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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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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
August 18, 2025

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Strategic Alignment for Degree Completion

Leverage an Integrated Planning Approach to Improve Credit Momentum and Student Success

By: Nicole DeCapua, EdD, Mildred Mihlon, PhD, and Tracy Louisse S. Chacon, MEd

By coordinating cross-functional teams, employing real-time data, and strengthening communication systems, a university bolstered student retention and completion without requiring new funding or staff.

From Volume 53 Number 4 | July–September 2025

Abstract: This article presents how a small, resource-constrained university leveraged integrated institutional planning to launch a 30-credit completion strategy that significantly improved student momentum, graduation rates, and institutional planning culture. By coordinating cross-functional teams, employing real-time data, and strengthening communication systems, the university built a scalable and sustainable framework that bolstered student retention and completion without requiring new funding or staff. This case offers a roadmap for similarly situated institutions aiming to align credit accumulation initiatives with broader strategic goals to drive measurable student success outcomes.

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Blog Post

Published
August 11, 2025

From Promise to Progress: Join the Inter-association Well-being Collaborative (IWC)

Elevating Campus Well-being through Collaboration and Systems Thinking

By: SCUP

SCUP is participating in the the Inter-association Well-being Collaborative (IWC)—a new, unified movement to transform well-being in higher education from siloed efforts to systemic impact. You're invited to share your stories and examples of how your institution is taking systems-level approaches to support campus well-being.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 17, 2025

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Co-Locate and Consolidate to Create Connected Campuses

Grow in Place Rather Than Add More Space Where Students Will Succeed

By: Elliot Felix, MArch

You can share spaces, support services, staffing, and technology systems within your institution and with external partners. This reduces costs while improving outcomes such as retention, graduation, and career placement rates.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: Colleges and universities have a traditional way to meet new needs. When there is a new research initiative, degree program, or student support function, institutions add space. Despite good intentions, their siloed structures, poor strategic planning, and history of continuous expansion mean that institutions adapt by adding. The result: Campuses are overbuilt and underutilized. Instead of shared spaces and seamless, supportive experiences, we’re left with sprawling campuses and spiraling costs. With enrollments, research funding, and our climate all changing, it’s time for a new model and a new mantra: Grow in place rather than add more space.

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Conference Presentations,Conference Recordings

Published
June 17, 2025

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At the Edge: Connecting Campus and Community Through Transformative Reuse

By: Joe Banks, Director of Construction, Wesleyan University | Tom Davies, Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction, Amherst College | Jason Forney, Principal, Bruner/Cott Architects

Every campus has underused edges it can leverage as important connections to community within and beyond its boundaries Transformative reuse provides an opportunity to deploy new programs, restore important historic structures, and foster community in different ways. In this session, we’ll discuss how Wesleyan University and Amherst College invested in an underused, historic campus-edge buildings to develop a nexus for creative community, a student run hub, and a think tank for the humanities.
Abstract: Every campus has underused edges it can leverage as important connections to community within and beyond its boundaries Transformative reuse provides an opportunity to deploy new programs, restore important historic structures, and foster community in different ways. In this session, we’ll discuss how Wesleyan University and Amherst College invested in an underused, historic campus-edge buildings to develop a nexus for creative community, a student run hub, and a think tank for the humanities. You will discover parallels and ways of employing similar strategies to create meaningful connections between the campus and community. Furthermore, we’ll demonstrate how the reuse of existing buildings offers design inspiration while avoiding the embodied carbon of building new.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Revitalizing Mid-20th-century Campus Buildings for 21st-century Science

Abstract: Many institutions have legacy STEM facilities that no longer support their teaching, research, and sustainability goals. The University of Virginia's (UVA) Gilmer Hall and Chemistry Building project provides valuable insight into planning and operating a major renovation for STEM disciplines. This project has strategically repositioned UVA's main science buildings for better outcomes in teaching, research, and high-performance sustainability. Come learn how to balance cost, function, aesthetics, and sustainability in developing the most effective planning and design solutions for major STEM renovations, as well as actively manage these facilities to fully leverage their new capabilities.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Delivering a Renovated Learning Commons for an Engaged Academic Community

Abstract: Integrated planning is essential for delivering campus facilities that support institutional vision and create a strong student academic experience. Juniata College was at a crossroads related to vision and curriculum direction while it was launching a comprehensive campaign that prioritized a library renovation. This session will focus on one provost's vision for planning and designing a learning commons around a new curriculum and share post-occupancy data to define what worked. Come learn how the planning, funding, and design process behind this inclusive facility has dramatically increased library use by students, faculty, and outside groups.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 7, 2025

Promoting Decarbonization and Wellbeing through a Residence Hall Renovation

Abstract: Universities must decide what to do with their high-rise residence halls that don't meet modern standards for energy efficiency and student expectations. Renovation often proves to be the best solution for a variety of reasons. At Boston University (BU), what started as a building systems upgrade evolved into a major renovation, which elevated the student experience, social and emotional wellbeing, and campus decarbonization goals. Using BU's Warren Towers as a model of decision making, this session will help you work through the possibilities of a major renovation on your campus with the aim of meeting student wellbeing and decarbonization objectives.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
March 4, 2025

Collaborative Planning Deepens Town-Gown Relationships

Carlow University Develops a Best-Practice Framework with the City of Pittsburgh

By: Lisa Witzig, PhD, EdD, Michelle Figlar, EdD, and Joy Pugh, EdD

Implementing a four-quadrant assessment of purposeful communication, participatory engagement, collaborative planning, and shared resources produced actionable, impactful, and relevant improvement recommendations for the urban university.

From Volume 53 Number 2 | January–March 2025

Abstract: The president of Carlow University identified the university’s town-gown relationships as needing assessment as the institution embarked on a significant campus revitalization that required close coordination with the City of Pittsburgh. We developed a four-quadrant framework of best practices based on an extensive literature review. To assess town-gown interactions against the framework, we interviewed city and higher education leaders, reviewed the City of Pittsburgh’s and university documents, and analyzed the university’s social media presence. Our process generated specific, actionable recommendations that resulted in the university reorganizing senior leadership position descriptions and responsibilities, revamping its social media strategy, and aligning organizational efforts to increase its visibility.

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 23, 2024

Campus Library Planning to Meet Evolving Student Needs

By: Aaron Shrimplin, Associate Dean, University Libraries, Miami University-Oxford | Nicholas Sillies, Associate, GBBN Architects | Mike Smith, Manager of Operations and Planning, Miami University-Oxford | Zachary Zettler, Principal | Director of Higher Education, GBBN Architects

Libraries impact every student on campus, and as neutral third spaces, libraries are positioned to provide services equitably. Today's library services have expanded from the traditional book stacks to include a range of diverse resources.
Abstract: Libraries impact every student on campus, and as neutral third spaces, libraries are positioned to provide services equitably. Today's library services have expanded from the traditional book stacks to include a range of diverse resources. The master planning process for Miami University's King Library identified renovation projects that transform the ground floors into a dynamic marketplace and active hub that provides access to resources campuswide. Come learn how your institution's library can adapt to stay relevant and useful for students through careful master planning, designing for flexibility, and forming strategic partnerships for student resources.

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