Facts and Traditions

Planning Process

Introduction

The University has been intensely engaged in the development of a strategic plan that will shape its actions for the foreseeable future. Three principles guided the planning process: that it be inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent. To that end, beginning in the fall of 2010, nine Working Groups were formed to address the array of areas and issues relevant to University activity:

Working Group membership included faculty members (who constituted approximately one-half of the membership of each group), students, staff, administrators, and members of the Board of Trustees. Alumni and parents were represented on several of the Working Groups. Each Working Group was led by two co-chairs, one of whom is a member of the faculty. The groups met frequently to discuss issues relevant to their areas and prepare a list of strategic recommendations. These recommendations were then communicated to the Steering Committee, whose membership consisted of the two co-chairs from each Working Group, two members of the Board of Trustees, and the President of the University, who chaired the Steering Committee. All of these efforts were coordinated administratively by the University Registrar, Amy Brandebury, who was also a member of the Steering Committee. In total, more than 130 people contributed directly to the formation of the strategic plan. A website was created to share information about the strategic planning timeline and the progress of the Working Groups and Steering Committee. The website included, as well, a comments section that enabled those in the University community to share observations, questions, and suggestions.

Timeline

  • Summer 2010   Budget Committee discussions about planning process and structure
  • October 2010   Board of Trustees discussion about planning process
  • October 2010 through January 2011   Working group meetings
  • October 2010 through January 2011   Steering Committee meetings
  • January 26, 2011 3:00 PM-5:00 PM   Open forum, Eykamp Hall 251 in Ridgway University Center
  • January 27, 2011 3:00 PM-5:00 PM   Open forum, Eykamp Hall 251 in Ridgway University Center
  • February 19, 2011   Draft of Strategic Plan approved by Board of Trustees

Steering Committee

Members

  • Chair: Tom Kazee
  • Faculty: Jennie Ebeling, Barbara Hahn, Bill Hemminger, Ray Lutgring, Dennis Malfatti, Wes Milner, Laura Paglis, Mark Valenzuela, Tamara Wandel
  • Staff and Administrators: Jack Barner, Amy Brandebury, Dana Clayton, Sylvia DeVault, Tammy Gieselman, Earl Kirk, Susan Kupisch, Mark Logel, La Toya Smith, John Stanley, Jeff Wolf
  • Trustees: Steve Harkness, Larry Kremer

Meetings and Minutes

Working Groups

Academic Program Working Group

Focused on curriculum, colleges and schools, and new programs

Members

  • Co-chairs: Jennie Ebeling, Susan Kupisch
  • Faculty: Rob Griffith, Beth Hennon, Kristy Miller, Don Rodd, Peter Rosen, Brian Swenty
  • Staff and Administrators: Susan Calovini, Donna Teague
  • Students: Melanie Bacaling, Olivia Magdelinskas
  • Trustee: Barbara Price

Meetings and Minutes

Connections Working Group

Focused on alumni, career services, and community connections

Members

  • Co-chairs: Sylvia DeVault, Dennis Malfatti
  • Alumna: Lynne Renne
  • Faculty: Jerilee Lamar, Phil Plisky, Joyce Stamm, Talitha Washington
  • Parent: Gary Kendrick
  • Staff and Administrators: Jack Barner, LaShone Gibson, Gene Wells
  • Students: Kyle Coulson, Catherine Moore
  • Trustee: Marjorie Soyugenc

Meetings and Minutes

Enrollment Working Group

Focused on admission, financial aid, and retention

Members

  • Co-chairs: Laura Paglis
  • Faculty: David Dwyer, Amy Hall, Thomas Josenhans, Mary Kessler, Gregg Wilson
  • Parent: Tony Paulin
  • Staff and Administrators: Carla Doty, Sue Edwards, Jennifer Graban
  • Students: Patrick Hayden, Ali Sweeterman
  • Trustee: Rita Eykamp

Meetings and Minutes

Faculty and Staff Development Working Group

Focused on benefits and professional development

Members

  • Co-chairs: Barbara Hahn, Mark Logel
  • Faculty: Mark Davis, Tiffany Griffith, Mark Kopta, Hanns Pieper, Greg Rike
  • Staff and Administrators: Terri Ames, Keith Fox, Keith Gehlhausen, Chris McKeag, Barbara Pieroni, Michael Tessier
  • Trustee: John C. Schroeder

Meetings and Minutes

Financial Resources Working Group

Focused on financial management and fund-raising

Members

  • Co-chairs: Ray Lutgring, Jeff Wolf
  • Faculty: Mark Gruenwald, Chris Mohn, Jim Schaefer, Peter Sherman, Mary Ellen Wylie
  • Staff and Administrators: Jack Barner, David Fowler, JoAnn Laugel, Dwight Merilatt, Abigail Miley
  • Students: Jesse Atkinson, Lucas Taylor
  • Trustee: Art Shoener, Linda White

Meetings and Minutes

Institutional Identity Working Group

Focused on mission, core values, and marketing

Members

  • Co-chairs: Tammy Gieselman, Mark Valenzuela
  • Alumnus: Joe Ellsworth
  • Faculty: Lora Becker, Scott Lank, Mark Shifflett, Chuck Watson
  • Staff and Administrators: Bob Bowell, Lucy Himstedt, Kim McDonald, Beth Speer
  • Students: Alissa Fricke, Beth Hochgesang
  • Trustee: Dan Miller

Meetings

International Working Group

Focused on Harlaxton College, study abroad, and our global reach

Members

  • Co-chairs: Earl Kirk, Wes Milner
  • Alumna: Kara Pike
  • Faculty: Yasser Alhenawi, Brian Ernsting, Roger Pieroni, Bill Stroube, Jon Truitt
  • Staff and Administrators: Bev Fowler, Phil Gerhart, Gordon Kingsley
  • Students: Rachel Hensen, Alicia Neaves
  • Trustee: Roger Beck

Meetings and Minutes

Social Responsibility Working Group

Focused on diversity, sustainability, and service

Members

  • Co-chairs: Bill Hemminger, La Toya Smith
  • Alumna: Stacy Gallucci
  • Faculty: Mohammad Azarian, Dianne Oliver, Lesley Pleasant, Ben Riley, John Stamm
  • Staff and Administrators: Geoff Edwards, Larry Horn, Lynn Penland, Angela Williams
  • Students: Shemikah Colleton, Allyson Hoch, David Kirkwood
  • Trustee: Rose Mays

Meetings and Minutes

Student Development Working Group

Focused on student life and athletics

Members

  • Co-chairs: Dana Clayton, Tamara Wandel
  • Faculty: Suzanne Bailey, Dan Byrne, Vincent Harper, Ralph Larmann, Steve Mussett
  • Staff and Administrators: Mike Jacobs, Debbie Kassenbrock, Gary Rigley, Sarah Solinsky, Monica Spencer, John Stanley
  • Students: Brock Reneer, Ellen Sawin
  • Trustee: Mike Hinton

Meetings and Minutes