Strategic Planning Forum Agenda
• Purpose
• Process
• Timeline
• Large Group Discussion
• Separate Rotating Groups Discussions
• Report out / Next Steps
Purpose
Why We Engage in Strategic Planning
• Aligning all efforts with the college's mission and vision (a shared compass).
• Ensuring resources are directed toward the most critical goals.
• Providing a flexible framework to adapt to evolving student needs, industry demands, and state regulations.
• Demonstrating fiscal and academic responsibility and accountability to our students, faculty, staff, and community.
Process
Planning
• We will appoint a Steering Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) Gathering Insights
• Comprehensive Analysis
• Internal Data Gathering
• Stakeholder Engagement through town halls, forums, targeted focus groups, or anonymous surveys
Process (cont'd)
Assessing Data & Developing the Plan
• Analyze the data gathered in the prior phase.
• Review and, if necessary, draft revisions to the institution's mission, vision, and values.
• Steering committee develops a small number of high-level, long-term strategic goals, often referred to as “pillars.”
• The committee and associated task forces then brainstorm and design specific, actionable objectives and initiatives for each pillar.
Validating the Plan
• Share drafts of the proposed goals, objectives, and initiatives with the campus community for feedback.
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each objective.
• Feedback is incorporated. Final plan is presented to the Board of Trustees for formal review and approval.
Timeline
• Phase I: Launch (September – October 2025): Plan process, set dates for forums, and launch a communications plan.
• Phase II: Engagement & Feedback (October – December 2025): Conduct a comprehensive environmental scan and internal data review, administer a college-wide survey, and host a series of stakeholder forums (three internal: faculty, staff, students; two external: Okaloosa & Walton Counties). President to appoint SPC.
• Phase III: Synthesis & Direction Setting (December 2025 – January 2026): SPC analyzes all gathered data, holds a retreat to synthesize key themes, may draft a renewed Mission/Vision/Values statement, and proposes the 3-5 high-level strategic pillars.
Timeline (Cont'd)
• Phase IV: Drafting the Plan (January – March 2026): Thematic Working Groups are formed to draft specific SMART objectives, key strategies, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for their pillar. SPC consolidates and shares the draft for college community review.
• Phase V: Finalization & Approval (March – May 2026): Incorporate final feedback, present the plan to the Cabinet, and present the final plan to the Board of Trustees for formal approval.
• Phase VI: Implementation & Communication (June – July 2026): Strategic Communications sets up a webpage, communicates the plan to the community, and IR creates a dashboard to monitor the KPIs.
Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles
Mission Statement
As Northwest Florida’s premier educational institution, we prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s success.
To transform lives through exemplary, relevant programs and educational experiences, meeting the workforce demands of our ever-changing economy. Guiding
Vision Statement
Discussion: Questions Based on Survey Data
Should the NWFSC current vision and mission change? If so, in what way(s) should it change?
How can faculty be more involved in institutional decision making? In what kind of specific decision making would faculty like to be involved?
What strategies can be implemented to align college priorities with faculty interests?
What steps can be taken to ensure faculty have sufficient resources to effectively perform their job duties?
Rotating Group Discussion: Core Institutional
Strengths and Challenges
Next Steps