A Framework for Excellence

As the 2004 – 2009 Strategic Plan neared its completion, the University recognized that many of the social and economic conditions that informed its original planning process had changed considerably. Facing a significant regional demographic shift (resulting in fewer available traditional age college students) and reductions in public financial support, Worcester State University recognized that it had to plan thoughtfully for the future to ensure that it could continue to offer quality academic programming in a fiscally responsible manner. To this end, the college-wide Strategic Planning Steering Committee was convened September, 2008. The membership of this committee was comprised of members of the faculty, the administration, students, trustees, and union leadership. The charge to the committee was to rely on specific data and trend analyses as part of its review of institutional challenges and opportunities. Based on these reviews, a series of subcommittees were formed to look at specific aspects of the University’s functions in developing strategic recommendations that could be incorporated into a comprehensive institutional plan.

Over two hundred members of the Worcester State University community participated in a year-long strategic planning process, which yielded a comprehensive catalogue of academic and operational recommendations. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee then reviewed these recommendations and developed a project matrix that will ensure that the specific propositions contained in the plan inform the College’s operations for the upcoming five years. Both the project matrix (a live, working document that is updated on a regular basis) and the full planning documents developed by the strategic planning subcommittees (approximately one hundred pages of details and recommendations) were approved the University’s Board of Trustees at its November, 2010 meeting. The strategic plan formally went into operation July 1, 2010.

The 2010 – 2014 Strategic Plan outlines specific goals and objectives that will enable Worcester State University to expand its ability to offer high quality academic programs and serve the educational needs of Worcester and the central Massachusetts region; the plan establishes a flexible framework to help the institution meet its mission. Perhaps of equal importance, the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan serves as a positive reminder of the tremendous creativity of the campus community and a reflection of its willingness to work collaboratively to provide enhanced learning opportunities for Worcester State University students, as well as for residents of the City of Worcester and its surrounding region.