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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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Trends for Higher Education

Published
November 14, 2025

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Trends for Higher Education | The Student Voices Edition

This special issue of Trends describes student perspectives on four trends featured in recent issues of Trends for Higher Education: AI, personal finances, enrollment and attrition, and international students. Learn more about the opinions, reactions, and perspectives students have about these critical topics, preparing your institution to engage with your students in a more informed way.
Abstract: Integrated planning leverages stakeholder insights and knowledge to make better, more informed decisions. No stakeholder is more important than our students, which is why we’re releasing a special issue of Trends focusing on their perspectives.

This Trends for Higher Education: The Student Voices Edition describes student perspectives on four trends featured in recent issues of Trends for Higher Education. Campus Sonar, a social listening firm, collected data from social platforms like Reddit and X to analyze what students are saying about artificial intelligence, their personal finances, enrollment and attrition decisions, and international students.

Learn more about the opinions, reactions, and perspectives students have about these critical issues, preparing your institution to engage with your students in a more informed way.

Use this report to:
  • Inform your student stakeholder engagement strategies
  • Develop questions for student surveys and focus groups
  • Benchmark against findings from your student stakeholder engagement efforts
  • Add context to what you’ve learned about your students and their perspectives

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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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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 16, 2025

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Keeping the Focus Month by Month

Improve Stakeholder Engagement and Outcomes with a Goal Communications Calendar

By: Tina Dee, MS

By strategically aligning monthly communications with its institutional goals, Muskegon Community College increased its connection with students, employees, and the community while reinforcing a shared sense of ownership.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: Muskegon Community College’s (MCC) Goal in Focus communications program reshaped stakeholder engagement and strengthened institutional alignment, driving more effective strategic outcomes. Grounded in the Society for College and University Planning’s Integrated Planning Competencies, our approach fostered a planning culture that is transparent, adaptable, and collaborative. By strategically aligning monthly communications with its institutional goals, MCC increased engagement with students, employees, and the community while reinforcing a shared sense of ownership. A goal-focused communications calendar enriches sustainability, builds relationships, strengthens alignment, and improves preparedness for change.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

All Things Considered: Collaborative Approaches to Academic Program Proposals

By: Ashley Strong-Green, Director of Academic Planning and Assessment | Mickey Williford, Vice President

Academic program misalignment can have serious consequences for institutions, such as a lack of support for competing priorities and unwieldy maintenance of administrative oversight.
Abstract: Academic program misalignment can have serious consequences for institutions, such as a lack of support for competing priorities and unwieldy maintenance of administrative oversight. Students may also obtain degrees that are difficult to explain or find themselves caught in programs that require teach-outs to complete a discontinued course of study. This session will cover how planners can strategically invest institutional resources in academic program proposals to ensure programs are student centered, institutionally aligned, and collaborative. Join us to discover how you can effectively analyze and align programs, engage stakeholders, and manage expectations for academic programs at your institution.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
December 15, 2023

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Survival of the Financially Fittest

Leverage Strategic Decision-Making and Key Financial Metrics to Achieve Financial Stability

By: Aaron Meis, EdD, and Julee Gard, EdD

Leaders must look closely at financial trends that may reveal signs of trouble—in the short or immediate term—and have the courage to act to address them.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: This article explores a methodology for assessing and managing the financial viability of private, tuition-dependent institutions as well as institutional tactics and strategies used to improve their financial strength. The resulting model will help institutions understand the trends and predictive value of key financial metrics directly impacting their liquidity and operations and how senior leadership can drive change. Institutional examples illustrate how to engage senior leadership in strategic decision-making that includes assessment of revenue growth and/or expense management.

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Blog Post

Published
October 5, 2023

Listen Up Leaders

Two-Way Communication Is Important in Establishing Trust

By: Apryl Motley, CAE, SASM

To gain additional insight into strategies for establishing trust between stakeholders and their leaders, we turned to Sonia Alvarez-Robinson, associate vice president for strategy and organizational effectiveness, Georgia Institute of Technology.

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Blog Post

Published
August 9, 2023

6 Integrated Planning Strategies and Tips We Learned at SCUP 2023

By: SCUP

Every year at SCUP’s annual conference, over 1,000 of higher education’s leaders and innovators gather to share how they are advancing integrated planning at their college or university. Out of the wealth of tools, strategies, and tips shared at SCUP 2023, which took place earlier this month in Cleveland, here are six that stood out.

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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

By: Jessica A. Luedtke, PhD, and Mary M. Reinke, MBA, MS

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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Webinar Recordings

Published
December 7, 2022

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The Provost Bookshelf: Start, Stop, or Grow?

A Data-informed Approach To Academic Program Evaluation And Management

By: Robert Gray Atkins, Gray Associates | Nicholas Santilli, Society for College and University Planning

Author, and founder of Gray Associates, Robert Gray Atkins joins us for a conversation about his book Start, Stop, or Grow?: A Data-informed Approach To Academic Program Evaluation And Management.
Abstract: Author, and founder of Gray Associates, Robert Gray Atkins joins us for a conversation about his book Start, Stop, or Grow?: A Data-informed Approach To Academic Program Evaluation And Management. Along with moderator Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy at SCUP, we will explore a mission-driven, data-informed program review process outlining how provosts can lead a robust academic planning process focused on determining which programs to start, stop, or grow.

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