the horse before the cart: institutional strategic planning to foster a culture of service
DESCRIPTION
Presented at 2010 Continuums of Service Conference. Portland, OR.TRANSCRIPT
The Horse Before The CartInstitutional Strategic Planning to Foster a Culture of
Service
Presented by Melanie Booth &
Amanda Baker
Marylhurst University
Agenda
About Us & About Marylhurst Our Horse: Strategic Planning in Higher
Education Our Cart: Marylhurst’s Service Program Our Journey: Culture-Building for Service Institutional Possibilities
About Us
Melanie Booth, Ed.D. Dean – Assessment & Director of Center for
Experiential Learning & Assessment Marylhurst Service Program supervisor
Amanda Baker Service Program Coordinator / AmeriCorps*VISTA
About Marylhurst University
Liberal Arts higher educational institution since 1893
Lifelong learning institution for men and women since 1974
Undergraduate and graduate programs
Online and on-ground programs Many students live in other
states Non-residential campus
Average age of students: 38 Mid-life adult learners
Marylhurst’s Mission
Marylhurst University seeks to aid students in advancing their goals
for responsible participation in a rapidly
changing world by pursuing, and
encouraging its students to pursue the ideals of competence,
leadership and service.
The Horse: Strategic Planning
Working with a partner or in small groups, please identify 2-3 key principles of strategic planning in higher education that you think are important. Example: Typically, strategic planning in
higher education is most effective when it is a collaborative process that involves engaged stakeholders.
Please share your ideas.
Envisioning Marylhurst Principle
We must continue to enact the University's mission of service and leadership.
Process Step 1: Visioning conference – to create vision themes Step 2: Strategic planning process – translating
themes into plans of action Products
A 30-year vision for Marylhurst University A five-year strategic plan following the creation of
that vision Strong ownership by key stakeholders Clarity around how the University's vision will unfold
over time
2 Relevant Themes
1. Embrace the founding mission and values of the University, as established by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, to educate the whole person, serve the underserved, promote interfaith dialogue, and engage in social action for the good of the community.
2. Pioneer the integration of liberal arts and professional studies to support lifelong learning.
The Cart: Outcomes / Actions
Engaging in Social Action & Service
* Make community-based service a more intentional and integral part of the University’s culture, including its educational offerings
* Create the Marylhurst Service Program
The Cart: MU Service ProgramAmeriCorps*VISTA / Campus Compact Grant Identify, create, and maintain service
partnerships Identify and coordinate service activities for
staff, faculty, students, alumni, and members of the community
Identify and create service-learning curriculum for programs / students / faculty
The Journey: Building Culture
Working with a partner or in small groups, please identify 2-3 key principles of culture building in higher educational institutions that you think are important. Example: Building culture involves creating
awareness of need.
Please share your ideas.
The Journey: Building Culture Our Map: The Marylhurst Mission Our Compass & Guides: Marylhurst Service
Advisory Committee Presidential Committee – ongoing / strategic Cross-campus / cross-departmental
representatives Task groups serve as guides and do-ers
Our Groomswoman: Amanda Baker Makes sure the horse is fed, watered, and
well-attended to
The Journey: Building Culture
Our Key Strategies – Year One1. Identification of What’s Already Happening
Informal conversations Formal inventories Raising awareness and providing recognition
2. Developing Service Philosophy Task Group 1Committee Committee Community
The Journey: Building Culture3. Planning New Activities
Service activities – Spring Into Service, Drives, Etc. Task Group 2
Service-learning – Compassion in Action Task Group 3
Partnership development – PIA, Clackamas Women’s Services Coordinator & Committee Members
The Journey: Building Culture4. Continual Dialogue & Promotion
Classroom Presentations Campus Events Marketing & PR Institutional Meetings Social Media: Blog, Facebook Newsletters Emails Flyers Lots of lots of talking about it!
Your Horses & Your Carts
Think about your own horses and carts for strategic planning and culture building that can help support your service-oriented goals: What structures / systems / stakeholders
might currently exist that are not being utilized (missed opportunities)?
Consider events, courses, programs, people, etc.
What new structures / systems could be developed to support the goals?
Consider events, courses, programs, people, etc.
Session Reflections
As time will allow, please feel free to share your reflections, ideas, or questions with the whole group.
Please complete an evaluation of this session.
THANKS FOR JOINING US!