Strategic Plan
Aurora University has launched a strategic planning process to create a five-year plan and a vision for the university’s future. The process began in January following the arrival of Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills as AU’s 14th president.
The plan's development is informed by national best practices and guidance from our partner EAB, a higher education consulting firm. It begins with a discovery phase in which we scan national and regional data in addition to internal data to learn about the higher education market and the world around us.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee will then use this work to identify thematic goals for the plan, which will be shared with the community for additional feedback. Finally, the committee will complete a draft of the strategic plan in support of these goals and of the university's mission and vision for the future.
Vital to this process are the voices of AU students, parents, faculty and staff members, members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, and friends of the university. Input from members of the AU community, both on and off campus, will help ensure the strategic plan reflects a shared vision and common goals to guide AU in the years to come. We invite you to share your opinions and suggestions by contacting strategicplan@aurora.edu.
You will find more information about the strategic planning process at AU on this page as it becomes available.
Input from members of the AU community, both on and off campus, is important to the strategic planning process to ensure the strategic plan reflects a shared vision and common goals to guide AU into the future. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee will be gathering input from our community in many ways, including through pulse surveys, focus groups, and interactive workshops. We encourage input from AU students, parents, faculty and staff members, alumni, and friends of the university.
Engagement opportunities for the campus community can be found on SpartanNet. Password is required.
We welcome your input. Please email strategicplan@aurora.edu.
The work of Aurora University is guided by broad strategic directions that flow from a variety of sources, including our mission, core values, and vision statements; external and internal scanning information; a focus on inclusivity; and student learning outcomes assessment findings. Attached to each strategic direction are the specific goals that the university will accomplish during the planning period. AU leaders favor a planning process that emphasizes operating flexibility and financial elasticity. Careful consideration is given also to ensuring that appropriate external requirements, expectations, and regulations are met.
- To define the university’s relationship to its environment.
- To align internal strengths with external opportunities.
- To explore decisions regarding the deployment and expansion of resources.
- To foster a climate of continuous improvement.
- To draw intentionally upon student learning outcome data to improve the quality of the educational experience.
- To provide direction for—and constraints upon—future activities.
- To engage the members of the AU community in dialogue about the strategic options available to the university.
- To promote collaboration, transparency, and accountability and respect administrative and academic governance processes.
Please note, this information is subject to change and modification throughout the strategic planning process.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January—February 2024 | Phase One: Discovery |
| March 2024 | Community Update Phase Two: Differentiating our Value Proposition |
| April 2024 | Community Update Phase Three: Synthesis and Goal Setting |
| May 2024 | Community Update Phase Four: Writing the Plan |
| June 2024 | Phase Five: Draft Completion and Reflection |
| June—July 2024 | Review Period for the President's Cabinet and Board of Trustees |
| August 2024 | Plan Published (Pending Board Approval) |
Please note, this information is subject to change and modification throughout the strategic planning process.
Jen Buckley, Co-Chair, Senior Vice President for Student Success
Andrew Prall, Co-Chair, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Candy Byars, Senior Director for Finance
Daniel Coles, Assistant Professor of Education
Matthew Dabros, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chris de Kok, Director of Career Services
Meghan Jarpe, Assistant Professor of Graduate Social Work
Brian Kipley, Director of Athletic Communications
Emily Morales, Dean of Graduate Enrollment and Business Development
Joel Ortega, Associate Dean for Athletic Recruiting
Gina Rahn, Associate Professor of Mathematics/Chair of Mathematics
Pegeen Reichert Powell, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Business
Clint Rhodes, Assistant Vice President for Operations
Katie Tharp, Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support
Lisa Vivoda, Assistant Vice President for Development
Connie Zak, Dean of the School of Nursing/Professor of Nursing
Additional information for the campus community can be found on SpartanNet. Password is required.