Learning Resources

Trends Outside Higher Education | Fall 2021

From the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic to the impacts of climate change, colleges and universities continue to face an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—VUCA. Learn the key trends and movements that might become our “new normal.” This issue broadly explores trends outside of higher education.

Abstract: We’ve organized Trends using STEEP: Social, Technology, Economic, Environmental, and Political. Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 15, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Integrating Planning at the Organizational, Unit, and Individual Level

By: Mecca Salahuddin, Alamo Colleges

This session will demonstrate how our Integrated Performance Excellence Framework (IPEF) guides planning at multiple levels of the institution, all of which are tied to our strategic policy, plan, and processes.

Abstract: The ability to integrate planning at multiple levels—organizational, unit, and individual—strengthens our ability to formulate and implement strategies. This session will demonstrate how our Integrated Performance Excellence Framework (IPEF) guides planning at multiple levels of the institution, all of which are tied to our strategic policy, plan, and processes. You will be able to identify potential gaps and solutions within your institution's planning activities to create better alignment with your strategic plan and integrate the work at multiple levels of the organization.

Institutions Mentioned: Alamo Community College District Central Office
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Campus Planning, Continuity Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning, Information Technology Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Resource Planning, Strategic Enrollment Management Planning, Strategic Planning, Student Affairs Planning, Sustainability Planning
Tags: Alignment, Planning Processes, SCUP 2021 Annual Conference, Unit Planning

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 19, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

President’s Panel

Transforming and Reimagining Higher Education for the Future

By: Frances Bronet, Pratt Institute | Kerstin Mey, University of Limerick | Vianne Timmons, Memorial University

In this session, three college and university presidents from the United States, Canada, and Europe will reflect on how we can transform and reimagine higher education for the future.

Abstract: SCUP defines integrated planning as a sustainable approach to planning that builds relationships, aligns the organization, and emphasizes preparedness for change. Over the past several years—and particularly in 2020—the world has experienced significant shifts in its sociocultural, economic, and political landscapes. How can higher education institutions use integrated planning to respond nimbly and flexibly to these changes? In this session, three college and university presidents from the United States, Canada, and Europe will reflect on how we can transform and reimagine higher education for the future.

Institutions Mentioned: Memorial University of Newfoundland, Pratt Institute-Main, University of Limerick
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Campus Planning, Resource Planning, Strategic Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Alignment, COVID-19, Environmental Scanning, Higher Ed Trends, Response Planning, SCUP 2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference

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Trends Inside Higher Education | Spring 2021

Within the world of higher education, what are some of today’s key trends—and what are some implications for institutions of higher learning? While the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn much of our focus for a year now, we continue to keep our eyes on other trends and forces. This issue broadly explores trends inside higher education.

Abstract: We’ve organized Trends using STEEP: Social, Technology, Economic, Environmental, and Political. Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
December 2, 2020

5 Questions About the Future of Higher Education

By: James Downey, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Nicholas Santilli, Society for College and University Planning

Join Jim Downey, vice president of planning and institutional effectiveness at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Nick Santilli, SCUP’s senior director of learning, as they use SCUP’s Fall 2020 Trends for Higher Education report to explore “What If?” questions in a practical format that will allow your team to pinpoint areas for institutional advancement.

Abstract: There are a multitude of internal and external forces that impact higher education, but how can you be intentional about examining and understanding these trends? From demographic shifts to political charges to social movements, the evolving economy and technology, regular environmental scanning will inform decisions around your strategic plan development or plan implementation.

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Trends Outside Higher Education | Fall 2020

How is the world outside your institution changing? While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact every aspect of our lives, other trends and forces are worth watching. This issue broadly explores trends outside higher education.

Abstract: We’ve organized Trends using STEEP: Social, Technology, Economic, Environmental, and Political. Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Webinar Recordings

Published
July 15, 2020

Coffee Chat: Tracking the External Environment

The SCUP Spring Trends Report

By: Nick Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, SCUP | James Downey, Vice President for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Join Nick Santilli and Jim Downey for a conversation that will highlight the SCUP Spring Trends and SCUP Trends for Canada reports. Scanning the external environment is a key factor in keeping your institution nimble and change-ready—two facets necessary for effective institutional planning. These documents are essential tools for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.

Abstract: Join Nick Santilli and Jim Downey for a conversation that will highlight the SCUP Spring Trends and SCUP Trends for Canada reports. Scanning the external environment is a key factor in keeping your institution nimble and change-ready—two facets necessary for effective institutional planning. These documents provide overviews of the important external forces that impact institutional operations. They are also essential tools for strategic planning, scenario planning, and contingency planning.

Planning Types: Continuity Planning, Campus Planning, Academic Planning, Information Technology Planning, Student Affairs Planning, Strategic Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Environmental Scanning, Scenario Planning, Trends External to Higher Ed

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Trends: Canada 2020

This special issue of Trends focuses on the forces and events affecting Canadian higher education. Our guest editors contributed observations, trends, and insights based on their work within Canadian colleges and universities.

Abstract: We’ve organized Trends using STEEP: Social, Technology, Economic, Environmental, and Political. Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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Trends Inside Higher Education | Spring 2020

The pace of change keeps speeding up. This issue focuses on forces and changes directly impacting higher education, now and in the future.

Abstract: From new learning technologies to upcoming legislation, the focus is on what’s next for colleges and universities, with questions that can help your institution keep up with change.

We’ve organized Trends using STEEP: Social, Technology, Economic, Environmental, and Political. Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.

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Blog Post

Published
October 11, 2019

5 Ways to Use Environmental Scanning

By: The SCUP Learning Team: Sadie Wutka, Director of Content Strategy | Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director of Learning Strategy

The practice of environmental scanning is often a first step in the strategic planning process. Typically, planning teams engage in an exhaustive analysis of the internal and external forces acting on the institution to set the planning context. But should scanning the internal and external environment be limited to the early phases of strategic planning?

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