A team representing faculty, staff, students and administrators met for the first time Tuesday, Sept. 27, to launch the University’s strategic planning process.
In her charge to the committee, UT President Sharon L. Gaber made clear that she wants members to listen to all the voices of the UT community, to move rapidly, and to stay focused.
Provost Andrew Hsu is leading the process with the assistance of Dr. Sharon McDade, a consultant with vast experience in this field. Dr. Laurie Dinnebeil, Distinguished University Professor and chair of early childhood, physical and special education, and Dr. Anthony Quinn, associate professor of biological sciences and assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, are serving as co-chairs of the committee.
In the initial session, the committee heard presentations from Dr. Ying Liu, director of institutional research; Dr. Brian Ashburner, vice provost for retention and undergraduate studies; and Stephanie Sanders, interim vice president of the Division of Enrollment Management. All shared historical and current data on student demographics, including enrollment, performance and retention, to ensure the team had the same information going into the planning process.
In small group discussions, the committee also began working on a SWOT analysis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the institution. This discussion will be continued next week when the team meets again.
As part of the process, the team agreed to conduct up to eight listening sessions with the University community during two weeks in mid- to late-October. There also will be opportunities to provide input online.
To keep up to date with the strategic planning process, visit utoledo.edu/strategicplan.
