Strategic Planning at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College

Grounded in our mission and values, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™ current (2025–27) strategic planning process is an opportunity for our community to shape the college’s future together. With curiosity, care, and ambition, we are charting a course that will honor our history while preparing ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing world.

This site will serve as a central hub for updates  and community engagement as the planning process unfolds. Here you will find:

  • Messages and Updates: Communications from the president and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.
  • Planning Process: Details about our approach, timeline, and opportunities for input.
  • Areas of Focus: Insights and ideas taking shape.
  • The Plan Itself: When ready, the final strategic plan will be published here in full.

Stay connected. Stay engaged. Help shape what comes next.

Messages and Updates

  • Strategic Planning Update
    by Garry W. Jenkins
    Dear members of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ community, As we announced in November 2024, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has begun an intensive and broadly collaborative…
  • Strategic Planning Update
    by Garry W. Jenkins
    Dear Members of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Community, I am pleased to announce the membership of a steering committee for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™ next major strategic planning effort, which I announced in the fall community letter. The committee’s composition is listed below. I will chair the steering committee, which will begin its work this month.
  • Community Letter Fall 2024
    by Garry W. Jenkins
    Dear Members of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Community, Now that the fall semester is well underway, I thought I would share some thoughts on plans and priorities for our work together this year. As I wrote in August, 2023–24 was an extraordinary year for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, full of moments of both celebration and challenge, community-building and collaboration. We have started the 2024–25 academic year on strong footing: with the wonderful new Class of 2028, some incredible Maine weather, and outstanding efforts in our classrooms and at our athletic facilities.

Timeline

Jan-May 2025

Phase I

  • Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) underway
  • Market positioning study underway
  • Strategic framework and areas of focus identified
  • Feedback period
  • Working Committees formed

AY 2025-2026

Phase II

  • Working Committees conduct work and submit final reports to SPSC
  • Market positioning study concludes
  • SPSC refines, integrates, and prioritizes; drafting of strategic plan underway
  • Feedback period

Fall 2026

Phase III

  • Feedback period
  • SPSC finalizes draft of Strategic Plan
  • Board approves final Strategic Plan (winter)
Questions or feedback? Contact us at strategicplanning@bates.edu