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Strategic Plan
Students walk across Shroeder Plaza.

Educate • Connect • Elevate

Illinois State

2018-2023

Planning Process

In fall 2016, then President Larry Dietz appointed a twenty-four member Task Force to revise the University’s strategic plan, Educating Illinois 2013-2018 Individualized Attention, Shared Aspirations. He charged the Task Force to review and update the strategic plan, building upon the success the University has accomplished since the inception of the first iteration of Educating Illinois. The Task Force was further charged to consult with the campus community, be well informed regarding the internal and external environments, and develop a new strategic plan that sets forth a direction to further advance the University in the coming years.

Educate Connect Elevate: Illinois State - The Strategic Plan for Illinois' First Public University 2018-2023 was approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2018.

Timeline

September 16, 2016

President's State of the University Address announcement

Fall 2016

Task Force constituted and planning process begins

Spring 2017*

Information gathering stage

Summer 2017

Plan draft development

Fall 2017*

Consultation on plan draft

Spring 2018

Shared governance endorsement of plan, Board of Trustees approval of plan

*The Task Force sought input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community through an online survey, open forums, and focused discussions.

Groups consulted through the focused discussions phase included:

  • Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Leadership Staff
  • Vice President for Finance and Planning Leadership Staff
  • Student Affairs Council
  • Vice President for University Advancement Leadership Staff
  • Deans Council
  • Department Chairs/School Directors Council
  • College of Arts and Sciences Council
  • College of Applied Science and Technology Council
  • College of Fine Arts Council
  • College of Business Coordinating Team
  • College of Education Council
  • Mennonite College of Nursing Council
  • Milner Library Faculty and Staff
  • Academic Senate – Faculty Caucus
  • Administrative/Professional Council
  • Civil Service Council
  • Student Government Association
  • Academic Advising Council
  • Graduate Council
  • Student Leaders Council
  • Admissions Ambassadors
  • University Research Council
  • Diverse Students Group
  • Alumni Association
  • Intercollegiate Athletics Leadership Team

Task Force

  • Brian Beam (co-chair)
    Executive Director
    University Marketing and Communications

  • Hulda Black
    Associate Professor
    Marketing (beginning 8/1/17)

  • Rachel Calhoun
    Director of Research
    Advancement and Foundation Operations

  • Sam Catanzaro (co-chair)
    Associate Vice President for Academic Administration, Policy, and Faculty Affairs

  • Febin Chirayath
    Student Government Association

  • Jeff Clark
    Department Chair/School Directors Council

  • Angela Engel (co-chair- beginning 8/1/17)
    Director
    Planning, Research, and Policy Analysis

  • Laura Fox
    Business Administrative Associate
    University Police Department

  • Paul Garris
    Distinguished Professor
    School of Biological Sciences

  • Ron Gifford
    Chair
    Administrative Professional Council

  • Jamillah Gilbert
    Instructional Assistant Professor
    Special Education

  • Rachel Hatch
    Assistant Director
    Media Relations

  • Susan Kalter
    Chair
    Academic Senate

  • Samantha Lewis
    Student Government Association
    (beginning 8/1/17)

  • Yongmei Liu
    Associate Professor
    Management and Qualitative Methods
    (through 7/31/17)

  • Dwight Merilatt
    Executive Associate Director
    Intercollegiate Athletics

  • Blanca Miller
    Assistant Professor
    Mennonite College of Nursing

  • Danielle Miller-Schuster (co-chair)
    Assistant Vice President
    Student Affairs

  • Hannah Picciola
    Student Government Association

  • Dean Plumadore
    Civil Service Council
    (beginning 8/1/17)

  • Ajay Samant
    Dean of the College of Business
    Dean's Council

  • Jennifer Sharkey
    Associate Professor
    Milner Library

  • Sarah Smelser
    Professor
    School of Art

  • Amanda Smith
    Chair
    Civil Service Council (through 7/31/17)

  • Deb Smitley (co-chair through 7/31/17)
    Senior Associate Vice President for Planning, Finance and Facilities

  • Aslihan Spaulding
    Professor
    Department of Agriculture

  • Lenford Sutton
    Department Chair
    Educational Administration and Foundations

  • Jack Whitsitt
    Student Government Association
    (beginning 8/1/17)

  • Ani Yazdejian
    Department Chair/School Directors Council