UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees heard a report today (Sept. 16) from Executive Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones on the steps being taken to implement the University’s strategic plan.
Penn State’s strategic-planning process operates on a five-year cycle and includes unit- and University-level planning. Published in February, the plan articulates Penn State’s mission, vision and values, as well as foundations, thematic priorities and supporting elements, for 2016 through 2020.
Now that the strategic plan has been developed and released, Jones updated the board on the steps being taken and the processes that have been put in place to ensure that the University achieves the goals set forth in the plan.
“We put a lot of structure around implementation, which makes sense because our strategic planning processes aren’t haphazard endeavors,” Jones said. “The over-arching strategic plan was developed in conjunction with 48 academic and administrative units writing their strategic plans. This process was essential to ensure alignment — that we are all ‘on the same page.’”
As part of the process, all Penn State units will report regularly on their alignment with the strategic plan, their contributions to Penn State’s goals, outcomes and successes, as well as on any modifications made to their own strategic plans. Jones said these reports will help to ensure that implementation is focused and data-driven.
“Developing our strategic plan was a University-wide effort, and implementing it will be, as well,” said Jones. “I’m asking leaders on all of our campuses, and in all of our colleges, departments, and operating units, to connect our strategies to their day-to-day activities. I’m asking them to be engaged, accountable, communicative, and receptive to feedback and change. And I’m reminding them that without their leadership, we won’t achieve our desired outcomes.”
Click here to read Jones’ full remarks to the board.
The provost's presentation can be downloaded at http://www.psu.edu/ur/newsdocuments/ProvostReportBOT09162016.pdf.