In October 2015, we embarked on a strategic planning initiative that sought to help the University community articulate a vision for Cal State LA’s future, and create a framework to make that vision a reality. A Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee, composed of faculty, staff, students, and administrative representatives, was created to lead this initiative. Our approach was collaborative, inclusive, and transparent, with a range of engagement opportunities that ensured every voice in our community was heard.
Strategic Planning is the process of assessing what the institution wants and needs to do in order to advance its mission and goals. The process involved evaluating existing and anticipated conditions and creating a vision of the future that is most beneficial for the institution. Subsequently a set of actions, responsibilities and resources were agreed upon to move the university in that direction while monitoring, assessing, and adjusting the action plan as needed in order to make the vision a reality. Progress toward our goals will be reviewed and revised annually.
Our objective was to make the strategic planning process collaborative, inclusive, and transparent. Our goal was that every voice had the opportunity to be heard. To that end, we hosted a series of interactive engagement workshops, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and other outreach efforts over the course of the strategic planning process. These opportunities allowed for input from a variety of stakeholders, including Cal State LA faculty, staff, students, alumni, community representatives, and friends.
The first campus-wide open forum was held in in January 2016. Workshops, focus groups, surveys, and other engagement opportunities were conducted from February through April. Following the initial draft of the strategic plan, additional opportunities for input and feedback through a series of town hall conversations took place before the strategic plan was finalized.
The final plan highlighting the four strategic priority areas was presented in August 2016 during Fall Convocation:
- Engagement, Service, and the Public Good
- Student Success
- Welcoming and Inclusive Campus
- Academic Distinction
The Strategic Plan is a living document that is intended to guide Cal State LA into the future. The plan is designed to be broad enough so that each member of our campus community can find ways to contribute toward one or more of the overarching goals, and ultimately ensure our University's success, in the months and years to come. The University created several consultative groups to coordinate the implementation of the plan:
- Graduation 2025
- An Inclusive Campus
- A Great Place to Work
- Academic Distinction (WASC Steering Committee)
- Engagement, Service, and the Public Good
- Student Life