- Built on the integration plans that united California, Clarion and Edinboro universities to create PennWest University.
- Engaged a wide variety of stakeholders – students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members – in opportunities to provide input, review key work and offer feedback.
- Resulted in both a comprehensive strategic plan and a University Planning Council, starting in Fall 2023, to monitor and assess initiatives identified in the plan.
PennWest Strategic Planning Process
Pennsylvania Western University has yearlong planning process to shape its future and create a five-year strategic plan. This process:
A Strong Foundation
PennWest’s strategic planning process was modeled on the in-depth integration planning that took place from Fall 2020 through Summer 2022. Integration planning, which involved more than 600 students, faculty, staff, trustees and community members, laid the groundwork for our university.
Some key elements:
- Strategic analysis to map PennWest’s strengths, challenges and potential.
- Identification of long-term goals and specific strategies for reaching them.
- Initial components of PennWest’s mission, vision and values.
A Collaborative Process
The planning process was led by a Strategic Planning Committee chaired by Dr. Susanne Fenske and composed of members from across the university.
Throughout the process, students, faculty, staff, trustees and community members had the opportunity to provide input and feedback to inform the committee’s work.
The committee also communicated with our campus communities, providing updates as its work on the strategic plan progressed.
PennWest’s strategic planning process was informed by five values:
- Learning: We are a community of educators who provide a learning environment where students thrive and achieve their educational, professional, and personal goals.
- Growth: We are student-ready, guiding our students toward personal, financial, and academic success.
- Inclusion: We advocate for all members of our campus communities and provide a supportive environment that builds a sense of belonging and togetherness.
- Collaboration: We engage in innovative partnerships, programs, and opportunities to address the needs of our regional communities and the state.
- Culture: We share a sense of purpose that unites everyone and provides opportunities to learn, work, and thrive.
Through the lens of these values, planning was organized around seven focus areas:
- Academic innovation and excellence
- Affordability
- Career readiness
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Enrollment growth
- Fiscal sustainability and efficiency
- Student success
Ongoing Assessment
The PennWest University Strategic Planning Council (USPC) is responsible for implementing and assessing the strategic plan by monitoring measurable goals, objectives, and indicators of institutional effectiveness.
Membership
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Susanne Fenske | Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs; Chair |
| Becky McMillen | Executive Director, Institutional Effectiveness |
| Brenda DePaoli | Executive Staff Associate, Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs |
| Fawn Petrosky | Vice President, Finance and Administration |
| Jim Fisher | Interim Provost; Vice President, Academic Affairs |
| Kelly Repinski | Vice President, Communications and Marketing |
| Sheleta Camarda-Webb | Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer |
| Jesse Haight | Professor, Department of Education |
| Rebecca Wehler | Instructor, Department of Exercise, Health and Sports Sciences |
| Kristen Schaffner | Assistant Professor, Department of Education |
| Kristine Hall | Executive Staff Assistant, Finance and Administration |
| Traci Necciai | Director, Financial Aid |
| Cathy Connelly | Executive Director, Donor Relations |
| Emily Peters | Student Representative |
| Gage Gray | Student Representative |
| Jacob Sukhenko | Student Representative |
Timeline
| Date | Activity/Task | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | Strategic Planning Committee Drafts Plan | X |
| August 2023 | Strategic Plan Launched | X |
| Spring 2024 | University Strategic Planning Council (USPC) Launched | X |
| Summer 2024 | USPC Committees Meet & Monitor Tracker of Initiatives | Ongoing |
| February 2025 | 2023 – 2024 Annual Progress Report | X |
| March 2025 | Progress Report Shared with Institutional Stakeholders | |
| February 2026 | 2024 – 2025 Annual Progress Report | |
| March 2026 | Progress Report Shared with Institutional Stakeholders | |
| Fall 2025 | Begin the Process of Developing the next Strategic Plan | |
| Summer 2026 | Next Strategic Plan Drafted/Launched | |
| February 2027 | 2025 – 2026 Annual Progress Report/Final Report | |
| February 2027 | Progress Report Shared with Institutional Stakeholders |