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Institutional Planning Working Group Recommendations

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The Institutional Planning Working Group (IPWG) was appointed in February 2023 and charged with reviewing best practices and successful planning models from other institutions; recommending a planning model to utilize in the 2023-2024 academic year; and recommending the structure and function of broad-based committee membership to be involved throughout the year. Their key recommendations as announced in June 2023 are summarized below and will be refined by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

  • This work will be led by a Strategic Plan Steering Committee, with Subcommittees designated to collect input and discern themes for all areas of the institution.
  • Subcommittees will be organized into the following areas of focus. These areas are not intended to pre-determine specific strategic priorities, but rather to ensure all University stakeholder groups are represented in the process.
    • Academic Enterprise Excellence
    • Research Enterprise Excellence
    • Student Recruitment and Enrollment Excellence
    • Student Engagement and Success Excellence
    • Philanthropy, Alumni, and Community Excellence
    • Administrative and Auxiliary Operations Excellence
    • An additional QEP Focus Development Subcommittee will be formed in the fall to work alongside these groups; this Subcommittee will review all input, related data, and feedback to develop potential QEP topics.
  • The University community as a whole will be invited to provide widespread input during the fall semester and to provide feedback on draft strategic priorities in the spring.
  • A representative Student Advisory Group will be formed in the fall to liaise with the Steering Committee as needed during all planning phases.
  • An ex-officio support group comprised of representatives from Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness, and other areas as applicable will provide benchmark data and guidance for compliance with SACSCOC requirements.
  • The Steering Committee will also be asked to ensure several cross-cutting themes are considered in the development of all strategic priorities, including inclusion/belonging, multiple sites/modalities, student-centeredness, fiscal stewardship, community engagement, and technology.
  • Inception Phase – Mid-June through Mid-September
    • Identify, appoint, and charge Strategic Plan Steering Committee
    • Steering Committee Retreat to refine process details and organize next steps
    • Identify, appoint, and charge Subcommittee and Student Advisory Group members
  • Discovery Phase – Mid-September through November
    • Develop and deploy mechanisms for the University community to provide input
    • Review existing plans and benchmark data
  • Analysis/Development Phase – December through February
    • Draft goals, strategies, and measures of success
    • Review input and data to identify potential QEP topics
  • Completion Phase – March through June
    • Present drafts to University community for feedback
    • Synthesize feedback to finalize strategic priorities and select QEP topic
  • For All Steering Committee Members
    • The ability to deliberate dispassionately and not be seen as the champion of a particular position
    • A consistent record of working with diverse groups of people
    • A strong work ethic, and a willingness to devote the necessary time to the endeavor
    • A reputation for efficiency – the ability to do good work and still meet the deadlines
  • Specific to Steering Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
    • Broad institutional experiences commensurate with chair
    • Open-minded with appetite for risk and comfortable with disagreement
    • If faculty, should be at the rank of Professor; if staff, should have appropriate years of experience
  • Specific to Subcommittee Chairs
    • Relevant expertise on the area of focus the committee will explore
    • If faculty, should be at the rank of Associate Professor or above; if staff, should have appropriate years of experience
  • Specific to Subcommittee Members
    • Share similar characteristics noted above
    • All categories of employees eligible for membership
  • Chair – Dr. Trent Gould, Professor and Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences
  • Dr. Katie Anthony, Associate Professor and Interim Associate Dean, Graduate School
  • Dr. Joel Bolton, Associate Professor and Executive Associate Dean, College of Business and Economic Development
  • Dr. Jacob Breland, Associate Professor and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Coastal Operations
  • Dr. Will Evans, Professor and Executive Associate Dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Dr. Chris Hayes, Associate Professor, School of Ocean Science and Engineering
  • Dr. Michael King, Assistant Vice President, Student Learning and Strategic Initiatives
  • Dr. Kelly Lester, Professor and Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Dr. Candice Salyers, Faculty Senate Secretary-Elect; Assistant Professor, School of Performing and Visual Arts
  • Dr. Ed Simpson, Associate Professor and Director, School of Media and Communication
  • Prof. Lorraine Stuart, Associate Professor, Head of Special Collections and Curator, McCain Library and Archives
  • Mr. Nick Williams, Director, Technology Support Services
  • Ms. Kim Wingo, Director, Research Planning and Support
  • Ex-officio – Dr. Julie Howdeshell, Director, Quality Enhancement; Ms. Christa McLeod, Chief of Staff and Strategic Advisor to the President