Learning Resources

Abstract: A Guide to Planning for Change summarizes the new and emerging challenges facing leaders of colleges and universities; discusses new techniques and tools (most notably, analytics) to create an enhanced model for planning in higher education; takes the reader back through the history of planning and strategy execution in higher education by outlining its many eras and stages of development, and highlights the latest thinking and writing on the topic on integrated planning. The enhanced planning model in this book recognizes the many internal, external, up, down, and sideways forces, challenges, and opportunities facing higher education. In the end, it is the successful execution of strategy that will have a lasting impact on the institution.

Abstract: What does it take to plan for and move from a two-year to a four-year institution and implement a baccalaureate degree in applied psychology? Here’s how Kwantlen University College (BC) did it.

Abstract: A strategic planning model for colleges and universities is presented which integrates competitive benchmarking and an adaptation of Hill’s manufacturing strategy model. Hill’s model is altered to focus on student-winners and is used to design programs of study and supporting services. Benchmarking is used as a key component of the planning process. This model is based on integrating program strategy with recruiting strategy to satisfy the needs of stakeholders including students, faculty and industry recruiters. A planning context is developed and a modeling example is presented. This paper responds to the need for improvements in traditional strategic planning in higher education to develop a more holistic and integrative approach.

Abstract: Four distinct waves can be discerned in the history of American higher education. The 85 years before the Civil War were characterized by the founding of hundreds of liberal arts colleges. The post–Civil War era saw the majority of these small colleges disappear, replaced by public land-grant schools. Around the turn of the last century, the giants of American industry led the founding of the great private research universities. The term "megaversity" entered the American lexicon after World War II, when thousands of returning GIs swelled the ranks of higher education; the second half of the 20th century also witnessed the proliferation of community colleges. The fifth great wave is now breaking, with for-profit competition and revolutionary teaching technologies among its main characteristics.

Abstract: In this article, we discuss a method for developing and writing scenarios for a college or university. We begin by reviewing the general literature on scenarios; we then detail a scenario development project at Arizona State University. This project, conducted in 1988–89, was Arizona State University's first institution-wide, futures-based planning and scenario development effort. The focus of the project for Arizona State University was planning and programming for affirmative action. An outside consultant facilitated the group-process portion of the project and instructed university staff in scenario development. Staff in the university's Office of Institutional Analysis then developed and wrote a set of three scenarios to guide the university's affirmative action programming and planning during the decade of the nineties.

Abstract: Among the many reforms currently sweeping higher education is the growing demand that formal educational opportunity be opened to adults. The result has been expansion of traditional continuing education and extension programs as well as a plethora of new and experimental programs aimed at the adult student. In an attempt to bring some order out of the resulting chaos, Jane Lord, a researcher for Educational Facilities Laboratories, and Ronald H. Miller, project coordinator for the New York City Regional Center for Life-Long Learning at Pace College, have reviewed the literature on adult education to produce this article, discussing the trends and the options open to institutions of higher education. An extensive bibliography is included.