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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
December 10, 2025

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A Day-in-the-Life of a College Planner . . . in 2030

AI Reimagines Higher Education Planning

By: Linda Baer, PhD, Colleen Carmean, PhD, Joseph (Tim) Gilmour, PhD, and Donald Norris, PhD

The authors invite readers to join them on a journey into the future, five years ahead. Step into the shoes of a higher education planner in the year 2030 and see firsthand how transformative ideas might reshape your day and decisions.

From Volume 54 Number 1 | October–December 2025

Abstract: To put their thinking about AI into practice, the article authors asked ChatGPT to help craft day-in-the-life scenarios for an invented higher education planner in the year 2030. Using a series of prompts, they requested an applied breakdown of that planner’s day. Initial ideas and about two-thirds of the scenarios were conceived by ChatGPT in response to those prompts.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
December 1, 2025

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Coordinating Complexity

Streamline Institutional Change Through Integrated Planning

By: Will Miller, PhD, Danielle Farris, MS, Katelyn Nelson, BS, and Nicole Wallace, BS

The authors replaced a costly, time-intensive model with a SharePoint-based system to transform sprawling processes into responsive systems for growth.

From Volume 54 Number 1 | October–December 2025

Abstract: With over 100 programs and 113 sites across 28 states and multiple countries, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University faced mounting complexity in managing institutional changes.

Previously, each change we made required meetings with up to 30 participants from more than 20 offices, including Financial Aid, Facilities, Academic Affairs, IT, and Site Management.

Through integrated planning, we replaced that costly, time-intensive model with a SharePoint- based system for asynchronous collaboration. The shift fostered transparency, reduced delays, and empowered cross-functional alignment. The project exemplifies how intentional design and relationship-building can transform sprawling processes into coordinated, responsive systems prepared for institutional growth and change.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 8, 2025

Decisions That Stick: Applying the CBA Matrix to Complex Projects

Abstract: The Choosing by Advantage (CBA) Matrix is a powerful tool for decision-making in the design and construction industry, from the planning process through project completion, and it delivers efficiency through fewer changes. CBAs take all stakeholders into account when defining advantages, so campus planners can achieve quality, an on-time schedule, and cost savings at every stage. Via simulation, we'll demonstrate how you can apply CBAs across all phases of a project. By presenting and providing step-by-step, compelling visuals, our team will enable you to implement CBAs tactically and early in your next project.

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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
October 29, 2024

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The Devil and the Detail

Using Headcount and FTE in the Planning Process

By: Karen E. Hinton, PhD

Often, student, faculty, and staff headcount and FTE can be misunderstood and misused. Understanding crucial factors about these data sets can strengthen the planning process.

From Volume 52 Number 4 | July–September 2024

Abstract: Everyone involved in planning activities will be aware of the use of data in the process. Data-driven planning is ubiquitous in all planning processes but can be a weak spot for many planners. The difficulty for most people is that the very mention of “data” can make eyes glaze over. Some of the least understood and most misused data are student, faculty, and staff headcount and FTE (full-time equivalent). Understanding some critical factors about these data sets can help demystify them and strengthen the planning process.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

What’s In It For Me? The Benefits of Data Asset Management

By: Elizabeth Greaney, Chief Business/Financial Strategy Officer | Surayya Johnson, Director of the Office of Student Life| Paul Miller, Professional Development Director | Nadine Porter, Deputy Chief Analytics and Insights Officer

Data is a pillar for organizational mission and for driving results. Planners must not undervalue the importance of data-informed decision-making and its link to institutional wellbeing and sustainability. Montgomery College's (MC) integrated planning incorporated robust community input that culminated into a successfully built plan that supports agility and flexibility.
Abstract: Data is a pillar for organizational mission and for driving results. Planners must not undervalue the importance of data-informed decision-making and its link to institutional wellbeing and sustainability. Montgomery College's (MC) integrated planning incorporated robust community input that culminated into a successfully built plan that supports agility and flexibility. MC continuously reminds and educates the campus community about 'what's in it for me' and the benefits of collaborating on this growth mindset. This session will demonstrate how data-driven planning fosters ownership, accountability, buy-in, and increases effectiveness and trustworthiness of institutional decision-making, resulting in positive outcomes and decreased risk.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Leveraging Your Resources to Build a Comprehensive, Data-driven Strategic Plan

By: Gianna Darrow, Executive Director of Data Analytics and Strategic Planning | Jimmy Jung, Senior Vice Chancellor | Marsha Lowery, Vice Chancellor for Student Academic Success

Institutions can align their needs with innovation and insight by creating a strong integration of data and research processes for a data-driven, impactful strategic plan. We'll demonstrate how to build a data-driven strategic plan by applying research methodologies, leveraging public data, optimizing institutional data, and constructing a content analysis.
Abstract: Institutions can align their needs with innovation and insight by creating a strong integration of data and research processes for a data-driven, impactful strategic plan. We'll demonstrate how to build a data-driven strategic plan by applying research methodologies, leveraging public data, optimizing institutional data, and constructing a content analysis. You'll come away from this session with a blueprint to integrate into your own planning processes that will bolster your data skills and provide you with a mechanism to weave together planning with data-driven insights.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

It’s Alive! Georgia Tech’s Bold, Comprehensive Campus Plan

By: Juan Archila, Academic & Research Facilities Infrastructure Director | Laurence Brennan, Campus Planner | Megha Sinha, Principal, Urban Design and Planning | Rama Sivakumar, Senior Research Engineer

Planning for certainty in higher education's unpredictable climate is impossible.
Abstract: Planning for certainty in higher education's unpredictable climate is impossible. The living framework, a geographic information system-based (GIS) tool, gives institutions agency to adjust scenarios and measure impacts against set metrics to facilitate decision making and guide capital plans. Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) applies this integrated planning process for long-term relevancy as campus priorities and external factors evolve, the impacts of hybrid work emerge, and unexpected ideas develop. You can use GT's innovative planning tools and strategies to meaningfully respond to dynamic stakeholder needs, manage institutional complexity, measure sustainability and growth outcomes, and build an effective governance model.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Renew, Revise, or Reject: Presidential Turnover and Strategic Planning Impacts

By: Sandra Patterson-Randles, Chancellor Emerita and Professor of English

Since the average presidential tenure is now fewer than six years, campuses need to design and implement circumspect planning which will prove stable even in the event of leadership changes. Using examples from eight institutions across the U.S., this session explores the challenges to campus strategic planning when new leadership arrives.
Abstract: Since the average presidential tenure is now fewer than six years, campuses need to design and implement circumspect planning which will prove stable even in the event of leadership changes. Using examples from eight institutions across the U.S., this session explores the challenges to campus strategic planning when new leadership arrives. Campus constituencies will be able to weather the uncertainties of a presidential transition through a detailed understanding of commonly experienced impacts on campus planning.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Strategic Restructuring: Creating an Office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis

By: Christine Hoyt, Vice President for Strategy | Ben Pingel, Director of Strategic Planning and Communication | Eija Sumner, Communications Coordinator | Jon Walter, Assistant Vice President for System Strategy and Insight

Institutions require accurate data to support decision making and planning, so they can and should carefully consider how this data is organized.
Abstract: Institutions require accurate data to support decision making and planning, so they can and should carefully consider how this data is organized. As higher education continues to evolve to meet new challenges, there are significant opportunities to rethink how institutions are organized to benefit from blending the power of institutional strategy, integrated planning, and analytics. Washington State University (WSU) has evolved to combine these institutional functions into a central unit. This session will show you how to embrace collaborative partnerships and organize similar functions at your institution to bring focus, coordination, and alignment to your institutional planning.

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