Learning Resources

Academic Program Portfolio Planning

Preparing to Thrive

By: Steve Probst, Senior Partner, Gray Associates, Inc. (Moderator) | William Massy, Professor Emeritus and Former CFO, Stanford University; Former President, The Jackson Hole Higher Education Group, Inc. | Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, Deputy Vice President, Educational Outreach & Student Services, ASU University; Design Institute Expert in Residence; Former Dean and Senior Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness | Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, Society for College and University Planning (SCUP); Professor Emeritus of Psychology, John Carroll University

In a competitive landscape, it is more important than ever to ensure the programs you offer align with demand in the market. We will discuss the data you need, and where to find it to evaluate market demand for academic programs, including critical data on student demand that is often overlooked.

This is part one of a three-part program series, “Integrated Planning to Build a Thriving Academic Program Portfolio.”

Abstract: This is part one of a three-part program series, “Integrated Planning to Build a Thriving Academic Program Portfolio.” These discussions will help you build a strategic and sustainable program portfolio that is mission-centered, data-informed, student-centered, and focused on growth opportunities.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Academic Program Prioritization, Assessment / Analytics, Data

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Collection: Linking Resource Allocation to Planning and Assessment

Integrated planning is important, but it's not enough—plans must be linked to budgeting and assessment in order to create real change and progress. This collection of SCUP resources will help you learn how to link these three essential processes.

Abstract: If you want to ensure planning makes a real difference for your college or university, one of the best things to do is link it to resource allocation and assessment processes. It's also one of the hardest things to do.

This collection of SCUP resources will help advance the connections between planning, budgeting, and assessment at your institution. It includes:

An adaptable framework one university used to link assessment, strategic planning, and budgeting
Four models for linking budgeting and planning, each based on the budget model your institution employs
A step-by-step outline for developing a linked planning and budgeting process
Advice for linking planning to a decentralized budgeting model

Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Budget / Finance, Resource Allocation

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Non-Member Price:
$45

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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Free | Login

Non-Member Price:
$45

Conference Recordings

Published
July 23, 2020

2020 Annual Conference | July 2020

Critical Concepts and Trends in Assessment, Accreditation, and Program Review

By: Erica Eckert, Assistant Dean, Assessment and Accreditation, Kent State University at Kent | Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director of Learning Strategy, Society for College and University Planning

This session will help you define assessment-related terms (i.e. goals, outcomes, objectives, standards, etc.) and will provide an overview of assessment and accreditation trends that could impact your institution.

Abstract: Assessment professionals speak their own (important) language, and it can be hard to keep up with critical terminology and trends. This session will help you define assessment-related terms (i.e. goals, outcomes, objectives, standards, etc.) and will provide an overview of assessment and accreditation trends that could impact your institution. We will also provide an overview of how this landscape is in flux due to COVID-19, and how this may impact higher education.

Institutions Mentioned: Kent State University at Kent
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Academic Program Review, Accreditation, Assessment / Analytics, COVID-19, SCUP 2020 Annual Conference

Member Price:
$35 | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

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.

This video recording is a member-only resource.
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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.