Phase 2 - Data Gathering & Engagement

This phase is designed to meaningfully engage stakeholders, both on and off campus, in discussions about our core values, the current and future challenges we face, and the critical issues we must proactively manage. Task Force members will use a variety of facilitated planning exercises to solicit ideas and feedback about these issues. Frequent planning updates will be scheduled to ensure transparency and to inform the campus community about the progress-to-date of the strategic planning effort.

The following are examples of some of the planning exercise designs that will be utilized by the task force. The Future Timeline exercise allows participants to brainstorm about the events, issues and trends that will impact the College in the next ten years. The Interview design allows participants to consider and respond to a set of strategic questions to help inform the planning process. And, the Carousel design, which encourages participants to openly share their ideas and develop a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. All three of these planning exercises are designed to result in a set of prioritized issues or responses from stakeholders.

One-on-one interviews and surveys may also be used to supplement the above planning exercises.

The data generated during this phase will be compiled and posted on the strategic planning website. Many of these planning exercises will be conducted within targeted groups of stakeholders (e.g., faculty, students, alumni), which will allow for interesting comparisons of how different groups view and prioritize the issues. Transparency, collaboration, and active engagement are key to the success of this phase of the planning process.