Working groups develop project proposals at Aug. 3 mini-summit

The 15 strategic initiative working groups will present their final projects plans during the final mini-summit on Aug. 31. (Photos by Erin Pence)

The 15 strategic initiative working groups continued to develop project proposals that could be included in the strategic plan during Wright State University’s latest mini-summit on Aug. 3.

The projects plans include actions to carry out the ideas, milestones, metrics to measure success, a timeline to roll out the project and resources needed.

Since May, hundreds of staff, faculty, students, alumni and community partners have gathered for five mini-summit sessions to develop project proposals to include in the strategic plan and shape the university’s future. They started by brainstorming their “most important goal” for Wright State, then volunteered to join one of 15 strategic initiative working groups tasked with developing proposed project ideas.

During mini-summit 4, on July 13, the working groups presented roughly 75 project ideas, designed to have high impact on Wright State University. They have since refined their best ideas, based on feedback from mini-summit participants and university leaders.

The working groups will present their final projects plans during the final mini-summit on Friday, Aug. 31, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the first-floor gallery space at 2455 Presidential Drive. 

Please RSVP for the session on the strategic planning website.

Supervisors and managers are encouraged to provide employees with the time to attend as business conditions allow. Participants are encouraged to wear green and gold to show their Wright State spirit.

Project ideas from the strategic initiative working groups are available for review on the strategic planning website. The ideas are organized around the themes of collaborative delivery of services; research, innovation and entrepreneurship; strategic relationships and partnerships; teaching, learning and programming; and the Wright State experience.

Potential project ideas are organized around the themes of collaborative delivery of services; research, innovation and entrepreneurship; strategic relationships and partnerships; teaching, learning and programming; and the Wright State experience.

Some of the project ideas under consideration include creating new spaces for student engagement, eliminating paper forms on campus, offering core courses online and providing every student with an experiential learning opportunity.

Academic-focused ideas include implementing inter-collegiate undergraduate degree programs from diverse disciplines; developing a combined dining commons, kitchen, farm and food curriculum; and creating an entrepreneurship center to encourage a culture of innovation.

Some proposals focus on university operations, including providing time for employees for training, mentoring and community service; creating an environment of trust and transparency; and holding university summits.

Other working groups have proposed projects with an external focus, including establishing an office of community/corporate engagement; attracting more military personnel to enroll in classes; and opening a university welcome center.

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.

The university expects to deliver the strategic plan to the Board of Trustees in October for its approval.