CSUMB’s latest Strategic Plan nears completion

By Mark Muckenfuss

After nearly a year’s worth of work, a three-year Strategic Plan for Cal State Monterey Bay is almost complete. 

Kinesiology Professor Maria Bellumori and Dale Grubb, associate provost for Academic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, have overseen the writing of the plan. They, and their steering committee, expect to submit it for administrative review later this month. 

Grubb said the development period for the plan was “remarkably fast” compared with traditional timelines for strategic plans. 

“Despite the fast pace, I'm excited by what we, as a campus, produced,” Grubb said. “What makes me especially proud is that this is a campus plan. Its structure and content were generated by all stakeholders -- faculty, staff, students, and administrators -- within the Cal State Monterey Bay community, and also includes regional input from our University Corporation Board members.”

Bellumori said the resulting document was not meant to be as comprehensive as some strategic plans that cover longer periods of time. She said the directive from President Vanya Quiñones was clear.

“She said, ‘I want something actionable and measurable,’” Bellumori said. “This plan depicts what needs to happen now and in three years. Where do we want to be?”

As part of that and, perhaps somewhat different from earlier plans, specific goals have been set. For instance, the plan calls for such things as increasing both retention and graduation rates annually and reducing equity gaps each year. 

Other progress measurements include such things as an annual improvement in career outcomes, increasing academic-related program offerings and engagement with activities.

Bellumori said the final percentage figures for these metrics have not yet been decided. 

The implementation team for the plan will be working with administrators to determine what those numbers will be and what strategies will be implemented to achieve them. She said she expects the areas identified for improvement will remain in place. 

Beyond such specifically actionable items, the plan sets priorities for meeting other goals such as “promoting institutional excellence and distinctiveness,” “cultivating an inclusive and engaged community” and “managing our resources responsibly.”

Grubb said the goals, strategies and metrics will be established and evaluated annually to make sure that the university is investing its resources effectively.  

“This means that our strategic plan will be a dynamic document, guiding our collective efforts over time,” he said. 

The committee solicited input and engaged with faculty, staff and students throughout the year. Bellumori said the suggestions from each group were remarkably in line with one another. As a result, she said, things went smoothly.

“It was surprisingly uncomplicated for never having done this before,” she said. “The vast majority of people were pretty much on the same page in terms of where we want the campus to be in 3 years. Nothing was surprising. It made our job really easy as the steering committee.”

She’s hoping the plan will effect change. 

“I took this role because I saw it as an opportunity to help move the university forward maybe make it a little bit better for everyone,” Bellumori said. “It's been a pretty cool process to be part of.” 

This strategic plan is designed as a flexible three-year framework, with the possibility of being extended for up to two additional years if progress toward its goals justifies additional time to achieve them. 

The idea has been to make the process transparent and to allow the entire campus community to contribute. Regular updates and engagement opportunities are planned to ensure that stakeholders remain well-informed and actively involved throughout the process. Should the plan be extended, plans are in place to continue fostering a collaborative approach with the idea of achieving shared objectives.