The Strategic Planning Steering Committee completed its review of the white papers that were submitted as part of the strategic planning process for Wentworth 9.0. Thanks go out to all of you who worked on them. All of the ideas are good ones and it would be great if we could do them all. However, we cannot move all 41 forward.

The white papers had natural groupings, and most of the recommendations for further development suggested combining some of them into single proposals. While the individual white papers were mostly tactical in nature, the combinations of white papers identified larger strategic opportunities for the Institute.

Here are the recommendations of the SPSC for longer proposals, along with the strategic opportunity that was identified. (They are not rank-ordered.)

Strategy: Continue to Implement Graduate Programs
White Paper Title: “Engineering Graduate Programs”

Strategy: Improve the Campus Climate and Increase Diversity
White Paper Titles for a Combined Proposal:
“Diversity Recruitment”
“Wentworth Women’s Forum”

Strategy: Enhance Student Retention
White Paper Title: “Improving Lab/Studio Accessibility and Utilization”
White Paper Title: “Bridge Program”
White Paper Title: “Transitional Assistance for International Students”
White Paper Titles for a Combined Proposal:
“Early Alert System”
“Formalized Exit Interview”

Strategy: Emphasize Innovation and Entrepreneurship
White Paper Titles for a Combined Proposal:
“Innovation Lab”
“Institute Funded and Facilitated Research and Development”
“Entrepreneurship Incubator”

Strategy: Strengthen the Co-op Program
White Paper Titles for a Combined Proposal:
“Entrepreneurship Co-op”
“International Co-op Grant”
“Career Development Course”
“Career and Co-op Advising Model”
“Bridging the Gap between Academics and Co-op”

Strategy: Sustainability
White Paper Titles for a Combined Proposal:
“Sustainable Campus Facilities”
“SOLARWit Campus”
“Climatewise Campus Demonstration Project”
“Sustainability Financing for the Future”

Six strategies are still too many to implement at the same time. Most strategic planning experts recommend three. Three would enable us to concentrate our efforts and make sure that the final strategies lead to successful results.

There are two observations about this process so far.

First, it is open-ended. If you think something was missed by the SPSC or you don’t agree with our findings, you (or a group of you) are invited to submit a proposal anyway. It will be evaluated along with all of the others without prejudice. One group has already decided that they will follow this path and will submit a proposal on “Holistic and Unified Student Development.”

Second, no white paper for internationalization of the Institute’s programs was received. This is in spite of the fact that at last March’s strategic planning meeting international programs were identified as important to the Institute’s future. The Academic Leadership Group also identified developing a global outlook as a high priority for Wentworth 9.0. Several of you have said that you would have submitted a white paper in this area if you knew no one else was doing so. Here’s your opportunity now – please submit a proposal! Criteria and instructions about drafting and submitting proposals will be published and presented to the community in the coming weeks.

Best Regards,
Russ

We are in the midst of developing a new strategic plan to guide Wentworth into the future.  We are receiving lots of great white paper submissions!  Check them out on the LConnect Strategic Plan Tab.

Best Regards, 

Strategic Planning Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Russ Pinizzotto, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Amy Intille, Chief of Staff
Jack Duggan, Professor of Civil Engineering Technology
Jef Kalil, 1993 Wentworth Alumnus
Joe Kobrianos, former Wentworth Student Government President

We are in the midst of developing a new strategic plan to guide the Institute into the future. Before the academic year kicks into high gear, please consider sending the Strategic Planning Steering Committee a one-two page white paper proposal for any ideas you may have to enhance learning and the student experience at Wentworth.

We have scheduled a community-wide Open Forum on Monday, September 26 in Blount Auditorium at 3:30 pm to provide everybody with an opportunity to discuss their strategic planning ideas. On that occasion, President Pantić will outline five strategic opportunities for Wentworth and discuss how these overarching concepts support and expand on the key themes generated at Wentworth’s day-long brainstorming meeting in March 2011. We hope you will join us for the Open Forum.

There are several interesting white paper ideas already being generated, but we would like to know about all the proposals under development or at least being considered. Please send us a short email message by Friday, September 23 to DesigningTheFuture@wit.edu to let us know the topic of any planned or possible white papers.

To provide everyone with a little more time to prepare their white papers and participate in next week’s Open Forum, we have extended the white paper deadline to Tuesday, October 11.  Submissions should be sent to DesigningTheFuture@wit.edu.

A summary of the key themes for ideas generated at the day-long community brainstorming session in March, a list of information that you should include in your white paper, and a copy of Wentworth’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements are listed below.

Best Regards,

Strategic Planning Steering Committee Co-Chairs

Russ Pinizzotto, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Amy Intille, Chief of Staff
Jack Duggan, Professor of Civil Engineering Technology
Jef Kalil, 1993 Wentworth Alumnus
Joe Kobrianos, former Wentworth Student Government President

CPIR Overview – 110720
List of Information To Include in White Paper Project Proposals
Mission, Vision, and Values Statements

In designing Wentworth’s next strategic plan, we want to hear your ideas on enhancing learning and the student experience. White paper proposals for your vision of Wentworth’s future are now being accepted. Making a white paper submission is easy and all ideas (no matter the size) are welcome. Ideas will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a newly formed Strategic Planning Steering Committee, representing a cross-section of the campus community. Please submit ideas as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, September 30.

You will find a description of key themes for ideas generated at the day-long community brainstorming session in March to guide you in planning your proposal, a list of information that you should include in your white paper proposal, Wentworth’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements, and the list of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee members posted below. Please send your one-two page white paper proposals to DesigningTheFuture@wit.edu and be sure to check this blog for regular updates.

Everybody’s ideas and experiences at Wentworth are valued and important, and we need your help in designing the future direction of the Institute. Please send in your great ideas!

Best regards,

Strategic Planning Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Russ Pinizzotto, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Amy Intille, Chief of Staff
Jack Duggan, Professor of Civil Engineering Technology
Joe Kobrianos, Wentworth Student Government President
Jef Kalil, 1993 Wentworth Alumnus

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CPIR Overview – 110720
List of Information To Include in White Paper Project Proposals
Mission, Vision, and Values Statements
Strategic Planning Steering Committee 2

When:

Please join us for a campus-wide strategic planning meeting on Saturday, March 19, 2011 in the Tansey Gymnasium. The meeting will involve faculty, staff, students, trustees, corporators and others in generating ideas for Wentworth’s next five-year strategic initiative. This is an exciting time in Wentworth’s history and you can be a part of its next phase of growth by offering your ideas, thoughts and opinions in a day-long brainstorming session that will include interactive exercises, networking opportunities, great food and raffle prizes.

The opportunity to collaborate on Wentworth’s future is enticing enough but to sweeten the pot, we will have several prize drawings throughout the day including prizes such as an iPad, a Kindle, and a $75.00 American Express Card. (In order to be eligible to win one of these prizes, you are required to check-in by 9:00 a.m. and be present for the entire day. The drawing will take place at the end of the day.) We will also be giving away pairs of movie tickets/Cheesecake Factory gift cards and other prizes throughout the day.

Agenda

• 8:30 a.m. – Full Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions
• 9:30 a.m.  – Program
• 12:00 p.m. – Lunch
• 1:00 p.m. – Implementation
• 2:00 p.m. – Review
• 4:00 p.m. – Wrap -up