Mercy 20/20 Initiative Launched at Assembly

On August 12, we launched the 20/20 initiative at the Mercy College Assembly.  Faculty, Staff, and Administrators arrived to a max-mix room with tables with people sitting together from different areas and positions in our college.  The intention was to see the world from different perspectives and create a more whole conversation.

President Hayward and Janell Lang discussed the trends and future of strategic planning in higher education.  A handout was shared comparing the standards used by the top accrediting organizations (click here to download the table).

We jumped right into sharing who we are, what we do, and why we choose to stay at Mercy  College.  We discussed what we were proud of and what we found particularly frustrating with strategic planning.  We explored what needed to happen in this strategic planning initiative to make it a worthwhile use of our time.

We then examined what collaboration looks like on a large-scale by viewing the Mead Schools Initiative and their strategic planning with over 1,200 faculty, students, staff, administrators, parents, board members, community leaders, and more.  After viewing this case study, we discussed what we  heard/saw - our reactions - and our questions of understanding.

From here, we turned our attention to the Mercy College 20/20 Initiative.  Considering all the conversations to this point - what do we see as the purpose and outcomes for the initiative.  Think of this like learning objectives or outcomes for a course.  We discussed how it is important for a class design to be guided by outcomes.  The initiative is the same - and the same goes for any meeting.  Have a clear purpose, outcomes, and agenda/activities.

A draft of the Mercy 20/20 purpose and outcomes was presented.  This initial draft was prepared by the Executive Staff and Leadership Council.  It was shared with participants at the 20 tables in the room.  The tables discussed what needed to be added, deleted, and modified.  Each table compiled a list and are posting it to the on-line workspace.  The tables provided input on:

• Mercy 20/20 Purpose & Outcomes
• Who needs to be involved?

The input and ideas from the tables are going to a max-mix Strategic Planning Committee (representatives from faculty, staff, administration, students, board, community and more).  Nominations for membership on the committee are being submitted to President Hayward by September 2.
The committee will be formed by Sept 24.  They will begin the process by designing the collaborative RoadMap to ensure that all constituents are involved throughout the next two years.  The aim is to utilize everyone's time efficiently, while ensuring the process is transparent and inclusive. The next Mercy 20/20 update will be presented at the College Assembly on September 13.  Here is a summary of next steps:

1. Sept 02 - Nominations for Strategic Planning Committee to Pres. Hayward.
2. Sept 13 - College Assembly with Update on Mercy 20/20.
3. Sept 24 - Assembly Table Notes and Feedback posted to online Workspace.
4. Oct 1 - Strategic Planning Committee formed - first meeting TBA.

Below is a video of various moments during the Assembly.  Some are funny, some are informative, all the moments show that we are off to a great collaborative start.