Strategic planning communications listing

This page contains every communication sent to campus concerning the strategic planning process.

SUMMARY

Description	Date distributed
MESSAGES FROM DR. PROENZA TO CAMPUS
Dr. Proenza's invitation to the launch of a new strategic-planning initiative	Feb. 19, 2009
Dr. Proenza's announcement launching a discussion board online	March 26, 2009
Dr. Proenza's invitation to a campus-wide workshop on creativity and innovation	April 3, 2009
MESSAGES TO CAMPUS IN THE E-MAIL DIGEST
Strategic planning process update: Video available of President Proenza's presentation	March 10, 2009
Strategic planning process update: President Proenza introduces an interactive Web tool	March 19, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Discussion board opens	March 31, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Alignment with University System of Ohio's plans	April 2, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Summary of alignment with Univeristy System of Ohio's plans	April 9, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Chancellor Fingerhut's comments	April 9, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Proenza listens to students' vision for UA	April 16, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Strategic planning committee offers its reading list	April 23, 2009
Strategic planning process update: About 300 participate in innovation workshop	April 30, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Nancy Zimpher to discuss urban serving universities	May 7, 2009
Strategic planning process update: New SUNY chancellor provides insight	May 14, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Strategic planning committee hears focus group interim results	July 23, 2009
Strategic planning process update: University of Phoenix leader to visit	July 30, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Arizona State University leader to visit	Sept. 3, 2009
Strategic planning process update: View and discuss Univ. of Phoenix presentation online	Sept. 3, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Arizona State president to discuss many roles of higher education	Sept. 10, 2009
Strategic planning process update: View and discuss presentation by Univ. of Phoenix president	Sept. 10, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Discuss Crow presentation	Sept. 24, 2009
Strategic planning process update: Discuss draft of strategic plan at campus conversations	Oct. 10, 2009

Messages from leadership

Feb. 19:  Dr. Proenza's invitation to the launch of a new strategic-planning initiative

You are invited, Dear Colleagues . . .

. . . to join in the launch of our new strategic-planning initiative on March 2 in the Student Union Gardner Theatre at one of two, one-hour interactive sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Using our 1999-2000 Charting the Course plan as our starting point, I will review the highlights of our accomplishments in the last ten years. Then, we will begin to discuss how we might continue our growth and success during the coming decade.

Please become involved in this vital process.

Thank you for your past contributions to the success of our students and our University.

With every good wish,

Sincerely,

Luis Proenza

 

March 26:  Dr. Proenza's announcement launching a discussion board online

As we begin, Dear Colleagues . . .
 
. . . to develop our strategic plan for the next 10 years, the members of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and I are eager to ensure that our planning process provides extensive opportunities for engagement and communication with students, faculty, staff, alumni and other University constituents, and we plan to seek your input and share the results on a regular basis.

To accomplish some of this engagement and communication, we have developed a strategic planning discussion board on the Web, where you, your colleagues, our students and others can discuss an initial set of four questions central to our planning for the next decade. Our goal is to create a University-wide dialogue around these questions, and we encourage you to respond to the questions posed or to the comments from others.

Within a few weeks, the committee will review the discussions and post a summary that highlights key points of agreement and debate. We hope you will return to the discussion board on a regular basis to review the summary and comment on it as well. As we progress through the year, we plan to post additional questions and issues for your consideration and ongoing dialogue.

To get started, visit the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board.

We look forward to your ideas and insights.

With every good wish,

Sincerely,

Luis Proenza

 

April 3: Dr. Proenza's invitation to a campus-wide workshop on creativity and innovation

As we create, Dear Colleagues . . .

. . . a strategic plan that expresses our full institutional promise, our thinking must be bold and innovation. To advance our creative culture in a way that supports the strategic planning process, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and I invite you to attend a campus-wide workshop on creativity and innovation on Monday, April 20, 8 a.m. to noon in the Student Union, Ballrooms A&B.

Our facilitators for this conversation will be executives from the Creativity and Innovation Training Division of the Disney Institute, the executive training arm of the Disney Corporation. Fortune magazine recently ranked the Disney Institute as the 13th-most-admired company for inspiring creativity. Because space is limited for this valuable workshop, registration is required. Register now online. I believe this experience offers benefits to the University as a whole as well as to each participant personally and professionally, so I urge you to register as soon as possible.

I also encourage you to join the conversation about our plans for the next decade by visiting the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board. We need your involvement and best thinking, and I hope you will join us on April 20.

With every good wish,

Sincerely,

Luis Proenza

 

Announcements in the E-mail Digest

March 10: Strategic planning process update

On March 2, President Proenza officially announced the commencement of the strategic planning process to the campus community. In a presentation in the Student Union Theater, he reviewed the accomplishments resulting from Charting the Course and challenged students, faculty and staff to think boldly and creatively when helping craft a plan for the next 10 years.

A video of the presentation, as well as both Q&A sessions, can be seen on the strategic planning Web site. Updates regarding the process will be provided weekly on the site.

If you have any questions or comments for the strategic planning steering committee, please send them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

March 19: Strategic planning process update

Early next week you will receive a message from President Proenza introducing an interactive Web tool that will provide an opportunity for the campus community to engage in the strategic planning process.

Other updates:

• The notes from the March 13 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting have been posted on the strategic planning site. In case you missed it, a video of the President's March 2 strategic planning presentation, as well as both Q&A sessions, are available on the video page.
• Remember to visit the strategic planning site often, where updates will be posted frequently. You can find it easily by searching for "strategic plan."

Send questions or comments to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee at strategicplan@uakron.edu.

March 31: Discussion board opens

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee has opened a community discussion board online. You are encouraged to visit the site, read others' comments and contribute your own ideas about the University's direction for the next decade.

April 2: Strategic planning process update

Chancellor Eric Fingerhut will meet with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee this Friday, April 3, to discuss aligning the University's strategic planning process with the University System of Ohio's plan. Other headlines:

• As part of the Strategic Planning Speaker Series, the University will host a speaker on April 20 to discuss creativity and innovation. You will receive an invitation shortly.
• The notes from the March 27 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting have been posted. The next regular meeting of the committee will be April 10.
• The Strategic Planning Steering Committee has opened a community discussion board online. You are encouraged to visit the site, read others' comments and contribute your own ideas about the University's direction for the next decade.
• Visit the strategic planning site often. It will provide information and resources that will allow you to stay current and engaged.
• If you have any questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, please send them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

April 9: Strategic planning update

Chancellor Eric Fingerhut met with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee on Friday, April 3 to discuss alignment with the University System of Ohio strategic plan. A summary of his remarks appears in the second story of this Digest.

Other updates:

• As part of the Strategic Planning Speaker Series, the University will host representatives from the Disney Institute, who will lead a workshop on creativity and innovation on Monday, April 20. All seats have been reserved; however, names are being accepted onto a waiting list. To have your name added to the list, send a message to waitlist@uakron.edu.
• You can review the notes from the March 27 Strategic Planning Steering Committee online. The next regular meeting of the committee will be April 10.
• Discuss the strengths and challenges of the University of the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board.
• If you have any questions or if you wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, send them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

April 9: Chancellor: Differentiation strategy right for Ohio's universities

Each of Ohio's 14 state universities should strive to be the best in the world in one area, said Chancellor Eric Fingerhut during a recent visit to campus. Achieving, this, he said, would draw top students, teachers and researchers to Ohio, and lead to the creation of new jobs and new businesses that would fuel the state's economy.

Under the University System of Ohio's strategic plan, Fingerhut aims to build on historical strengths at each university to create global Centers of Excellence.

"I'm not so interested in what Akron can be best at in the region or state," he said. "I am interested in what you can be best at in the world."

Ohio starts from a position of strength, he said, saying that it's 14 state universities and 23 community college are significant assets and a source of strength.

Fingerhut said higher education in Ohio will build and maintain state support if it takes the lead in economic development. "If we create wealth," he said, "the leaders of the state will invest in higher education."

The Chancellor said he is looking for someone in the state to pick up the focus on adult and online education.  Since adult education is the fastest growing segment in higher education, we, as a state system, cannot ignore it.

Fingerhut said he is not modeling the University System of Ohio after another state's system. Instead, he said we will learn from others, but we are looking to build a "uniquely Ohio" system.

While on campus, Fingerhut met with the University's Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which is leading the campus-wide effort to develop a plan for the next decade. You can learn more about the process at www.uakron.edu/strategic-plan/.

Dr. Luis Proenza responds to student questions during a visit to the Polsky Building on April 15.

April 16: Proenza listens to students' vision for UA

Dr. Luis Proenza listened to students' future wishes for UA at three engagement sessions Wednesday on campus. The sessions were part of the University's strategic planning process, which aims to define UA's goals and priorities for the next decade.

While some students asked Dr. Proenza about immediate concerns, others peered into the future, asking about how to further enrich UA culturally and how to create a more vibrant campus life for students.

Wednesday's sessions were held at the Polsky Building, the Stile Athletics Field House and at Rob's Cafe. The president rode the Roo Express shuttle to each stop.

On Thursday, April 23, he will board the shuttle again for two more stops, at Hattie's Café in University Park (11:30 a.m.) and at the Student Union MarketPlace (12:30 p.m.).

Other strategic planning developments:

• As part of the Strategic Planning Speaker Series, the University is sponsoring a campus-wide workshop on creativity and innovation from 8 a.m. to noon Monday. Though all seats have been reserved, you can send a message to waitlist@uakron.edu to be put on the wait list.
• Dr. Nancy Zimpher, president of the University of Cincinnati, will be the keynote speaker at the University Park Alliance awards luncheon on May 11. While a guest of the University, she will meet with the committee to engage in conversation related to UA's strategic planning process.
• The notes from the April 10 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting have been posted. The next regular meeting of the committee will be April 24.
• Join the discussion about UA's strengths and challenges on the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board.
• Visit the strategic planning Web site often. It provides information and resources to help you stay current and engaged.
• If you have any questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, send a message to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

April 23: Strategic planning committee offers its reading list

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites you to familiarize yourself with the resources it is reviewing as part of the strategic planning process. Included in the information provided are existing strategic plans from other universities that would be of particular interest to UA's stakeholders. See the reading resources.

April 30: About 300 participate in innovation workshop

Last week, 284 members of the UA community attended the strategic planning session on creativity and innovation. Among those participating were 96 faculty, 125 contract professionals, 51 staff, and 10 students. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee hopes this session provided the attendees with new skills and with inspiration as we think broadly and creatively about our future.

Many interesting ideas were generated during the small-group discussions. Attendees are encouraged to go to the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board, where you can post your innovative ideas and discuss the messages from the session that were relevant to you. On the discussion board, look in the left-hand menu for "Innovation and Creativity."

In other strategic planning news:

• Faculty members are invited to participate in one of several focus groups that will be convened over the next three weeks. The sessions will be facilitated by a UA faculty member and supported by the staff of UA's Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing. If interested, please call ext. 8228 or send a message to Jnd8@uakron.edu.
• The notes from the April 24 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting have been posted. The next regular meeting of the committee will be Friday, May 8.
• Dr. Nancy Zimpher, president of the University of Cincinnati, will be the keynote speaker at the University Park Alliance awards luncheon on May 11. While a guest of the University, she will meet with the committee to engage in conversation related to UA's strategic planning process.
• The strategic planning Web site is updated regularly with information and resources related to the strategic planning process.
• If you have any questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, please e-mail them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

May 7: This week in strategic planning

On Monday, May 11, Dr. Nancy Zimpher, president of the University of Cincinnati, will be meeting with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee to discuss urban-serving universities as part of our strategic planning considerations.

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee is recruiting full- and part-time faculty members to participate in strategic planning focus groups. If you are interested in being a part of this important component to the strategic planning process, please contact the Taylor Institute at ext. 5304.

In other news:

• Many interesting ideas were generated during the small-group discussions at the strategic planning session on creativity and innovation. Attendees are encouraged to go to the Strategic Planning Community Discussion Board, where you can post your innovative ideas and discuss the messages from the session that were relevant to you. On the discussion board, look in the left-hand menu for "Innovation and Creativity."
• The strategic planning Web site is updated regularly with information and resources related to the strategic planning process.
• If you have questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, please e-mail them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

May 14: New SUNY chancellor provides insight

Dr. Nancy Zimpher, immediate past president of the University of Cincinnati and new chancellor of the State University of New York, met with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, campus and community leaders to engage in conversation related to UA's strategic planning process. The May 11th event attracted 70 attendees, who participated in a Q&A session with Dr. Zimpher. Small-group discussions resulted in important feedback that will benefit the strategic planning process. Highlights of the feedback will be posted on the Strategic Planning Web site next week.
Other update:

• The notes from the May 8 Strategic Planning Steering Committee meeting have been posted. The next regular meeting of the committee is May 22.
• The strategic planning Web site is updated regularly with information and resources related to the strategic planning process.
• If you have any questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, please e-mail them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

July 23: Strategic planning committee hears focus group interim results

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee met June 19. Read the minutes from the meeting (enter your UANet ID and password to download).

Other updates:

• Dr. William Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix, will be a guest of UA on Thursday, Aug. 20. In addition to his leadership responsibilities at University of Phoenix, President Pepicello serves as a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, a non-governmental organization that grants accreditations to public and private schools and districts and has been improving schools for the last 100 years.
• Dr. Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University, will visit UA on Wednesday, Sept. 16. In addition to serving as president of Arizona State, he is guiding the transformation of ASU into one of the nation's leading public metropolitan research universities, one that is directly engaged in the economic, social, and cultural vitality of its region.
• The next meeting of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee is Friday, July 31.
• The strategic planning Web site is updated regularly with information and resources related to the strategic planning process.
• If you have any questions or wish to provide comments to the strategic planning steering committee, please e-mail them to strategicplan@uakron.edu.

July 30: University of Phoenix leader to visit

As part of UA's ongoing strategic planning process, Dr. William Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix, will be joining us on Thursday, Aug. 20. 

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites you to participate in a discussion with Pepicello from 10 a.m. to noon in the Quaker Inn Grand Ballroom.

Pepicello holds a master's and a doctorate degree in Linguistics from Brown University and has held faculty positions at the University of Delaware, Temple University, and University of the Pacific. He has conducted research and published in the areas of classical languages, linguistics, psychology, anthropology, folklore, and humor studies.  In September 2006, Dr. Pepicello was appointed the sixth president of the University of Phoenix. 

This will be an interactive session and, as such, the committee has identified the following outcomes for this session:

• Discussion of current and anticipated innovations within higher education – the university of 2020
• Discussion of the student of 2020
• Discussion of new business models for higher education
• Discussion of lessons learned from the University of Phoenix model

Please confirm your attendance by sending a message to provostsa1@uakron.edu. In the meantime, we encourage you to review these articles in advance of Pepicello's remarks.

Sept. 3: Arizona State University leader to visit

As part of UA's ongoing strategic planning process, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites you to participate in a discussion with Dr. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the Quaker Inn Station Conference Center.

Crow became the 16th president of Arizona State University on July 1, 2002. Since then he has guided the transformation of ASU into one of the nation's leading public metropolitan research universities, one that is directly engaged in the economic, social and cultural vitality of its region. See Crow's complete bio.

Crow will discuss with the UA and greater Akron regional community the “New American University” – the role of higher education as a driver for innovation, economic development and social embeddedness in their communities.
As in the past, we plan for this to be an interactive session and the small group conversations which follow Crow's presentation will focus on these themes. Review the materials posted to prepare you for the lecture and discussion.

Please confirm your attendance by sending a message to provostsa1@uakron.edu.

Sept. 3: View and discuss Univ. of Phoenix presentation online

The campus event held Aug. 20 with Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix, generated very interesting dialog. See the presentation and the motivating feedback from the session here.
The discussion continues on the discussion board, which is part of the strategic planning Web site. The questions used in the campus event have been posted and you are invited to be a part of the continuing discussion this interactive session generated.

Sept. 10: Arizona State president to discuss many roles of higher education

Dr. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, will discuss the “New American University,” and the role of higher education as a driver for innovation, economic development and social embeddedness — from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Quaker Inn Station Conference Center. The talk, part of the University’s yearlong strategic-planning process, is open to the campus community. Crow’s talk will be followed by small-group discussions. Learn more about Crow and the reading materials related to his presentation. Please confirm your attendance by sending a message to provostsa1@uakron.edu. Attendees are welcome to park at Quaker Square. Use the Summit Street entrance, and remember that the Mill Street bridge is closed.

Sept. 10: View and discuss presentation by Univ. of Phoenix president

As part of UA's strategic planning process, Dr. William Pepicello, the president of the University of Phoenix, visited campus Aug. 20 to discuss UP's business model, its approach to education and its plan for the future. You are invited to view the presentation and respond to questions on the strategic planning discussion board.

Sept. 24: Discuss Crow presentation

What we have done ...

Throughout the strategic planning process, stakeholder groups have had opportunities to voice their ideas and to contribute to the plan for the University's next decade. There have been more than 2,200 participants at the various interactive sessions. Go to the strategic planning Web site to access photos, videos and campus feedback from the interactive sessions.

What we are going to do ... Save the Date

President Proenza, along with members of the strategic planning steering committee, will be meeting with stakeholder groups on Oct. 13 at which time a draft of the strategic plan will be made available for review. You are invited to be a part of this next step and to continue the dialog that has proven to be invaluable in this process. Please save the date - more details will follow.

In the meantime ... view and discuss Dr. Michael Crow's presentation online

The campus event held Sept. 16 with Dr. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, was very well attended and generated relevant and interesting dialog. See the presentation and the motivating feedback from the session here. The discussion continues on the discussion board, which is part of the strategic planning Web site. The questions used in the campus event have been posted and you are invited to be a part of the continuing discussion this interactive session generated.

Oct. 15: Discuss draft of  strategic plan at campus conversations

The University's draft strategic plan for the next decade will be the focus of a series of campus conversations led by members of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, starting next Wednesday. The dates and times of the sessions:

• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Student Union 335
• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Student Union Ballroom B
• Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Student Union Ballroom B

Refreshments will be provided. To register for one of the conversations, please RSVP to provostsa1@uakron.edu.

In addition to the campus conversations above, President Proenza is visiting each of the colleges, during which he will lead discussions about the draft plan. The dean of each college will announce the date and time of the session.

To further explore relevant topics that will impact The University of Akron's strategic plan, you are invited to participate in a webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 3, entitled “Agents and Architects of Democracy: The Struggle for the Future of Higher Education.” The webinar will take place from 3 to 4 p.m., location to be determined based upon reservations.  After the webinar there will be a group discussion on themes from the webinar and how they impact UA's strategic plan. To register for this strategic planning webinar, please RSVP to provostsa1@uakron.edu (and please indicate that you are writing to attend the webinar).