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Strategic Planning Process

Participate in the development of CMU's next multiyear strategic plan

Central Michigan University sign

Central Michigan University’s current strategic plan, Advancing Excellence, expires at the end of 2022. We are undertaking a strategic planning process to develop a new plan to guide our university forward.

The CMU Board of Trustees charged a Strategic Planning Executive Committee to create structures and processes to gather broad-based input from the university community and the wider community. Initial gathering took place throughout the spring semester.

The new strategic plan will build upon the work already underway and/or completed in the strategic envisioning process, and will clearly differentiate CMU in meaningful ways from other institutions across Michigan. The final plan will outline a clear path to guide CMU forward using SMART goals as we navigate the changing landscape of higher education. We are eager for your participation throughout the process. 

Committee structure and membership

The  Central Michigan University Board of Trustees has a leadership role in the strategic planning process and has ultimate decision-making authority over the university's mission and vision statements and the overall strategic plan. Members of the greater university community also have an important role to play in developing and formulating the mission and vision, as well as the plan itself.

Strategic planning structures graphic with squares in maroon, light blue and gold explaining the organization flow.

    CMU has adopted a multifaceted structure to engage stakeholders in this process. The links below navigate to descriptions of each of the groups that will play significant roles in the planning process. Please visit each page to view an overview of each group's responsibilities and membership. 

      Campus update sessions

      The updates to campus may be viewed in the presentation and campus update session below. 

      Strategic plan

      Learn more about CMU's strategic plan by viewing the document below.

      Anticipated timeline

      The Strategic Planning Team hosted campus engagement sessions throughout Spring 2023. The SPT aims to present a draft plan to the Board of Trustees in June 2023.  After incorporating proposed edits, the SPT will share an update with the campus community in late August.  The final proposed plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees in September 2023.

      Implementation 

      An implementation toolkit will be developed throughout the early fall to ensure all strategic plan details are fully understood by stakeholders charged with implementing divisional and college plans that align with the overarching university plan. The toolkit will include an outline of natural and potentially hidden linkages between the strategic priorities, objectives, SMART goals, and measures, by division and college. Many Strategic Planning Advisory Council (SPAC) members and additional key stakeholders will participate in sessions focused on change management and implementation strategies for greater consistency across the university. Information gathered throughout the planning process will be available for SPAC members and additional key stakeholders to leverage as they prepare divisional and college plans. All plans will align with the university plan, and a clear communication plan will be rolled out to the campus community. An investment of resources will be made through strategic reallocations to initiate the implementation of the plan. 

      Reporting

      The four listed priorities will guide the strategic direction of Central Michigan University for the next five years. Annually, the plan and allocation of resources will be reviewed, to ensure alignment between the budget and priorities. A full report will be provided for the campus community and presented at the Board of Trustees meeting each September. At this meeting, annual goals for the next year will also be presented. Quarterly reports will be provided to the Board of Trustees on the progress of the implementation and overall goals from each major division. At the four other Board of Trustees meetings, a presentation and discussion on one of the priorities will occur. After the third year, the board will oversee a review of the plan and adjust as needed to ensure that contemporary issues are addressed and future aspirations are articulated.

      Provide feedback

      Members of the CMU community are invited to share their thoughts on the new strategic plan, as well as to submit questions and concerns, by emailing the Strategic Planning Team.

      Stakeholder engagement opportunities held to date

      The involvement of CMU's many stakeholder groups in the strategic planning process is vital to the success of the plan. The Strategic Planning Team hosted numerous stakeholder engagement sessions in Spring 2023. This included focused sessions with targeted stakeholder groups as well as general sessions open to any member of the university community.

        Friday, Feb. 10 at 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in French Auditorium (EHS Building)

        Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium

      • Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in Biosciences Room 1010
      • Tuesday, March 21 at 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium

        • Face-to-face sessions

        - Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium

        - Friday, March 17 at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in French Auditorium (EHS Building)

        - Monday, April 24, 2023 at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in Biosciences Room 1010

        - Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. in French Auditorium (EHS 118)

         

          Focused engagement sessions

          • Student Government Association
          • Board of Trustees
          • President's Cabinet
          • Provost's Advisory Council
          • Senior Leadership Team
          • Divisional leaders
          • Senate Executive Board
          • Academic Senate
          • Academic Colleges
          • Budget Priorities Committee
          • Council of Chairs
          • Innovation and Online unit
          • Alumni, major donors, former Trustees, members of Alumni and Advancement boards
          • Local and state government partners
          • Local and state business and civic leaders
          • Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Council
          • Greater Mount Pleasant community, which may include representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, economic development committees, business owners and landlords.