Western Rising Strategic Planning Survey Results: Key Findings and Insights

Western Rising Strategic Planning Survey Results and Takeaways From Open Forums Prepared by Institutional Effectiveness & Strategic Planning January 2024

Context Creating a new strategic plan through engagement with the WCSU community To engage the university college and obtain their input as part of the process A Mission/Vision/Values survey was distributed via Select Survey to the campus community. Overall, seven hundred and sixty-six persons (766) attempted the survey questions with a completion rate per survey question ranging between 19% and 31%. Survey completers break down as follows Students (32%); Full-time faculty (25%); Adjunct faculty (7%);Administrators (8%); Full-time staff (21%); Part-time staff (4%); andAlumni (3%) In addition to the survey, three round tables and a panel discussion were held to collect feedback from the university community. These round tables were moderated by faculty members. The round tables and panel discussions were attended by members of the university community. The data collected from the survey, round tables, and panel discussion were analyzed by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning. This short report provides the campus community with the overall findings.

Key Points To Note The university community s opinion is mixed on whether our mission describes who we are, what we do, and who we serve. A slight majority recommends that the university revises both its mission and mission statements. There are significant gaps between how institutional stakeholders view the university s values as describing who we are versus how we work. The values are viewed more as describing who we are than how we work. The following qualities make Western Connecticut State University distinct from other institutions location, caring character of faculty and staff; quality and mix of academic program offerings, and the student population it serves. The following were highlighted as important values to guide the institution: transparency, trust, compassion, and inclusivity. The following five core areas emerged as important for the strategic plan s focus and priorities a) the mission, vision, values; b) the students we serve; c) the institutional culture; d) the future of the college including its financial challenges; and e) our local community.

Overall Summary- Mission & Vision Statement % who agree/strongly agree Our Mission describes clearly who we are 54% Our Mission describes clearly what we do 54% Our Mission describes clearly who we serve 48% Revise the current mission 52% Redefine the current mission 48% Vision describes clearly who we want to be 45% Revise the current vision 56% Redefine the current vision 44%

Overall Summary University Values % who strongly agree/agree that Values Value Describes Who We Are Value Describes How We Work Excellence 54% 42% Curiosity 58% 41% Dialogue 47% 34% Engagement 51% 38% Opportunity 65% 49% Respect 62% 49%

The Five Core Areas To Guide The Next Phase The The Institutional Culture Students We Serve Our Mission, Vision, and Values The Future Of The College Our Local Community

For questions, please contact John Osae-Kwapong AVP, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning