Indiana State University Newsroom

The first draft of Indiana State University’s new strategic plan, Focusing on Our Future Together, was presented to the ISU Board of Trustees and campus Friday.

The draft plan is for a shorter time period than normal, covering Fall 2021 through Fall 2025.

“This will be a period of great change for higher education, which is why we decided to create a four-year plan,” ISU President Deborah J. Curtis said. “We feel it is important to really focus our priorities over the next four years in order to position the institution for the future.”

Curtis noted that a significant drop in high school graduates is anticipated in 2025.

The plan has five goals designed to advance the institution’s commitment to equity and inclusive excellence: expand access to higher education while increasing student success and degree attainment; utilize partnerships to deepen student learning; address community challenges and prepare a skilled workforce; ensure institutional sustainability; and enhance institutional reputation and pride.

Each goal has four to five strategies designed to drive progress toward the goals. There are also four to five key performance indicators for each goal that will be used along with supplemental data points to measure progress achieved.

The strategic planning process began last year and is being led by Dr. Brad Balch, dean emeritus and professor in the Bayh College of Education. Balch has more than 20 years of experience leading strategic planning efforts for various educational entities.

Feedback on the draft plan will be solicited through the end of March with a series of presentations to internal and external stakeholder groups augmented by an online survey. A final plan will be presented to the Board for endorsement in May.

The Board meeting also included:

--Rana Johnson, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives, made the annual report of the President’s Council on Inclusive Excellence.

--Trustees heard from Curtis that there is no change in ISU’s plan for in-person ceremonies for Spring 2021 Commencement.

--Curtis also said there would be no change in the academic calendar for 2021-22 that the trustees passed previously.

--The trustees approved namings to recognize gifts of $250,000 from the McKee family; $250,000 from Mike and Amy Alley; and $100,000 from Troy and Pam Biddle. (See separate news releases on each gift.)

--Curtis and others thanked and praised Provost Mike Licari, who is leaving to become President of Austin Peay State University.

Media contacts:

Mark Alesia, Director of University Communication

(O) 812-237-3837

(C) 812-229-8020

mark.alesia@indstate.edu

Dianne Powell, Associate Director of University Communication

(O) 812-237-8764

(C) 812-878-2131

DianneFrances.Powell@indstate.edu