Learning Resources

What Constitutes Tribal College and University Sustainability?

Research Develops a Framework to Begin the Conversation

By: David Sanders, PhD

Historical successes and challenges join missions, visions, and strategic plans for a glimpse of what TCU institutions are emphasizing, today and in the future.

From Volume 52 Number 2 | January – March 2024

Abstract: This article uses available Tribal College and University (TCU) missions, visions, and strategic plans as well as dissertations focused on TCU research to develop a framework to begin the conversation about what constitutes sustainability for the institutions. The dissertations offer an opportunity to look at historical successes and challenges, while TCU missions, visions, and strategic plans provide a glimpse of what the institutions are emphasizing currently and in the future. Both present elements to consider as part of a larger TCU sustainability framework.

Institutions Mentioned: Institute of American Indian Arts, Diné College, Oglala Lakota College, Sinte Gleska University, Chief Dull Knife College
Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Community College, Community Engagement, Funding, Higher Ed in Society, Mission / Vision / Identity, Original Research, Resiliency, Tribal College or University

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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

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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

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2023 Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) Report

The 2023 Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) report’s valuable facilities benchmarking data will help college and university leaders understand not only what they have now and how it compares, but also how things might change in the future.

Abstract: As leaders of colleges and universities continue to analyze changes today and plan their campuses for the future, the knowledge and insight from the SCUP community is critical. The 2023 Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) report’s valuable facilities benchmarking data will help college and university leaders understand not only what they have now and how it compares, but also how things might change in the future.

The CFI report consists of two sections that provide a holistic picture of today while enabling institutions to crowdsource a vision for the future: current space use data and recent and planned changes to campus facilities.

Data are reported only in aggregate, protecting the privacy of each institution. Reporting focuses on findings and comparison tables by institution type (e.g., four-year public, four-year private, and two-year public), location (e.g., urban, suburban, rural), and size (i.e., in-person student headcount).

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Original Research, Space Assessment, Space Management

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$749

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

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Blog Post

Published
December 11, 2023

Addressing Employee Needs in Higher Education:

A Path to Transformation and Excellence

By: Loren Rullman, PhD, Workshop Architects | Pam Watts, CAE, NIRSA | Kelsey Harmon Finn, Compass Group

In recent years, higher education staff throughout North America have increasingly expressed concern about compensation, work/life balance, and sense of agency over work. 24% of all staff are actively seeking roles outside of higher education, and 70% of staff at large or public universities would consider changing jobs. A recent survey form over 400 college and university staff provides actionable steps for a brighter future.

Tags: Health and Wellness, Human Resources, Original Research

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Free

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Example Plans

Published
August 8, 2023

Strategic Plan, Strategic Planning Website

Public Doctoral/Research University (Colorado, United States)

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Optimizing for Growth

Long-Term Planning Is Essential During an Institutional Merger, Acquisition, and/or Geographic Expansion

By: Clayton Mitchell, MS, PE, CEM, and Chuck Rudalavage, BArch, AIA, LEED AP

Thomas Jefferson University focused on culture, communications, and collaboration during a transformational period of combining institutions.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 2023

Abstract: Accurately planning long-term strategy can be a shaky task for quickly-growing organizations, especially those that desire to maintain a strong impression on their stakeholders and surrounding communities. History shows that mergers and acquisitions can negatively impact an organization’s culture, communication initiatives, and internal and external experiences. Thomas Jefferson University, a longstanding private medical research university in Philadelphia, educating scholars since 1824, in recent years merged with Philadelphia University and further expanded its footprint through the aligned Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The authors of this article describe how to collaboratively optimize growth during a transformational period.

Institutions Mentioned: Thomas Jefferson University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Change Management, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Medical / Allied Health Facility, Organizational Change, Placemaking, Planning Processes, Renovation

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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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Example Plans

Published
May 17, 2023

Bridge Plan

Public Associate’s College (Arizona, United States)

From April 2020, the institution’s president led faculty and staff in a rigorous planning and exploration process to ensure that the college remained accessible and thriving through the pandemic and beyond. This bridge plan document details the action steps resulting from that process.

Planning Types: Continuity Planning
Resource Types: Bridge Plan
Tags: Bridge Planning, Community College, COVID-19, Goals, Hybrid Learning, Leadership Attitude Toward Planning, Online Learning, Operational Planning, Organizational Culture, Response Planning, Scenario Planning, Strategies and Tactics, Student Experience, Teaching and Learning

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Planning Types

Challenges