First Wright State strategic planning mini-summit produces ideas for most important overall goal

The first Wright State strategic planning mini-summit on May 18 drew about 90 students, faculty, staff and alumni, who discussed goals that will be used to formulate a strategic plan that maps out the future of the university. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Help students attain their goals and positively impact their communities. Solve the world’s great challenges in our own backyard. Have every student engage in experiential learning. Promote inclusivity and access. Provide top return on investment.

These were among possible “most important goals” voiced during Wright State University’s mini-summit, the first of six such sessions that will be used to formulate a strategic plan that maps out the future of the university.

The May 18 summit drew about 90 participants, a good mix of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“We have a lot of new faces here, which is great,” President Cheryl B. Schrader told the group in opening the summit. “I hope you will also help to bring other people to the table as well as we go through this process this summer.”

The summit was designed to form project work teams and solicit ideas for what should be the university’s most important overall strategic goal.

David Bright, co-chair of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, said the big goal ideas will be used as a foundation to gather even more feedback and to draft a strategy statement.

“We will develop and refine all the statements in our strategic plan throughout the summer,” said Bright, chair of the Department of Management and International Business. “The elements are emerging. As we continue to conversations around these elements, the pieces will become clearer.”

Summit participants were organized into small working groups and asked to focus on one of 15 strategic initiatives focusing on themes such as collaborative delivery of services; research, innovation and entrepreneurship; strategic relationships and partnerships; teaching, learning and programming; and the Wright State experience.

Summit participants were organized into small working groups and asked to focus on one of 15 strategic initiatives that will be incorporated into the strategic plan.

Groups shared many ideas about how to make sure that Wright State is known as a high-value and impactful university — elevating the school’s reputation among alumni and donors; empowering faculty and staff to develop community partnerships; making professional development of faculty and staff an ongoing process; providing students with global, cross-cultural, immersive experiences; and delivering high-quality online education.

Through the strategic planning process, the university is creating an ongoing dialogue that encourages continuous reflection and revision of the community’s hopes and priorities. The planning process is designed to help faculty, staff and students engage and reconnect with others across the university and with partners in the broader community in meaningful ways. Over time, this process will help the Wright State community shape both its culture and future.

The new strategic plan will guide Wright State University by creating a vision and focus that directly aligns resources with the community’s values, strengths and the strategy built around them. The planning process will put the institution in a position to thrive in higher education’s changing environment, help the university achieve financial sustainability and foster a campus atmosphere that provides graduates with opportunities to excel in fields that define the future.

Future mini-summits will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the first-floor gallery space at 2455 Presidential Drive on the dates below.

June 1: Session 2: Develop Goals and Objectives
June 22: Session 3: Develop Lists of Actions
July 13: Session 4: Evaluate and Prioritize Actions
August 3: Session 5: Identify Metrics, Resources, and Milestones
August 31: Session 6: Assemble the Strategic Plan

Anyone is welcome to participate, even if you cannot attend each session.

RSVP through the strategic planning website.

Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to attend any of the five remaining strategic planning mini-summits scheduled throughout the summer.