On behalf of the University Strategic Planning Committee, co-chairs Provost Dr. Steve Michael and Trustee Dr. Theresa Rollins would like to thank the community for their quick and enthusiastic responses to the Strategic Planning Survey concluded yesterday. The Committee received prompt and extensive feedback to the online survey in spite of the time constraints.

More than 1,800 responses were received with strong response rates from all the stakeholder groups.  Particularly exciting was the participation of 198 staff members, 699 students, and 717 alumni. The response rate of more than 75 percent for full-time faculty members and trustees is especially noteworthy. “This level of participation indicates the high degree of interest for an inclusive and visionary plan for the University,” say Drs. Michael and Rollins.

“Arcadia has a tradition of building upon its strengths,” says Margaret Wright Steele, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Arcadia University. “I am encouraged to see the communities’ pride and participation in the plan for our future.”

“There are going to be many more opportunities for input,” says Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III, Arcadia University President. “I am glad so many of us took the time to respond to this survey, which will set the path for what is to come.”

The Planning Committee now has the pleasant task of analyzing massive quantitative data that will inform subsequent deliberations.

Starting this February and extending to March, the Planning Committee will begin the process of collecting qualitative data using focus group and interview approaches. The co-chairs noted, “Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible; hence, focus group opportunities will be provided for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees to further discuss summary of the survey, identify critical questions that Arcadia must strive to answer in the coming years, solicit perspectives on strategies that should be adopted to respond to emerging external opportunities.”

Focus group sessions will be conducted in small groups and further information about their schedules will be announced to the community.

An overview of the planning process and names of the members of the Planning Committee are available on MyArcadia. (Log in to MyArcadia; select the Planning tab; and then click Strategic Planning.)