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Blog Post

Published
September 2, 2025

How Strategic Is Your Strategic Plan?

Identify Its Shortcomings and Ask Key Questions

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
November 21, 2023

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Overcoming a $90M Budget Overage in Vanderbilt University’s Residential Colleges

A Multifaceted Team Worked Collaboratively to Stem Overruns

The University, architects, engineers, strategic planning consultants, and contractor teams worked hand in hand to peel back the onion to stem the overruns.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: When Vanderbilt University began seeing signs that cost escalation, scope additions, campus requirements, and authentic Collegiate Gothic architecture for their proposed new residence halls were all pressuring the budget, a multifaceted team worked collaboratively and arduously to stem the overruns.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
June 29, 2023

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What Is Your Crisis ‘What If’?

Create a Sustainable Approach to Emergency Response Planning

The Medical College of Wisconsin planned strategically, engaged executive leadership, and operationalized an Administrative Response Team to navigate critical incidents impacting the university.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 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

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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Blog Post

Published
July 6, 2022

What Is a Bridge Plan?

(And Does Your Institution Need One?)

A bridge plan allows a college or university to continue to pursue defined strategic pathways during times of uncertainty or rapid, unpredictable change. It’s also a good solution for when faculty and staff are overwhelmed due to a highly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment.

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Example Plans

Published
May 31, 2022

Supporting Document

Public (British Columbia, Canada)

A series of thorough, heavily sourced environmental scanning reports developed by the institution’s institutional effectiveness department to support its strategic planning process.

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Example Plans

Published
May 31, 2022

Academic Plan

Multiple Locations

This academic plan document enumerates the institution’s academic goals and strategies, with special focus on generating or enhancing interdisciplinary connections between the primary academic themes.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
April 6, 2022

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 3

Different Conditions Require a Different Kind of Planning

Higher education has faced major changes for some time—COVID-19 accelerated that volatility—and now we’re anticipating the demographic downslope in student enrollment. How and when should institutions mobilize for the difficult work of planning in the face of wrenching change?

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: Part 1 of this series described a major contraction in the pool of college-going 18-year-olds that will reverse decades of growth and stability for higher education. Part 2 explored how we can shape a planning context that supports success in the coming 10 or 20 years. Part 3 suggests how our approach to planning must shift to prepare for abrupt change.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 16, 2021

Developing Programs and Facilities for Next Generation Industry Leaders

We'll illustrate how industry-academic partnerships led to the reimagining of vocational education in a new, didactic facility for construction sciences.
Abstract: With a shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry, the construction technology program at North Lake College aims to close that gap while creating an attractive, career-focused educational alternative to the traditional four-year college degree. We'll illustrate how industry-academic partnerships led to the reimagining of vocational education in a new, didactic facility for construction sciences. Come find out how your institution can inspire the next generation of industry leaders by elevating vocational education programs and facilities.

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$50