Strategic Thinking Task Force (WOW)

Michael G. Dolence

Biographical Sketch

Michael Dolence is President of Michael G. Dolence and Associates. He consults with higher education institutions, systems, associations and vendors nationally. He is a specialist in organizational transformation, strategic positioning, institutional strategic planning and management processes, strategic enrollment management, information technology planning, linking academic planning, transformation and budgeting, public advocacy, and public relations. Mr. Dolence has served as Strategic Planning Administrator for the California State University, Los Angeles; Founding Director of the Science, Engineering, and Research Campus Hook-up, and Director of Research, Planning and Policy Analysis for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

As a consultant, Mr. Dolence has worked with numerous institutions of higher education nationally to develop campus-wide strategic planning processes and strategic enrollment management programs with a special emphasis upon crisis avoidance and crisis intervention. His counsel is sought on strategies to respond to state and federal initiatives as-well-as repositioning institutions for competitiveness. He has also worked with information system vendors in the development of state-of-the-art strategic enrollment and instructional management systems.

While at the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), he built, maintained, and utilized for statewide master planning, research and policy analysis, a data base of every institution in New York State: public, independent, and proprietary. As Independent Sector Master Plan Coordinator, he reviewed the quadrennial master plans and biennial progress reports of each institution (over 300) in the state, monitored progress, noted what worked and what fell short, and synthesized the independent sector master plan. Using the comprehensive database he began his work on strategic enrollment management. The research and policy analysis he conducted was used to develop and support five state and federal legislative agendas. This extensive experience continues to provide a unique perspective in his work with higher education organizations.

Transforming Higher Education

Mr. Dolence coauthored the book, Transforming Higher Education: A Vision for Learning in the 21st Century, as well as several articles including "Using Key Performance Indicators to Drive Strategic Decision Making," and "IT Leadership is Key to Transformation." He has made numerous professional papers and presentations, such as "Transformative Thinking," "Transformation and the Future of Higher Education," "Transformation Theory and Practice," "A Vision for Learning in the 21st Century," "Navigating the Future Using Strategic Planning," "Using a Learning Vision to Drive the Transformation of Higher Education," "Bringing About Transformation," "Applying the Tools of Transformation," "Transforming Higher Education," "Back to the Future of Higher Education," and "Transforming Higher Education Through Information Technology During a Period of Retrenchment."

Mr Dolence is working with several institutions and associations including the University of Arizona, University de Montreal, Pima Community College, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers on transformational efforts.