Planning and engagement process

Background of the planning process 

The SPFT undertook these community discussions guided by the principle that everyone at the University be invited to at least one opportunity to provide input. 

With the support of Academica Group, the SPFT read background reports on the post-secondary educational sector and innovations at comparable institutions in programming, revenue generation, and campus and residential life. In addition, the team learned about university finances and reviewed internal plans and reports to gain greater insight into Mount Allison’s operations.

Within that broader context, the team considered feedback from the more than 800 members of the Mount Allison community who responded to the survey or provided input through consultation sessions and emails.

It speaks to the generosity of our community that so many students, faculty, staff, Regents, and alumni took time out of their busy lives to express their ideas, concerns, and hopes for Mount Allison's future. A 'What We Heard' document, reflecting and summarizing these contributions, was shared in June 2025.

In May 2025, Academica led a retreat of the SPFT at which the team developed the outline of the plan. The SPFT leads then workshopped the main ideas with President’s Council and a writing group drawn from the SPFT shaped the main ideas into this document.

TIMELINE
Oct. 2024	Academica Group hired as consultants SPFT co-leads recruited
Dec. 2024	Review of internal documents SPFT formed
Feb. 2025	Survey launched Live consultations begin
Mar. 2025	Live consultations continue Email feedback from community received
Apr. 2025	'What We Heard' presentation Community Café
May 2025	SPFT retreat Community Café with President's Council Writing group formed
Summer 2025	Drafting the plan
Fall 2025	Completion of the plan Endorsement of Senate and final approval by Board of Regents

 

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The team

The Strategic Planning Facilitation Team was co-led by Dr. Rachel Rubin, Dean of Libraries and Archives and Dr. Craig Brett (‘91), Professor of Economics and Secretary of Senate. Working with the committee chair, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ian Sutherland, the co-leads recruited a team of members chosen for their academic, professional, and personal expertise, as well for their wide array of lived and cultural experiences and perspectives.

The team included Regents, faculty members, staff, students, and alumni. It is notable that the team included Mount Allison alumni from four different decades, two of whom have returned to Mount Allison as faculty. With experience and training covering the liberal and performing arts, science, and business, this group of individuals generously contributed thoughtful, honest, and diverse perspectives on Mount Allison and its future.

The full membership:

• Chair of Process, Dr. Ian Sutherland*, President and Vice-Chancellor
• Team Co-Lead, Dr. Rachel Rubin*, Dean of Libraries and Archives
• Team Co-Lead, Dr. Craig Brett* ('91), Professor of Economics and Secretary of Senate
• Dr. Andrea Morash (‘05), Faculty of Science, Biology
• Dr. Caitlin McLaughlin, Faculty of Social Sciences, Commerce
• Dr. Beth Jewett*, Director of Extended Learning; Faculty of Arts, Canadian Studies
• Cassie Rodriguez, Staff, Student Life
• Emily Sanford*, Staff, Experiential Learning & Career Development
• Bently Huffington, Student, Biology, Commerce
• Nate Lesser, Student, Biology, Data Science
• Lakshmi Koduvelil Sayan, Student, Commerce
• Tanya Hage Coburn* (‘06), Alumni, Music and Psychology
• Logan Reid* (‘23), Alumni, Biology
• Lisa Yarmoshuk (‘88), Board of Regents, Economics
• Paul Henry (‘85), Board of Regents, Commerce

*Member of the writing team 

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Trudy Hicks, Executive Assistant and Alexandra Montana, Communications Officer for their invaluable contributions to this process. We would also like to thank Bonnie Crocker and her team at Academica Group for their support and guidance. 

Questions? Email strategicplan@mta.ca.