Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Process 2024-25

Updated January 13, 2025

Mount Allison University is embarking on an exciting, collaborative journey to create a new strategic plan. This plan will guide the University toward its third century of excellence and impact.

January Highlights & Next Steps

As we step into 2025, we are excited to share updates on the progress of the Strategic Planning Process and outline the next steps for this initiative.

Highlights from the First Strategic Planning Meeting

The Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT) held its first meeting, bringing together faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Board of Regents members. The meeting was an opportunity for the team to connect on a deeper level, establish a foundation of trust, and set the tone for their collaborative work.

Key outcomes included:

Establish principles for collaboration, such as valuing diverse perspectives, leveraging each other’s strengths, and staying accountable to deadlines.
Recognize the importance of supporting one another during the ebbs and flows of the strategic planning process.
Affirm their commitment to bold and innovative thinking while keeping the University’s goals at the forefront.

The team also discussed the significance of their work in shaping the University’s future and the need to remain focused on engaging the community and driving meaningful change.

Progress with Academica Group

The SPFT will work closely with the Academica Group, our consulting partner, to prepare for the community consultation phase of the strategic planning process. The team will play a central role in:

Designing the Consultation Process: Designing the framework for gathering input from the University community, including focus groups, surveys, and other engagement opportunities.
Facilitating Consultations and Analyzing Feedback: Leading discussions, collecting insights, and bringing feedback into key themes, directions, and goals for the University.

Next Steps

The next SPFT meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, and will focus on refining the consultation design and preparing to engage with the broader University community. We look forward to sharing more details about how you can participate in the coming weeks.

Your input and involvement are critical to this process. Together we will shape a bold, inclusive, and inspiring future for Mount Allison.

Strategic Planning Process Overview

Phase 1: Pre Planning

Draft Strategic Planning Process
Review and approval from the Board of Regents and Senate

Phase 2: Team selection

Finalize Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT) membership
Establish team principles and values
Overview of scope of work, deliverables, timelines
Establish standing meetings, roles, and responsibilities

Phase 3: Consultation

SPFT, in collaboration with Academica Group consulting firm, to develop reports on current and future trends
Facilitate University-wide sessions based on reports, seeding strategic conversations

Phase 4: Analysis & draft plan

SPFT, in collaboration with Academica Group consulting firm, to design a consultation process and assets
Conduct consultation with key community members
Analyze and draft the initial strategy

Phase 5: Approval

Completion of the plan. Seek endorsement of Senate and final approval, Board of Regents.

Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT)

The SPFT members represent a wide range of expertise, perspectives, experiences, and diverse talents that reflect the rich tapestry of our University community. Their combined skills and insights will be instrumental in guiding the strategic planning process.

The SPFT members are:

Andrea Morash (‘05) – Faculty of Science, Biology
Caitlin McLaughlin – Faculty of Social Science, Commerce
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
Logan Reid (‘23) – Alumni
Lisa Yarmoshuk (‘88) – Board of Regents
Paul Henry (‘85) – Board of Regents
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

Past Updates

Strategic Planning Key Updates & Next Steps – December 17, 2024

As we prepare to step into 2025, we are excited to enter the next phase of the strategic planning process. Together, we will embark on a meaningful journey to make a lasting impact on the future of Mount Allison University.

Strategic Planning Highlights for 2024

Appointed two strategic planning co-leads:
- Dr. Rachel Rubin, Dean of Libraries and Archives
- Dr. Craig Brett ('91), Professor of Economics and Secretary of Senate
Recently appointed the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT) composed of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the Board of Regents. Their skills and insights will be instrumental in guiding the strategic planning process and bring the diverse talents that make up our University community.
Partnered with Academica Group to help support and guide the planning process.

Looking Ahead to 2025

In January, the facilitation team will hold its first meeting to begin their work. They will be planning the consultation phases and working to bring the whole University together, gathering your input, ideas, concerns, and visions for our collective, successful future. This will include a myriad of exciting opportunities for all members of the University community to participate, including focus groups, consultations, surveys, and more. Your perspectives matter and your feedback is vital to the success of the planning process.

As the people who live, learn, teach, and work here, your expertise and ideas are essential. We look forward to your engagement and collaboration in the new year.

For more details about the SPFT and the strategic planning process, please visit mta.ca/strategicplan.

Let’s make 2025 a transformative year for our community!

Introducing the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team – December 4, 2024

As part of the ongoing efforts to shape Mount Allison’s future, we are excited to share a key update in our strategic planning process. After an extensive selection process with over 60 candidates to choose from, we are pleased to announce the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT).

The SPFT members represent a wide range of expertise, perspectives, experiences, and diverse talents that reflect the rich tapestry of our university community. Their combined skills and insights will be instrumental in guiding the strategic planning process.

The SPFT members are:
· Andrea Morash (‘05) – Faculty of Science, Biology
· Caitlin McLaughlin – Faculty of Social Sciences, Commerce
· Beth Jewett – Director of Extended Learning; Faculty of Arts, Canadian Studies
· Cassie Rodriguez – Staff, Student Life
· Emily Sanford – Staff, Experiential Learning & Career Development
· Bentley Huffington – Student, Biology, Commerce
· Nate Lesser – Student, Biology, Data Science
· Lakshmi Koduvelil Sayan – Student, Commerce
· Tanya Hage Coburn (‘06) – Alumni
· Logan Reid (‘23) – Alumni
· Lisa Yarmoshuk (‘88) – Board of Regents
· Paul Henry (‘85) – Board of Regents

The team will facilitate our strategic journey, one that will ultimately shape Mount Allison’s future as we move into our third century of impact. This 8–12-month journey will be built from the ground up, using highly consultative and iterative methods and incorporating feedback from the University community.

There will be plenty of opportunities to contribute to this vision. In 2025, you can expect many consultation and engagement sessions, surveys, questionnaires and other avenues to share your ideas and perspectives.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to shaping Mount Allison's future. We look forward to collaborating with all of you as we embark on this exciting journey together!

At any time, please feel free to reach out to us and the planning team at strategicplan@mta.ca

Join the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team – October 28, 2024

We are excited to announce an open call for nominations to join the Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT).

This team, working with the entire university community, will help us think strategically about the choices, actions, and priorities that will move Mount Allison successfully and sustainably into our third century of impact. As we set off on this journey together, your insights, expertise, and enthusiasm are crucial to ensuring our collective success.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the shaping of our institution's future, working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

How to Apply

Please fill out the Facilitation Team form Application by Friday, November 8. [Applications are closed]

Eligibility

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about Mount Allison’s future and bring strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills. Creativity, curiosity, and an openness to exploring a wide variety of ideas are also important, as is a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Experience in strategic planning and facilitation would be an asset, but is not required.

We welcome nominations from all members of the Mount Allison community—students, staff (academic and non-academic), faculty, and alumni.

For full details on the nomination process including team responsibilities and time commitments please visit mta.ca/strategicplan.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and working together to shape Mount Allison’s future!

Mount Allison launches collaborative strategic planning process – October 15, 2024

Over the next year, the University will embark on an exciting, collaborative journey to create Mount Allison’s new strategic plan. This plan will guide the University towards our third century of excellence and impact.

The Strategic Planning Process (SPP) will be chaired by myself as President and guided and facilitated by a diverse and multifaceted team. While that team will be formed in the coming weeks through an open call to the university community, today I am excited to announce the appointment of our strategic planning co-leads.

I am thrilled to welcome into these roles Dr. Rachel Rubin, dean of Libraries and Archives, and Dr. Craig Brett, professor of Economics and secretary of Senate.

Defining The University’s Strategic Vision

The SPP will help define our future – who we want to be as Mount Allison University, how we mould a future of excellence rooted in our academic mission to advance knowledge of all forms, nurturing the human condition.

Next Steps

Together, Rubin and Brett will oversee the formation of our Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT), approximately 10 individuals drawn from across the University community. Stay tuned for an open call for nominations to serve on this dynamic team; consider putting yourself forward or encouraging a friend or colleague.

Our strategic planning journey will be engaging and one that will build a new strategic plan from the ground up. It will be a highly consultative, inclusive, and iterative process where everyone will have the opportunity to contribute. We will engage and consult with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other key community members to ensure that everyone plays a role in shaping Mount Allison’s future.

Together, and with the leadership of Rubin and Brett, we will develop a strategic plan that blazes exceptional futures!

Throughout the SPP, updates will be shared on the progress via email and full details, including the timeline and process, will be available on the Strategic Planning website. More announcements will be forthcoming.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit mta.ca to read more about Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Craig Brett and I look forward to working with you all on this exciting initiative.