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CSU Launches Strategic Plan Effort, Seeks Community Input

Jeanne Fratello
10/31/2024

The CSU’s first strategic plan in more than a decade aims to position the university as a national model for serving America’s new majority.

 

As the California State University prepares to develop its first systemwide strategic plan in more than 10 years, the university is seeking input from its stakeholders.

The development of the plan reflects the CSU's commitment to engage in long-term planning that will position the university system to be the national model for public higher education and educating America's new majority, according to CSU Chancellor Mildred García.

“This is a rare, transformational moment," said García. “Together, we can reimagine the CSU's future and chart a bold and innovative path forward. We already know the destination—to serve as a national model for educating America's new majority, comprised of first-generation students, students of color, low-income students and adults seeking a brighter future. Our task is to develop the roadmap—a three-year systemwide strategic plan, the first in more than a decade."

The plan aims to offer a guiding framework for alignment across campus-level plans while allowing universities to address their unique needs and serve their communities. It will seek to define the CSU's overarching vision—providing clarity and ensuring that all constituents and stakeholders understand the CSU's identity, values and strategic priorities, as well as how the university intends to advance those priorities.

The project will be led by a steering committee, made up of CSU trustees, presidents and faculty and student leaders, to serve a critical advisory role—along with higher education consulting firm Sova, which will conduct stakeholder engagement.

“Community engagement is critical to the strategic planning process," said Alison Kadlec, founding partner of Sova. “By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the CSU system, we can ensure that the strategic plan truly reflects the needs and aspirations of stakeholders throughout the system."

Kadlec continued: “Every voice matters, and it's through these varied viewpoints that we can craft a roadmap that not only addresses today's challenges but paves the way for a brighter future for CSU students and communities."

CSU Community Encouraged to Participate

The CSU and its Sova partners are offering multiple opportunities for community members to provide feedback, through virtual town halls and by submitting input on the strategic plan website.

Upcoming virtual town hall events begin on Monday, November 4. View the links to register for those events below.

Community members are also encouraged to submit questions and comments via this contact form. 

Following the year-long consultative process, Sova will give its final presentation to the Board of Trustees in September 2025.


For further questions, visit the strategic plan's FAQ page. The FAQ page will be updated on an ongoing basis​.