Empire State University Strategic Planning Process Recap 2022-2023

In August 2022, one month after President Vollendorf took office, SUNY Empire launched a strategic planning process. The goal of the process was to create a strategic framework to guide future institutional efforts and resource allocation.

As a first step, we created a Strategic Planning Task Force comprised of faculty, staff, professional employees, administrative leadership, student representation, alumni, donors, and board members. Co-chaired by Professor Dana Gliserman Kopans and Interim Vice Provost Seana Logsdon, the task force was charged with creating an inclusive process that would result in articulation of strategic priorities for SUNY Empire. Trends in regional and national higher education and the labor landscape were considered throughout the process in addition to all feedback gathered throughout the process.

While the process was underway, significant changes took place in our broader environment. SUNY Empire State College received approval to change to university status. In addition, SUNY Online—a systemwide approach to online programs—was discontinued, a move that positioned SUNY Empire as SUNY’s leading online institution and New York state’s only public online institution.

2. PROCESS

The strategic planning process had the following structure:

LAUNCH: A Town Hall attended by 363 people was held on September 19, 2022. The event set the stage by delineating institutional, regional, and national trends regarding student demographics and enrollments, academic program demand, and the workforce. It also identified future opportunities for SUNY Empire.

Feedback sessions were attended by 738 individuals, while 69 individuals responded to the survey.

3. SUMMARY OF PARTICIPATION

Over the six months of framework development and feedback, we had more than 4,190 inputs, including:

• Attendance of 363 individuals at the Town Hall launch event
• 1,422 students and alumni survey responses
• 1,199 employees, donors, partners, board members, and College Council member survey responses
• 400+ world café participants
• 738 feedback session participants
• 69 draft strategic plan survey responses

4. STRATEGIC PLANNING TASKFORCE AND SUPPORT TEAM

Our strategic planning process would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of those who volunteered to serve on the Strategic Planning Task Force and all who supported their work. Moreover, everyone who participated in the launch event, surveys, world cafés, and feedback sessions made it possible for this phase one process to be inclusive, meaningful, and collaborative.

5. SUMMARY OF PHASE ONE AND OUTLINE OF PHASE TWO AND BEYOND

Phase one of the 2022-23 strategic planning process resulted in a revised mission, vision, values, and priorities statement that positions the institution to move into the next level of input and refinement. The task force completed its work in a timely fashion, enabling the institution to be well-positioned for its name change to Empire State University on March 22, 2023.

Phase two of the planning process has been scheduled for April 1 to July 1, 2023, during which time objectives and measurable goals will be identified in each division.

By the end of 2022-23, Empire State University will have a comprehensive strategic plan and will be positioned to implement, measure, assess, and refine our efforts for the life of the plan: 2023-2028.

Co-Chairs

• Dana Gliserman Kopans, Professor and Chair, Department of Literature, Communication, and Cultural Studies
• Seana Logsdon, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success

Members

• Quran Bell ‘21, Student Success and Development Coordinator
• Brian Carolan, Dean, School for Graduate Studies
• Laura Decker, Benefits and Leave Administrator
• Chris Feeley ‘86, VP Business Development, Psychiatry Networks, Empire State College Foundation member and Chair of the Foundation’s Development Committee
• Alejandro Galindo, Academic Program Coordinator
• Samuel Goldberger, Administrative Assistant, Registrar’s Office
• Thalia MacMillan, Professor, School of Human Services
• Jason Russell, Professor, School for Graduate Studies
• Lydia Smith ‘21, MBA Student

Liaisons

• Eileen McDonnell, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning, Liaison to Decision Support
• Leigh Yannuzzi, Chief of Staff, Liaison to Office of the President

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Saratoga Springs, NY 12866