Be part of the conversation, gain insight, and contribute your valuable perspectives. Together, we'll chart a course that reflects our collective vision and aspirations. Stay tuned for upcoming events and updates.
The Board of Trustees meeting focused on Westfield State University’s upcoming five-year strategic plan, built on four key goals: Foster Innovative Learning, Maintain and Build Upon Student Success, Align Resources, and Institutional Success. These priorities, refined during a recent Cabinet retreat, will guide our future.
A Cabinet retreat was held to finalize goals and objectives.
A Cabinet retreat on June 25 set institutional goals for the next five years, with Dr. Richard Freeland’s guidance.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Owls Nest
Student Town Hall facilitated by Student Representatives Alexis Pratt & Daniel Currier
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2023 3:30 PM SGA ROOM | ELY CAMPUS CENTER
Join us to learn more about the development of the University's new strategic plan and the work of the Strategic Planning committee.
No RSVP required. All are encouraged to attend in-person. No livestreaming option will be provided.
Please save the date for a Strategic Planning Town Hall on Monday, April 22 at 12:00 pm in Dever Stage, where we will offer a presentation on the entire planning process and the work of the committee. More details will be shared closer to the date.
Join 3 online (de)Caffeinated Conversations this week:
Optimizing Value for Students: Tue, April 16, 11:30 am -12:30 pm
Financial Stewardship: Wed, April 17, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
Campus Culture: Wed, April 17, 2:00-3:00 pm
Hosted by respective sub-committees. Your input is crucial for our strategic plan. Also, join our Town Hall on Mon, April 22 at 12:00 pm in Dever Stage.
We invite you to a series of open, drop-in sessions focused on each theme or area of the plan. We are calling these sessions “Caffeinated Conversations” as we will provide coffee and a brief presentation of our work in exchange for your feedback, expertise, questions, and ideas for consideration. Each sub-committee will host two sessions on their focus area, and we encourage you to join a session in each area as the content will be different for each sub-committee.
Focus 1 - Campus Culture
Focus 2 - Student Value
Focus 3 - Finances
Dear Campus Community:
I am pleased to share with you highlights from our recent Board of Trustees meeting held on February 20, 2025.
This year we will release Westfield State University’s strategic plan for the next five years. After input from the entire campus over the last year, four goals were chosen by our Strategic Plan Committee and leadership team to shape and guide our future.
In the tradition and context of a public university we remain dedicated to excellent teaching, applied research and creativity, and the best of service. This commitment inspires us to develop a community of belonging that supports all individuals to reach their peak potential.
At the end of January, we held a cabinet retreat where we reviewed our progress over the past several months and finalized four foundational goals which were approved by the Board of Trustees:
Goal 1: Foster Innovative Learning
We will align institutional resources with innovative and relevant academic programs that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in emerging career opportunities and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world.
Goal 2: Maintain and build upon Student Success
Our aim will be fostering and celebrating a campus culture of belonging and pride, focused on student engagement and success.
Goal 3: Align Resources
We will strengthen and broaden the use of campus resources by strategically aligning human, capital and financial assets within the University’s mission and vision. This includes optimizing resource allocation, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and ensuring financially sustainable practices that directly support the achievement of the University’s long-term strategic goals.
Goal 4: Institutional Success
Our aim is to enhance a dynamic community of engaged scholars who use scholarship for innovation, applied research, and creativity.
We all have a role to play in weaving these themes into the fabric of our campus. I wish to thank the entire campus, the Strategic Plan Committee, and Cabinet, for their contributions to move us forward for the next five years.
Dear Campus Community:
This year, the 185th anniversary of Westfield State University, we focused on the theme of infinite possibilities. Our legacy of providing a relevant, purposeful, impactful education has stood the test of time, and we continue to innovate in educating students to meet the needs and requirements of a 21st century workforce.
I know all of you are aware that we are entering a critical time in higher education and we must be aggressive and innovative on how we attract, educate and retain our students.
To help guide us with our goals and objectives for the next five years, I want to remind you of the themes we have developed for our Strategic Plan, which are:
I have assigned, the Provost, and the vice presidents of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, and Institutional Advancement to review one proposed goal and accompanying objectives to further enhance, shape, and finalize for campus and board consideration.
In January, we will hold a cabinet retreat to share goals, objectives and discuss missing outlying areas. We will then begin writing.
In February we aim to submit a draft to the All University Committee and The Board of Trustees, for review.
In March, we will hold campus town halls with faculty, students, librarians, staff, and the local community, and in April our goal is to finalize the plan and submit to the Board of Higher Education.
I would like to thank all involved in crafting this plan and I hope to see many of you at the town hall meeting. I very much depend on all of you in assisting me in crafting goals and objectives that will lead to the betterment of our University.
Thank you for your time and contributions in helping to define and present our mission.
Shaping our Strategic Plan
One of the most important elements that defines who we are and guides us to where we are going is our Strategic Plan.
As we work to update our five-year Strategic Plan, I deeply appreciate the contributions and participation from everyone, on-and-off campus, as we chart the next chapter of infinite possibilities at Westfield State University. I wish to thank our Strategic Plan Committee in developing four strong themes upon which to plan our goals and objectives.
The themes are:
We are currently working with these themes to develop goals and objectives that will lead our future direction. I am pleased with our progress as we take steps to reinforce a culture of learning and caring.
Dear Campus Community:
I write to provide an update to our ongoing five-year strategic planning efforts. I truly appreciate the contributions and participation from everyone, on and off campus, as we chart the next chapter of infinite possibilities at Westfield State University.
Many thanks to our facilitators, SME Strategy Management, and Dr. Michael Freeman who initiated the process in August, and the Strategic Plan Committee led by Drs. Sabine Klein and Kevin Hearn. After many meetings and discussions, we are moving toward a shared vision to develop measurable goals to achieve desired results.
I want to outline the four phases of activities completed from August 2023 until present.
In Phase 1, SME Strategy Management conducted 12 stakeholder visioning sessions and nine stakeholder surveys between August and December 2023. SME Strategy Management and Dr. Freeman compiled and analyzed the data collected and presented findings to inform the next phase: Forming the Strategic Plan Committee.
Phase 2 of the process, from February to May 2024, involved the naming of the Committee. To ensure the widest inclusion, faculty, staff, and students from all levels of the University were invited to participate. Attention was paid to include representation from all unions and all academic schools. The Committee, chaired by Drs. Klein and Hearn conducted a three-day strategy session facilitated by SME to identify priorities, risks, opportunities, and challenges. Their effort produced three priority areas and potential goals and actions.
The Committee met weekly and developed feedback sessions (caffeinated conversations and two town hall meetings) and produced a document which was presented to my office and the Cabinet for the next phase: Creation of strategic plan goals, objectives, actions, and responsibilities.
In Phase 3, the Cabinet met on June 25 using the information from SME and the Strategic Plan Committee to agree upon and advance a set of institutional goals for the next five years. The Cabinet has additional meetings set for July 11 and July 30 to discuss and finalize goals. We are also fortunate to have the guidance and counsel of former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education and President of Northeastern University, Dr. Richard Freeland. His insights and perspective from DHE and NECHE accreditation has been invaluable in keeping a realistic focus on critical institutional requirements. The Cabinet and I will present the final proposed Strategic Plan to the Board of Trustees at their retreat on August 9.
By fall 2024 we will enter Phase 4 which will celebrate the engagement and accomplishments of the community and acknowledge the level the participation by presenting the strategic goals to the campus for reflection and feedback.
Again, I am very pleased with our progress as we take steps to reinstitute a culture of caring, a focus on value for our students, and a healthy financial future.
Your participation in the process assures this plan will move Westfield State University forward together.
Warmly,
Linda
Student Town Hall facilitated by Student Representatives Alexis Pratt & Daniel Currier
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2023 3:30 PM SGA ROOM | ELY CAMPUS CENTER
Join us to learn more about the development of the University's new strategic plan and the work of the Strategic Planning committee.
No RSVP required. All are encouraged to attend in-person. No livestreaming option will be provided.
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
University Town Hall
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2023 12:00 PM DEVER AUDITORIUM | PARENZO HALL
Join us to learn about the University's new strategic plan and the work of the Strategic Planning committee. No RSVP required. All are encouraged to attend in-person. No livestreaming option provided.
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
University Town Hall
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2023 12:00 PM DEVER AUDITORIUM | PARENZO HALL
Join us to learn about the University's new strategic plan and the work of the Strategic Planning committee. No RSVP required. All are encouraged to attend in-person. No livestreaming option provided.
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
Dear WSU Campus Community,
The Strategic Planning Committee thanks attendees of our 6 Caffeinated Conversations. Join 3 online (de)Caffeinated Conversations this week:
Optimizing Value for Students: Tue, April 16, 11:30 am -12:30 pm
Financial Stewardship: Wed, April 17, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
Campus Culture: Wed, April 17, 2:00-3:00 pm
Hosted by respective sub-committees. Your input is crucial for our strategic plan. Also, join our Town Hall on Mon, April 22 at 12:00 pm in Dever Stage.
Best, Sabine Klein and Kevin Hearn
Strategic Planning Co-Chairs
Dear WSU Campus Community,
The Strategic Planning Committee would like to thank those of you who attended our first 3 Caffeinated Conversations last week and remind you that we are hosting 3 more again this week, one for each theme of the Strategic Plan.
Campus Culture: Tuesday, April 9, 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Owl’s Nest
Optimizing Value for Students: Wednesday, April 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m., University Hall Meeting Room A/B
Financial Stewardship: Thursday, April 11, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., University Hall Meeting Room A/B
Each of these sessions is hosted by the sub-committee working on that theme. They are another opportunity for the committee to incorporate feedback from the university community into the strategic plan under development.
Please share your thoughts and ideas by attending sessions for as many of the different themes as possible.
Additionally, please save the date for a Strategic Planning Town Hall on Monday, April 22 at 12:00 pm in Dever Stage, where we will offer a presentation on the entire planning process and the work of the committee.
Best,
Sabine Klein
Kevin Hearn
Strategic Planning Co-Chairs
*REMINDER*
Dear Campus Community,
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the work of the Strategic Planning Committee. Following our 3-day focused session in early February, we continue to meet weekly and expect to do so for the remainder of the academic year.
As we move forward, we are working in three sub-committees, each championing an area of the proposed plan. The themes or focus for each sub-committee were determined by our prioritization of the goals that have emerged from our analysis of your input and the knowledge and expertise of our committee members. We are now in the process of refining the areas of focus and sharpening our recommendations in each area so while the descriptions of each area provided below are not final, we expect to move these forward in our proposed strategic plan.
These areas of focus are as follows:
Looking ahead, we are again asking you to join us in our work by participating in a series of open, drop-in sessions focused on each theme or area of the plan. We are calling these sessions “Caffeinated Conversations” as we will provide coffee and a brief presentation of our work in exchange for your feedback, expertise, questions, and ideas for consideration. Each sub-committee will host two sessions on their focus area and we encourage you to join a session in each area as the content will be different for each sub-committee.
Focus 1 - Campus Culture
Focus 2 - Student Value
Focus 3 - Finances
Additionally, please save the date for a Strategic Planning Town Hall on Monday, April 22 at 12:00 pm in Dever Stage, where we will offer a presentation on the entire planning process and the work of the committee. More details will be shared closer to the date.
Thank you for your continued engagement with this critical work. If you have any questions or concerns or simply want to learn more, please contact any member of the Strategic Planning Committee listed below. We all consider it an honor to represent our University community in this work.
Dr. Sabine Klein
Dr. Kevin Hearn
Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
Dear Campus Community,
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the work of the Strategic Planning Committee. Following our 3-day focused session in early February, we continue to meet weekly and expect to do so for the remainder of the academic year.
As we move forward, we are working in three sub-committees, each championing an area of the proposed plan. The themes or focus for each sub-committee were determined by our prioritization of the goals that have emerged from our analysis of your input and the knowledge and expertise of our committee members. We are now in the process of refining the areas of focus and sharpening our recommendations in each area so while the descriptions of each area provided below are not final, we expect to move these forward in our proposed strategic plan.
These areas of focus are as follows:
Looking ahead, we invite you to a series of open, drop-in sessions focused on each theme or area of the plan. We are calling these sessions “Caffeinated Conversations” as we will provide coffee and a brief presentation of our work in exchange for your feedback, expertise, questions, and ideas for consideration. Each sub-committee will host two sessions on their focus area, and we encourage you to join a session in each area as the content will be different for each sub-committee.
Focus 1 - Campus Culture
Focus 2 - Student Value
Focus 3 - Finances
Additionally, please save the date for a Strategic Planning Town Hall on Monday, April 22 where we will offer a presentation on the entire planning process and the work of the committee. More details will be shared closer to the date.
Thank you for your continued engagement with this critical work. If you have any questions or concerns or simply want to learn more, please contact any member of the Strategic Planning Committee listed below. We all consider it an honor to represent our University community in this work.
Dr. Sabine Klein
Dr. Kevin Hearn
Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
Dear Campus Community,
We write today to provide an update on the University’s Strategic Planning process.
As President Thompson noted in the recent State of the University address, the development of our new Strategic Plan shapes our shared future by directing our decisions and actions. It will be the guide for us to move collectively through the next five years and beyond as we focus on the values, ideals, and goals that we develop and execute together.
Recently, the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) met with SME Strategic Consulting for three days of Concentrated work to shape our plan. Thanks to your participation in visioning sessions, focus groups, and surveys, the SPCE was able to work with over 100 pages of your ideas and goals for our future. This vital information allowed us to complete a SWOT and PESTLE analysis of the University’s current state, consider our future through the lens of a risk analysis, and identify three strategic focus areas for the campus community.
We thank those who graciously gave of their time and energy to these three days, and we also thank the colleagues of our committee members who helped cover responsibilities to allow us the opportunity to collaborate. You can see from the list of committee members below that this plan is being developed by a diverse group of representatives. These individuals come from all areas of our campus community and bring unique perspectives to the work to ensure that this plan represents the viewpoints and goals of the entire campus.
At the conclusion of our time together, President Thompson asked the two of us, Dr. Kevin Hearn, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Dr. Sabine Klein, Associate Dean in Academic Affairs, to serve as committee co-chairs moving forward. She also asked Maria Feuerstein, Associate Vice President of Strategic Finance and Institutional Planning; Dr. Leslie Rice, Executive Director of Communication, Marketing, and Branding; Daniel Currier, Student Trustee; and Alexis Pratt, Student Representative, to serve with us as the Executive Committee for SPC. As a leadership group, we pledge our commitment to sharing information about the plan and inviting participation from everyone as we move forward.
Strategic Planning will only be effective if we are all committed to the process of bringing ideas, goals, and efforts together for the future of our University. We encourage you to connect with the committee members listed here or reach out to use at StrategicPlanning@westfield.ma.edu to learn more about our work and share your thoughts.
The future is bright for Westfield State University and we look forward to our shared success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sabine Klein
and
Dr. Kevin Hearn
Strategic Planning Committee Members:
One-hundred-eighty-five years is a very long time for an institution of higher education to be in existence. Westfield State University has stood the test of time by educating learners and enriching communities across the Commonwealth. As we celebrate our history during this special time, we also have the opportunity to shape the next five years strategically, as Westfield State University expands upon infinite possibilities of success. This is why you have been selected to serve on the strategic plan committee.
Strategic plans set the guideposts and paths for organizations to achieve important goals. Over February 5-7 in Scanlon Hall Banquet Room A, you will engage with SME Strategic consulting to address important questions such as, who will be in the future? What important innovations in learning should we use? How will we communicate new and important directions? Your participation on the strategic plan committee is critical to shaping a future we think consists of infinite possibilities.
The work of institution-wide strategic planning will require a commitment of your time. We are asking you to participate 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for three days. You might think three days how can I spend so much time? What about my work? The commitment of time underscores the importance of this effort. We know you might not be able to participate every minute. Give us what you can. Over the three days we will provide breakfast, lunch and snack breaks.
At the end of the three days I am certain we will have a wonderful beginning to the next 185 years of Westfield State University. Please know you have my gratitude and the support needed to fulfill this important endeavor.
I am sharing again my thoughts on a future for Westfield State. I hope these ideas will guide your thinking and shape our collective direction.
I wish you all well as you embark on this journey and look forward to your thoughts for our Westfield.
Warmly,
Linda
