The Thinking Forward group was charged with a range of related pre-planning efforts designed to position to begin the next strategic planning process, including:

Environmental Scan

The higher education landscape is changing rapidly. What does “thinking forward” in some key areas tell us about where we are and where we want to go?

• Demographic shifts
• AI and the future of work
• Leveraging educational technology
• Future role of online
• Mergers

Sharpening our topical focus

• Identifying key areas for the strategic plan consistent with our understanding of where we are in the current environment
• Prioritizing / integrating strategic goals

Plan structure and process

The Thinking Forward committee began its work with a review of the previous strategic plan and will recommend approaches for the next full strategic plan, based on a thoughtful consideration of key questions:

• How should we organize the 2020 plan?
• How should strategy be funded?
• Design principles for the next plan.
• How support planning with data / evidence?