Strategic planning process enters critical phase

Wright State University will put the finishing touches on the university’s next strategic plan over the next two months, after concluding the fruitful series of mini-summits on Aug. 31. (Photos by Chris Snyder)

During the final mini-summit, the strategic initiative working groups presented their final projects plans.

Wright State University will put the finishing touches on the university’s next strategic plan over the next two months, after concluding the fruitful series of mini-summits on Aug. 31.

In the final, critical phase of the strategic planning process, university leaders, Strategic Planning Steering Committee members and other volunteers will bring together all the input received over the summer, prioritize which strategic initiatives the university should pursue as part of the plan and identify the resources needed to accomplish the goals in the plan.

As Wright State continues to implement the strategic plan, the university will revisit the plan periodically, refocusing its efforts by closing out completed projects, activating other projects or adding new projects.

The university expects to present the strategic plan to the Board of Trustees in October.

More than 300 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners participated in six mini-summits over the summer, helping to identify and develop ambitious strategic initiatives Wright State could pursue over the next seven years.

Since the strategic planning process began in December 2017, almost 1,300 community members have provided input into the plan.

“Through the strategic planning process, members of our Wright State community have been able to engage with others across the university in meaningful ways,” said President Cheryl B. Schrader. “The most important part of this process is how it has helped many of us to reconnect with others and with the broader community.”

The university’s strategic plan will tie priorities with resources and use metrics to measure the outcomes of those strategies. The plan — The Wright Path to 2025: Pride, Transformation, Potential — will guide decisions at Wright State on a day-to-day basis.

“We are empowering activity at every level of the university and encouraging people to do things they know can advance the mission of the university,” said David Bright, co-chair of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

During the final mini-summit, the strategic initiative working groups presented their final projects plans that could be included in the strategic plan.

Wright State’s process to create the strategic plan differs from past efforts. It has been inclusive and started at the grassroots, and it has involved lots of reflection and dialogue. The planning process is designed to produce meaningful engagement from representatives of the entire university system. It is also leading to an ongoing dialogue that encourages continuous reflection and revision of the community’s hopes and priorities.

“When we’re done, the strategic plan will be a collectively generated document,” Bright said.

The proposed strategic initiatives include actions to accomplish the projects, milestones, metrics to measure success, a timeline and resources needed.

Wright State community members and community partners are encouraged to read and comment on the projects. Project proposals from the strategic initiative working groups are available on the strategic planning website.

Strategic initiatives ideas are organized around five areas of strategic focus: collaborative delivery of services; research, innovation, and entrepreneurship; strategic relationships and partnerships; teaching, learning, and programming; and the Wright State experience.

Some of the proposed strategic initiatives 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 projects 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 initiatives focus on university operations, 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.

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.