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Strategic Plan Background

Strategic Plan

From fall 2021 through spring 2023, the strategic planning and design steering committee received input at multiple stages of the process from internal and external stakeholder and constituent groups through open forums, online surveys and work groups. The committee conducted its work in coordination with the chancellor search process during academic year 2021-22.

After multiple drafts and refinements, the strategic plan process culminated with presentations to and/or endorsements from Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, various UNCW volunteer boards and community groups. On July 27, 2023, the UNCW Board of Trustees approved the revised UNCW mission statement (subject to approval by the UNC Board of Governors) and endorsed the vision statement, pillars and priorities of the new strategic plan.

Implementation

The chancellor and the cabinet provide overall coordination and oversight of the implementation plan, the resource allocation plan, the comprehensive facilities plan, the communications plan the various responsible parties. The strategic plan is a living document, designed to be modified over time, with input from the chancellor, cabinet, deans, other relevant senior officers representatives of constituent groups (such as Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government Association).  

Various groups, offices and individuals work together, across divisions and units, to address the plan’s priorities and objectives. These “responsible parties” are making progress toward achieving the strategic objectives, tracking metrics and managing other details, including progress reporting. They will work with: 

  • the finance team to develop the resource allocation plans over the next 10 years,
  • the campus master planning team and space allocation team regarding facility and space needs,
  • human resources about personnel matters,
  • the office of university relations regarding the communications plan,
  • and the office of institutional research and planning in regard to data management and reporting, assessment, and accreditation-related issues.

 

Committee Activities

The UNCW Cabinet began implementation of the new Strategic Plan by creating and sorting the list of priorities as shown on the Update Page into three categories: "Highest Priorities for New Strategic Investments," "High Priorities for Planning and Design, Starting the First Year," and "In Progress High Priority Objectives Slated for Continued Emphasis." 

The Chancellor and members of his Cabinet finalized the Strategic Plan and presented it for endorsement by the UNCW Board of Trustees in July 2023. 

The Strategic Working Groups convened throughout the term to draft revised strategic priorities and actions, preliminary metrics and possible targets. The Steering Committee compiled these items into a final draft version that was ultimately presented as a recommendation for implementation by the Chancellor.

  • Chancellor Volety recharged a new Steering Committee, with many members of the original group being asked to continue the work.
  • The SDPSC hosted campus-wide workshops collecting stakeholder feedback on the institutional mission, vision, and core values, while gathering perceptions related to the preliminary pillars, priorities, and strategic activities. These data were aggregated and informed the creation of Strategic Working Groups of additional faculty, staff, and students geared toward a specific topic area.

The SDPSC provided incoming Chancellor Volety with a "Strengths and Opportunities" document highlighting the work of the committee in Year 1, with a recommendation to reconvene the Steering Committee for another year with a new charge and timeline. 

  • The committee reviewed survey results and compiled peer benchmark data related to strategic metrics and initiatives.
  • The committee began to formulate elements of a SWOT/SOAR analysis with a goal of presenting findings to the new chancellor in late spring or early summer.
  • The committee continued discussions on the peer benchmark study and stakeholder engagement.
  • The committee affirmed its commitment to continue the initial stages of the strategic planning process in the wake of Chancellor Sartarelli’s retirement announcement.
  • The committee engaged in professional development and discussions.
    • Workshops from strategic planning experts from the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP) on the foundations and design of integrated planning.
    • Review progress of existing strategic plan metrics.
    • Conversations related to existing strengths and opportunities for campus.
  • A draft timeline and list of activities was developed.
  • The early stages of forming a robust peer benchmark study to be conducted in fall 2021.
  • Extending the current strategic plan through the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
  • Discussions with national thought leaders related to design thinking models and strategic planning.
  • Identification of co-chairs of the committee:
    • Provost Jamie Winebrake
    • Faculty Senate President Nathan Grove
    • Staff Senate Immediate Past Chair Susan Smith
  • Identification of members of a Steering Committee comprising members from across campus constituencies representing various roles and units.

Strategic Plan Development Stages

  • Environmental Scan and Benchmarking
  • Initial Stakeholder Engagement
    • Open Forum and Presentation of Data
    • Survey of Campus
    • Invitation to Participate
  • Establish Teams and Internal Review of Institution
    • Workgroup 1 - Mission/Vision/Values
    • Workgroup 2 - SWOT Analysis
  • Continued Stakeholder Engagement
    • Discussions with Campus Governance Groups, Open Fora and Call for Input
  • Identifying Priorities and Goals
    • Form Workgroups around Strategic Issues (From SWOT)
    • Determine Strategic Priorities and Overarching Goals
  • Solicit Campus Feedback and Continued Stakeholder Engagement
  • Define Strategies and Actions
  • Identify Metrics of Success
    • Definitions and Baselines
    • Yearly Targets
  • Campus Review of Draft Strategic Plan
    • Solicit Feedback from Stakeholders and Governance Groups
    • Discuss Updates to Mission/Vision/Values, Strategic Priorities, Goals, Strategies and Actions
    • Incorporate Feedback, Review and Make Edits
  • Develop Implementation Plan and Timeline for Review
  • Finalize Strategic Plan and Present to Campus
  • Gain Endorsement from Campus Governance Groups
Previous Updates About the Strategic Planning Process
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