Next steps on strategic pathways

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies today announced the appointment of faculty and staff who will convene working groups to address the university's strategic envisioning process.

"We have intentionally chosen to call these individuals co-conveners to reflect the role they will play as equal members — not leaders or chairs — of these working groups. Every member of the group is on equal footing," Davies said.

"Every person brings important perspectives and experience to the discussion, and they will all participate equally in the leadership and decision-making process."

Today's announcement is a next step in a process that began several months ago with discussions among many groups of university leaders and a great deal of work to refine the strategic envisioning process, Davies said.

The co-conveners will facilitate and participate in conversations within their working group, one for each of the five strategic pathways Davies outlined in his 2019 State of the University address.

"These strategic pathways provide focus and direction for our action over the next decade. Moreover, they provide the foundation for further planning," Davies said.

Davies said the strategic pathway working groups will be reappointed yearly. The co-conveners will be responsible for sharing their group's recommendations with a strategic planning steering committee, whose members will be announced soon.

The five strategic pathway working groups and co-conveners are:

Strategic Pathway 1: Enhance the overall academic quality and environment of CMU with a renewed commitment to rigor, relevance and excellence in our curricular, cocurricular and extracurricular programs.

• Mary C. Schutten, executive vice president and provost.
• Tony Voisin, interim vice president for enrollment and student services.

Strategic Pathway 2: Distinguish CMU as the equitable and inclusive marketplace of ideas, thoughts and actions.

• A.T. Miller, vice president and chief diversity officer.
• René Shingles, chair, School of Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences.

Strategic Pathway 3: Build and foster a reciprocal ecosystem of innovation, economic development and cultural enrichment between and among the many communities throughout the state of Michigan, with a primary connection to the rural and underserved communities that CMU has honorably and successfully served.

• David Ash, vice president for research and dean of graduate studies.
• Tom Masterson, dean, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions.

Strategic Pathway 4: Understand and proactively address the dynamic nature of the college student — both current and future.

• Ernie Bedford, manager, Michigan programs, enrollment and student services.
• Shaun Holtgreive, interim associate vice president, student affairs.

Strategic Pathway 5: Redefine and expand our business model to include opportunities in lifelong learning, partnerships with organizations and mid-career educational needs.

• Betty Kirby, dean, College of Education and Human Services.
• Chris Moberg, dean, College of Business Administration.

Davies said the university also will soon create a Strategic Envisioning 2030 website that will include working group charges, membership lists, meeting agendas and minutes, and more.

"The goal is to have this process be as transparent and inclusive as possible," Davies said.