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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
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 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

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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Conference Presentations,Conference Recordings

Published
June 2, 2025

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Planning for Access, Equity, and Belonging at Buffalo State University

As an urban-engaged university, Buffalo State University's strategic commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access has strengthened and diversified student recruitment, raised retention rates, and built community within and beyond the campus. Buffalo State's reputation of providing quality education, access, equity, and engagement requires inclusive, multi-functional spaces that foster a sense of community and develop a welcoming and equity-minded culture for all students.
Abstract: As an urban-engaged university, Buffalo State University's strategic commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access has strengthened and diversified student recruitment, raised retention rates, and built community within and beyond the campus. Buffalo State's reputation of providing quality education, access, equity, and engagement requires inclusive, multi-functional spaces that foster a sense of community and develop a welcoming and equity-minded culture for all students. This session will provide actionable design strategies for reimagining existing campus spaces as learning environments that can build community, foster a sense of belonging, and drive student success.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 7, 2025

Planning for Access, Equity, and Belonging at Buffalo State University

Abstract: As an urban-engaged university, Buffalo State University's strategic commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access has strengthened and diversified student recruitment, raised retention rates, and built community within and beyond the campus. Buffalo State's reputation of providing quality education, access, equity, and engagement requires inclusive, multi-functional spaces that foster a sense of community and develop a welcoming and equity-minded culture for all students. This session will provide actionable design strategies for reimagining existing campus spaces as learning environments that can build community, foster a sense of belonging, and drive student success.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 3, 2025

Rooted Resilience: CSUMB Expands Student Offerings Through Regional Connections

Abstract: California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has modeled social, environmental, and economic resilience planning by forging creative partnerships, expanding student offerings, and cultivating multi-source funding. We'll demonstrate how CSUMB leverages local resources?Äîsuch as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary?Äîto offer world-class opportunities to students who wouldn't typically have access. Join us to gain actionable strategies for creating student-centered, locally-relevant learning environments that support the regional ecosystem, attract industry partnerships, drive local innovation, and boost academic and career outcomes.

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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

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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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
February 14, 2025

Improving Student Support on a Decentralized Campus

Project Management Ensures Campus Stakeholder Buy-in, Cross-Collaboration, and Thorough Communication

Portland State University’s Office of Student Success adopted a project management framework to improve student outcomes, starting with a pilot program to administer hardship funds.

From Volume 53 Number 2 | January–March 2025

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 23, 2024

Campus Library Planning to Meet Evolving Student Needs

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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Conference Presentations

Published
October 23, 2024

Using the Student Success Trifecta to Boost Enrollment and Retention

As higher education faces the demographic cliff, institutions must find ways to boost enrollment, improve retention, and promote student success with a focus on first-generation students, DEI, and students with learning differences.
Abstract: As higher education faces the demographic cliff, institutions must find ways to boost enrollment, improve retention, and promote student success with a focus on first-generation students, DEI, and students with learning differences. This session will define the student success trifecta: boosting student learning in their field of study; encouraging the development of strong interpersonal relationships; and embracing the life skills that come with the college experience. We'll combine research with unique, firsthand experience to demonstrate how promoting engagement and designing for a sense of belonging for students on campus looks different for each individual student, institution, and field of study.

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