learning Resources

The Strategic Planning Checklist

17 Critical Mistakes to Avoid in Higher Education

By: Dr. Daniel Seymour - Tenured Professor, Administrator, and Consultant

Learn from a research-based analysis of over 250 colleges and universities.

Abstract: Learn from a research-based analysis of over 250 colleges and universities. What is the difference between the Strategic Plan and Strategic Planning? How do we ensure planning is not a one-time event, but an ongoing organizational learning cycle that endures the changing environment? The analytic framework featured in this webinar is a Strategic Planning/Organizational Planning Cycle that derives a series of “what not to do” dictums (guidelines?) that support higher education institutions. Don’t make these critical mistakes derail you during these uncertain times

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Organizational Change, Original Research, Planning Processes

Member Price:
Free | Login

Non-Member Price:
$35

Blog Post

Published
April 1, 2024

Navigating Student Success

‘Navigators’ Are Critical in Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Institution-Wide Initiative

By: Apryl Motley, CAE

To gain additional insight into how integrated planning to support student success can be a game changer, we turned to Paula Stossel, strategic advisor to the president for student success, and Amber Racchini, vice provost for student academic success, at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They graciously accepted our invitation to address questions about their cross-functional effort to ensure a student-centered approach to delivery of support services at IUP.

Institutions Mentioned: Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Alignment, Engaging Stakeholders, Organizational Change, Student Engagement, Student Experience, Student Retention, Student Services, Student Success, Student Support Services

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Conference Presentations

Published
March 5, 2024

Designing for Belonging and Mattering in Higher Education

By: Kristen Ambrose, HKS, Inc. | Gina Fernandes, North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Students’ sense of belonging is strongly connected to wellbeing and academic success. How does a student develop a sense of belonging and mattering and what does that look like in the campus built environment?

Abstract: Students’ sense of belonging is strongly connected to wellbeing and academic success. How does a student develop a sense of belonging and mattering and what does that look like in the campus built environment? In this session, we’ll explore the critical themes of belonging and mattering for design in higher education to illustrate how design choices can shape student experiences. Join us to explore how you can asses campus spaces for belonging and mattering and make quick design interventions to effect meaningful change.

Resource Types: Campus Planning, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Student Experience

Member Price:
$35 | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Book Review: “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”

Resistance to Change in Higher Education

By: John Kilmarx, PhD

From Volume 52 Number 2 | January–March 2024

Abstract: Brian Rosenberg, the author of “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”: Resistance to Change in Higher Education, argues that improvements in higher education are needed—which is certainly not a controversial or surprising outlook. However, he also says many institutions are on an unsustainable financial path, which makes the imperatives for change more urgent. What exactly needs to be addressed and how dramatically, though, is a matter of one’s perspective. The reviewer observes that in most cases, sustainable changes have been ongoing but incremental, not transformational. Some stakeholders might celebrate that fact. In other corners, this is not enough, and so frustrations abound.

Tags: Change Management, Disruptive Change, Organizational Change

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Responsive Design

Planning Living Spaces for Neurodiverse Students

By: James A. Baumann, ACUHO-I | Shannon Dowling, AIA, Ayers Saint Gross | Mary Elliott, EdD, Colorado School of Mines

We invite you to join a discussion on how schools can thrive by taking this inclusive approach to planning and development.

Abstract: With increasing numbers of neurodivergent students on college campuses, intentional design and planning of spaces can better accommodate their needs and improve the experience for all students. We invite you to join a discussion on how schools can thrive by taking this inclusive approach to planning and development.

Institutions Mentioned: Colorado School of Mines
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Student Housing

Member Price:
Free | Login

Non-Member Price:
$35

The Value of Promising Failures and Partial Successes

Visible and Actionable Assessments Can Support a More Equitable Learning Environment

By: Karen Singer-Freeman, PhD

The Grand Challenges Project provides a comprehensive framework for institutions to overcome barriers, promote equity, and advance continuous improvement in higher education evaluation practices.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: The Grand Challenges in Higher Education Assessment Project (The Grand Challenges Project) is a national initiative designed to transform the landscape of assessment practices in ways that will increase equity by encouraging improvements in integrated planning. This article discusses the synergy between the three goals of the Grand Challenges Project: 1) Use Assessment Findings to Increase Equity; 2) Make Assessment Findings Visible and Actionable to Drive Innovation; and 3) Use Assessment Findings to Drive Rapid and Equitable Improvements in Pedagogy. Integrated planning is necessary to advance these goals, and progress toward each goal supports progress toward a more equitable and inclusive system of higher education.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Learning Outcomes, Teaching and Learning

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Eliminating Equity Gaps Through Data and Institutional Change Webinar

By: Dr. Timothy Renick, National Institute for Student Success and Georgia State University

Abstract: For the past decade, Georgia State University (GSU) has been at the leading edge of demographic shifts in the Southeast region. Using data to inform systematic institutional change, GSU has doubled its enrollment of underrepresented populations, raised graduation rates by 70 percent, and closed all achievement gaps based on race, ethnicity, and income level. Through a discussion of innovations—from AI-enhanced chatbots and predictive analytics to meta-majors and micro-grants— this keynote will share lessons learned from GSU's transformation and outline concrete and scalable steps that you can take on your campus to improve outcomes for underserved students while increasing revenues.

Institutions Mentioned: Georgia State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Success, Underserved Students

Member Price:
Free | Login

Non-Member Price:
$35

Blog Post

Published
January 12, 2024

The Grand Challenges in Assessment Project Supports Progress in Integrated Planning

It Links Planning, Resource Allocation, and Assessment in Higher Education

By: Karen Singer-Freeman, PhD, Grand Challenges in Assessment in Higher Education, and Wake Forest University

In recognition of the important role assessment plays in integrated planning, SCUP is an endorsing organization of the Grand Challenge in Assessment Project. In this blog post, we discuss the project and explore how it can help advance integrated planning in higher education.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Learning Outcomes, Teaching and Learning

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Example Plans

Published
November 13, 2023

Example Plan

Private Doctoral/Research University (Maryland, United States)

The research university’s 2023 strategic plan.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Academic Planning, Academic Program Review, Alignment, Community Engagement, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Faculty, Goals, Graduate Degree Program, Learning Environments, Strategies and Tactics, Sustainability (Environmental), Town and Gown

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Supporting Neurodiversity in Higher Education

When Every Space Counts

By: Kathleen Kelly, MBA, AIA, LEED A+P

By integrating several unique campus voices, we can realize that unassignable space is highly valuable to the neurodivergent campus occupant.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: While universities have long been bastions of intellectual diversity, they are now embracing a broader understanding of diversity that extends beyond race, gender, and socioeconomic background. Neurodiversity, a concept celebrating the natural variations in human neurological functioning, is gaining prominence as an essential aspect of fostering a truly inclusive educational environment.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, University of Southern Denmark, Syracuse University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Toronto-Downtown Toronto (St. George), Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Space Assessment

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Planning Types

Challenges