The University’s new strategic plan, Educate Connect Elevate: Illinois State—The Strategic Plan for Illinois’ First Public University 2018-2023, became effective at the start of the fiscal year in July. Educate Connect Elevate expands upon the previous version of the strategic plan, Educating Illinois, and provides the framework for the University’s vision, values, and objectives for the next five years.
“Educate Connect Elevate: will serve as a guide for divisions, units, and offices in planning and resource allocation decisions,” said President Larry Dietz. He praised the new strategic plan for its clear “desire to build on the strengths and successes of Educating Illinois, and to emphasize Illinois State’s broad educational reach.”
Enhancing strength and stability
The plan outlines specific measures to strengthen and stabilize the University with the goal of ensuring strong enrollment, attracting and retaining quality faculty and staff, strengthening the University’s financial position, and continuously improving sustainability and institutional effectiveness.
Fostering innovation
Through the support of innovative pursuits, the University plans to enhance organizational infrastructure and collaboration, support and expand academic programs and the advancement of research, and support academic program offerings to meet enrollment demand.
Nurturing diversity and inclusion
The plan’s diversity initiatives are aimed at creating better awareness and access to resources for Illinois State’s diverse students, faculty, and staff. Specifically, these initiatives will provide professional development toward cultural competency and inclusion, and will increase of the number of programs that focus on global perspectives.
Enriching engagement
Initiatives aimed at enriching engagement will focus on creating awareness of research opportunities; facilitating partnerships with organizations, governmental entities, and individuals; and integrating career development and readiness opportunities.
Illinois State’s core values include diversity and inclusion, learning and scholarship, individualized attention, civic engagement, and integrity. Additionally, Educate • Connect • Elevate features two new core values: respect and collaboration. These additions bring attention to Illinois State’s continued commitment to creating an environment that fosters a respectful exchange of ideas and opinions within the University and among its partners. Next steps include the formation of an implementation team of faculty, staff, and students who will work to bring the plan to life.
For a more comprehensive view of Educate Connect Elevate, visit StrategicPlan.IllinoisState.edu.
