Learning Resources

The Future of Planning is . . .

. . . Aligned, Integrated, and Collaborative Institutional Effectiveness

By: Michael Ben-Avie, PhD; Kimberly K. Daugherty, PharmD; Lina Di Genova, PhD; Justin P. Hoshaw, MS; Erin M. Isaacson, MA; Nicholas R. Santilli, PhD; Megan Schramm-Possinger, PhD; and Robert Wilkinson, DEd

IE professionals are both translators and integrators—and universities need these people who know how to interpret the data. Within the context of an IIE office, they assist in developing data-informed strategic plans, financial forecasts, enrollment plans, and other assessments of institutional efficacy.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: The institutions that will thrive in the future will be those that use high-quality, relevant mission-driven data as part of their strategic, integrated planning process. Because of this it is imperative to create integrated institutional effectiveness (IIE) offices that serve as the connective tissue among all units within a college or university. The data and expertise of institutional effectiveness can be leveraged to benefit the institution as a whole. In this article, we discuss the value of creating an IIE office and challenges associated with a centralized infrastructure.

Institutions Mentioned: Quinnipiac University
Planning Types: Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Engaging Stakeholders, Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Planning, Planning Processes

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 3

Different Conditions Require a Different Kind of Planning

By: Bryan C. Harvey, EdD

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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Blog Post

Published
March 17, 2022

Who Are Our Planners—and What Do They Read?

By: Roy Mathew, PhD

October 2021 marked Planning for Higher Education’s 50th issue! To celebrate, we’re looking back at earlier articles in Planning to reflect on how things change (and, sometimes, how they don’t). Planning is an essential resource for all higher education administrators, planning analysts, and theorists from many disciplines. In this post, the author describes each group of planners and identifies the types of information each group can glean from the journal articles.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Institutional Planning, Operational Planning, Strategic Planning, Theory

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Reviewing and Updating Your Mission Statement

By: Nicholas R. Santilli, PhD, SCUP | Sadie Wutka, SCUP

This toolkit will walk you through the steps of evaluating your current mission statement, facilitating the key conversations and decisions that underpin an effective mission statement, and writing a mission statement that serves your institution.

Abstract: An effective mission statement can act as an institution’s North Star—providing a distinct, constant direction that a college or university can travel towards. But frequently, college and university mission statements are too broad, too vague, or too outdated to help institutions navigate today’s challenges and opportunities.

This toolkit will help you craft a mission statement that is both inspirational and useful. It will walk you through the steps of evaluating your current mission statement, facilitating the key conversations and decisions that underpin an effective mission statement, and writing a mission statement that serves your institution.

Planning Types: Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Determining Priorities, Governance, Institutional Effectiveness, Mission / Vision / Identity

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Blog Post

Published
October 2, 2020

Planning for: Changes in Accreditation

By: Stephen G. Pelletier

Accreditation is rapidly changing, creating new challenges and opportunities for colleges and universities. We interviewed Lynn Priddy, executive advisor and provost emeritus at National American University, to discuss these challenges and opportunities and how institutions can prepare.

Planning Types: Academic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Accreditation, Assessment / Analytics

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Collection: Employing Accreditation to Strengthen Planning and Drive Improvement

By: Lynn Priddy (Editor)

Accreditation holds far more potential for an organization's strategic and academic planning than most colleges and universities realize. This collection of SCUP resources includes an introduction to accreditation along with examples of how institutions intentionally employ accreditation at multiple levels to strengthen planning and drive improvement.

Abstract: Too often, colleges and universities treat accreditation as a series of compliance exercises: Do we have the right data? Have we submitted the correct documents? Are we ready for a site visit? But accreditation policies and procedures can do more for your institution . . . if they are aligned with integrated planning efforts.

This collection of SCUP resources can help you take the first steps towards leveraging the accreditation process as a driver of quality and strategy. It includes:

A brief primer on accreditation for those new to the process
Insights on connecting the dots between assessment, analytics, and accreditation at your institution
Reflections on quality assurance efforts in developing countries and what they mean for higher education worldwide
An example of how one institution used accreditation to supercharge efforts towards improving retention and graduation
A discussion of how makerspaces can satisfy certain accreditation standards

Planning Types: Academic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Accreditation, Assessment / Analytics

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Developing a Nimble and Change-Ready Planning Culture

By: Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, SCUP | Larry Squarini, Vice President of Product Development, SPOL | Tony Adam, Senior Training Consultant, SPOL

Panelists Nick Santilli from SCUP and Larry Squarini and Tony Adam from SPOL discuss how integrated planning can help develop a robust culture and take a deep dive into strategic, operational, continuity, and scenario planning.

This is part three of the series, “Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process.”

Abstract: This is the third in a series of complimentary, interactive webinars, “Planning in Times of Crisis and Beyond: Reviving Your Strategic Planning Process,” hosted by SCUP in partnership with SPOL focusing on planning for the new normal and beyond.

Our panel of experts discusses how integrated planning can help develop a robust culture and take a deep dive into strategic, operational, continuity, and scenario planning.

Recorded July 15, 2020.
Moderator: Mike Moss, President, SCUP.

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Planning Types: Strategic Planning, Continuity Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Operational Planning, Organizational Culture, Response Planning, Scenario Planning

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Can You Trust Your Eyes?

Learn How to Minimize Misinterpretation of Data Reports and Visualizations

By: Karen L. Webber

Volumes of data are available to administrators to support decision-making. But that doesn’t mean that what’s been presented is accurate. When data are misused or misconstrued, senior leaders at higher education institutions may make the wrong conclusions, ineffective policies may be enacted, and students may not be successful in completing their academic goals.

From Volume 48 Number 2 | January–March 2020

Abstract: Data analytics related to student and institutional performance have evolved quite rapidly—and continue to advance—as the field of data science captures more attention across the higher education sector. And while data-informed decisions can help institutional leaders achieve their goals, there are increasing examples of analyses or visualizations that, when presented without the proper framework, result in misinterpretation and inaccurate conclusions. Context is critical, and erroneous deductions may lead to decisions that adversely affect student performance, program development, and policy changes.