Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Process 2024-25

November 2024

Over the next year, the University will embark on an exciting, collaborative journey to create ��ú’s new strategic plan. This plan will guide the university toward our third century of excellence and impact.

The Strategic Planning Process (SPP) will be chaired by Dr. Ian Sutherland, President and Vice-Chancellor, and facilitated by a diverse and multifaceted team. This team will be formed in the coming weeks through an open call to the university community.

As part of this initiative, Dean of Libraries and Archives Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Craig Brett, professor of economics and secretary of senate, have been appointed as the strategic planning co-leads. They bring significant expertise and leadership to these important roles in guiding the process forward.

About the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team

Nominations were open for students, faculty, and staff from October 28 to November 8. We are currently reviewing the applications and will provide more information soon.

The Strategic Planning Facilitation Team will foster a collaborative and inclusive planning process grounded in ��ú’s mission, vision, and values. Working with the President (Chair), co-leads (Dr. Craig Brett & Dr. Rachel Rubin), and an expert consulting firm, the team’s key roles and responsibilities will include:

Shaping understandings of the current realities and possible future scenarios of the higher education landscape
Designing a ground up, engaging, participatory consultation process
Facilitating discussions and workshops to gather input from the community
Compiling and analysing consultation data
Producing a “What We Heard” document
Analyzing feedback and data to inform the strategy development process
Seeking and working with feedback from across the university community
Collaborating with team members to draft and refine strategic goals and initiatives
Drafting the university’s new strategic plan
Communicating progress and updates to the wider community

Time Commitment

It is anticipated that SPFT members will be engaged up to 2 hours per week, on average. This includes weekly team meetings. The nature of the strategic planning process and work will mean ebbs and flows in busyness. It is to be recognized, understood, and taken into account that team members will have differing availability and commitments throughout the strategic planning journey. That’s ok! The team will be attentive to the needs of members, and will comprise a critical mass so as to allow the sharing of workload in as equitable a manner as possible. Of course, the team will be supported by the resources of an external consulting firm as well as dedicated ��ú staff (administrative and communications).

Eligibility and Nomination Process

We invite nominations from students, faculty, and staff. Here’s what we are looking for in our team members:

Passion for ��ú and its strategic directions
Strong teamwork and listening skills
Creativity and curiosity
Openness to exploring wide variety of ideas, possibilities, and opportunities
Strong interpersonal competencies and experience working with diverse groups
Commitment to inclusivity and community engagement
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Experience with strategic planning would be of benefit
Facilitation skills would be of benefit

Selection Process

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of the chair (Dr. Ian Sutherland, President and Vice-Chancellor) and co-leads (Dr. Rachel Rubin, dean of library and archives, and Dr. Craig Brett, economics professor and secretary of senate). Selected nominees may be contacted for an interview to further discuss their interest and fit for the team.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and participatory process, and we encourage applications from all segments of our community. Together, we can build a strategic plan that is both visionary and grounded in the diverse realities of our vibrant university life.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and working together to shape the future of our university!

Questions? Email strategicplan@mta.ca.

Strategic Planning Facilitation Team

Chair of Process, Dr. Ian Sutherland, President and Vice-Chancellor
Team Co-Lead, Dr. Rachel Rubin, Dean of Libraries and Archives
Team Co-Lead, Dr. Craig Brett, Professor of Economics and Secretary of Senate

Nominations were open for students, faculty, and staff from October 28 to November 8. We are currently reviewing the applications and will provide more information soon.