Divergence to Convergence

University at Albany University at Albany Headlines















ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2017) — The campus community got its first look at core elements of the University’s emerging strategic plan at the Spring Faculty Meeting on Thursday, when Darrell P. Wheeler, interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, presented drafts of a vision and mission statement and outlined the three major “strategic imperatives” that could unfold over the next three years:
Fostering a culture of excellence
Innovating UAlbany programs
Strengthening research
“These are things faculty can really get behind,” said Cynthia Fox, associate professor of Languages, Literatures & Cultures and past chair of the University Senate. Fox is a member of the 16-person Strategic Planning Committee.

Each of these goals will be supported by nine “initiatives.” Teams are working now to develop “expedition maps” to guide the actions necessary to achieve each. Wheeler said that details are still taking shape and more information will be shared in the weeks ahead.
The meeting was the first step in what Leanne Wirkkula, vice president for planning, policy and compliance and co-chair with Wheeler of the Strategic Planning Committee, called “a campus dialog on what is emerging as our strategic framework.” University Senate Chair James Collins moderated the forum.
Interim President James R. Stellar opened the event by inviting anyone who had been involved in the planning process this academic year to stand up. About two-thirds of the 100 or so faculty and staff members in attendance rose to their feet.
Stellar praised the widespread participation and said that he thinks UAlbany is “an institution on the move.” He added that maintaining the momentum requires a plan that has broad support. “If you don’t think the plan came from you, if you don’t have a certain ownership, then the plan is nothing. Culture eats plans for lunch.”
The planning process employed a “design thinking” model, which began in the fall ...

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