Strategic Plan Updates

February 14, 2025

Thank you for being such an important part of Stockton's strategic planning journey. Your time, insights, and dedication mean so much, and we truly appreciate the energy you've brought to this process.

With the Fall 2024 phase now behind us, we're excited to share the progress we've made together. Thanks to the hard work of our planning groups, we’ve identified five key themes that will shape the foundation of Stockton’s future. These themes reflect who we are as a university and where we want to go, guiding our next steps as we refine our priorities and set a course for the years ahead.

As we move into the next phase of strategic planning, we’re thrilled to welcome 160+ new volunteers who have stepped up to join our working groups! Their fresh perspectives and energy will be instrumental in refining these five key themes, which will guide Stockton’s future:

  • People and Campus Culture: "A Community of Care: Cultivating Belonging and Pride"
    Focuses on fostering inclusivity, personal relationships, professional development, and a supportive campus culture rooted in Stockton's ethic of care.
  • Authentic Teacher/Scholar Model: "Inspiring Minds: Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship"
    Highlights the balance between teaching excellence and scholarly pursuits, emphasizing Stockton's unique approach to student-centered education.
  • Stewardship and Sustainability: "Sustaining Tomorrow: Stewardship and Innovation"
    Reflects Stockton's commitment to sustainability, resource management, and serving as a model for responsible growth in the region.
  • Student Success: "Empowering Student Success"
    Focuses on Stockton's dedication to preparing students as self-sustaining, engaged citizens and a premier institution for first-generation learners.
  • Community: "Anchored in Purpose: Serving the Region and Beyond"
    Emphasizes Stockton's role as an Anchor Institution for Atlantic County and the broader region, highlighting its regional impact and community partnerships.

As we transition into the next phase of strategic planning, these themes will serve as guiding pillars for refining Stockton's vision, priorities and goals. Your continued participation will be instrumental as we further develop and implement the plan.

Defining Stockton's Edge: What Sets Us Apart?

Stockton is more than just a university—it’s a community, a launchpad for innovation, and a place where students, faculty, and staff thrive. But what truly sets us apart? And how do we continue to stand out in the years ahead? As we shape our next strategic plan, we want to hear from you! What qualities make Stockton special today, and what bold steps should we take to define our future? Your voice matters, and together, we’ll ensure Stockton’s story is one of growth, impact, and opportunity.

Help define Stockton's edge!

Working Group Updates

Review of the Current Strategic Plan

  • Charge: Assess the progress of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and recommend strategic priorities to stop, enhance, or reduce. 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Norma Boakes and Adriane Sicknick 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Sequetta Sweet 
  • Update: The working group has successfully completed its charge, conducting a thorough analysis of Stockton’s existing strategic plan. The team, consisting of 30 members representing faculty, staff, students, and a Board of Trustees member, developed an executive summary detailing key findings across six areas of focus. These findings were formally presented to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee on January 15, 2025, where discussions on next steps began.

Mission, Vision and Values (MVV) Refresh

  • Charge: Review and recommend updates to Stockton’s mission, vision, and values statements. 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Mike Law and Tara Williams 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Lee Bryant 
  • Update: Throughout the Fall 2024 semester, this working group engaged the Stockton community through three virtual town halls, one in-person session, and a comprehensive campus-wide survey. The findings were presented to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee on January 28, 2025. The committee is now reviewing the recommendations to ensure our guiding principles align with Stockton’s future direction.

AASCU Framework Integration

  • Charge: Align Stockton’s Strategic Plan with best practices outlined in the Postsecondary Value Commission Action Agenda (PVCAA). 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Naz Onel and Dr. Haley Baum 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Amanda Norvell 
  • Update: The working group has been actively evaluating Stockton’s emerging strategic themes against the AASCU Framework. Members have been divided into five teams, each focusing on a key dimension of postsecondary value. Following a January 30 meeting, the group has moved into the next phase: ensuring Stockton’s emerging strategic priorities align with national best practices. To strengthen this integration, team members are joining key theme working groups to provide ongoing input.

Communications

  • Charge: Develop and implement communication strategies to engage the Stockton community in the planning process. 
  • Co-Chairs: Geoffrey Pettifer and Emari DiGiorgio 
  • SPSC Liaison: Monica Viani 
  • Update: The working group is advancing several initiatives to increase awareness and participation:
    • Video Initiative: A student-voiced, graphics-based video is in development to explain the strategic planning process. A scriptwriting session is scheduled to ensure clear messaging.
    • FAQs & Website Updates: The Strategic Planning website has been enhanced, with a refined FAQ section to better address community questions.
    • Community Engagement: Successfully hosted an information table at the Get Involved Fair, promoting volunteer opportunities for the next phase of planning. A new initiative will feature student and faculty perspectives on what differentiates Stockton from other universities. 

Momentum is growing as we shape the next chapter of our Strategic Plan. The process is well underway, marked by dynamic discussions, surveys, and events that bring voices from across our community into the fold. This journey is about more than planning; it’s about fostering connections and laying the groundwork for bold, strategic actions.

We're thrilled to report that more than 1,000 instances of participation have been recorded across our Strategic Planning activities, including meetings, surveys, and events. This impressive level of engagement highlights the strong collective interest in shaping Stockton's future. While this number represents total participation rather than unique individuals, it underscores the enthusiasm and dedication of our community in contributing their voices to this important process.

As we move from gathering input to drafting the plan, we remain committed to aligning our vision with Stockton’s mission, values, and aspirations. Your continued involvement will be essential as we progress.

Working Group Highlights:

Mission, Vision, Values

  • Charge: Review the current mission, vision, and values statements and recommend revisions as needed.
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Mike Law and Tara Williams
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Lee Bryant
  • Update: Hosted four community discussions, engaging 300+ participants through virtual and in-person town halls and a Faculty Senate session. Feedback is being analyzed, with recommendations to the Strategic Planning Committee expected by January 2025.

Review of the Current Strategic Plan

  • Charge: Review the progress of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and recommend which strategic priorities to stop, enhance, or reduce.
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Norma Boakes and Adriane Sicknick
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Sequetta Sweet
  • Update: Organized six subgroups reviewing data from FY 2021–2023. Findings will inform strategic priorities, with an executive summary expected by the end of the Fall semester. 

Communications

  • Charge: Develop, review, approve, and disseminate all communication materials related to the planning process.
  • Co-Chairs: Geoffrey Pettifer and Emari DiGiorgio
  • SPSC Liaison: Monica Viani
  • Update: Launched the SWOT survey and identified opportunities to promote participation through events, outreach, and creative strategies like prizes. Teams are enhancing the Strategic Planning website for both information-sharing and engagement. 

American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) Framework

  • Charge: Collaborate with AASCU facilitators to align strategic priorities with best practices identified through the Postsecondary Value Commission Action Agenda (PVCAA).
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Naz Onel and Dr. Haley Baum
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Amanda Norvell
  • Update: Outlined responsibilities, reviewed facilitators’ workshops, and aligned planning efforts with PVCAA principles. Leaders from other working groups met to share updates and ensure alignment, with next steps including framework distribution and follow-ups.

Dr. Ashlee Roberts will be serving as the Steering Committee Co-Chair, contributing her valuable insights and leadership to guide our planning process.

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) is leading this effort to align Stockton’s academic, administrative, and operational units and secure our future as a premier regional university. Our charge includes initiating and overseeing a process that aligns with our mission, vision, and values, while working closely with the President to ensure the plan reflects our institutional aspirations and future needs.

A key part of this process is inclusivity. We will engage with stakeholders across campus to gather diverse perspectives that will shape our university’s priorities and strategic direction. Additionally, we are committed to ongoing communication, sharing progress, and celebrating milestones as we work toward our final plan in September 2025. 

Working Groups Update: 

Mission, Vision, Values 

  • Charge: Review the current mission, vision and values statements and recommend revisions as needed. 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Mike Law and Tara Williams 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Lee Bryant 
  • This group held its first meeting on Sept. 18, emphasizing that their work is to review, not rewrite, the mission and vision. They will soon be reaching out to the campus for feedback. 

Review of the Current Strategic Plan 

  • Charge: Review the progress of the 2020-25 Strategic Plan and recommend which strategic priorities to stop, enhance or reduce. 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Norma Boakes and Adriane Sicknick 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Sequetta Sweet 
  • The group has been meeting since early September, organizing into smaller teams to review the plan's different themes. They conducted their first full meeting on Sept. 24 and set a three-week deadline for subgroup progress. The next full meeting is scheduled for early October. 

Communications 

  • Charge: Develop, review, approve and disseminate all communication materials related to the planning process. 
  • Co-Chairs: Geoffrey Pettifer and Emari DiGiorgio 
  • SPSC Liaison: Monica Viani 
  • The Communications group held its first meeting on Oct. 2 to brainstorm ways to engage the Stockton community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. Work is also underway on the strategic plan’s website, which will include updates and engagement features. 

American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Framework 

  • Charge: Collaborate with AASCU facilitators to align strategic priorities with best practices identified through the Postsecondary Value Commission Action Agenda (PVCAA). 
  • Co-Chairs: Dr. Naz Onel and Dr. Haley Baum 
  • SPSC Liaison: Dr. Amanda Norvell 
  • The subgroup met with AASCU consultants on Sept. 13 and held a comprehensive workshop on Sept. 26-27. During the workshop, they discussed aligning Stockton’s strategic plan with PVCAA best practices and developed potential strategic goals. They will soon distribute an organizational readiness survey campuswide. 

How You Can Get Involved:

  • Participate in upcoming forums, small group meetings, or provide input through our surveys. 
  • Engage with e-tools and interactive panels that will soon be available. 
  • Share your ideas directly with working group members or submit suggestions to StrategicPlan@stockon.edu.