Catalyst Committee to Lead Strategic Planning Efforts

Dear Colleagues,

In November 2011, the University’s Strategic Plan, Northwestern Will, was presented to large groups of faculty, staff and students at open forums on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses. We are now moving forward on the priorities outlined in the plan.

Northwestern Will calls for “multi-dimensional approaches” for addressing the University’s priorities, and the process of implementing the plan reflects this. Deans and vice presidents are engaging faculty, staff and students in developing their school and unit-based plans to link closely with Northwestern Will, beginning this past winter and spring with the annual institutional budget process.

Planning has begun for University strategic initiatives related to diversity, community building, assessment and programmatic developments in areas such as energy, design and nanoscience. Preliminary planning for Northwestern’s next major development campaign also is under way and will be closely linked with key strategic priorities. Our goals as outlined in Northwestern Will are ambitious, and significant new resources and reallocation of existing resources will be needed.

In some instances, initiatives will need to be catalyzed outside of existing structures. Therefore, we have assembled a Catalyst Workgroup of faculty, deans, and administrators, that will have a central role in facilitating the implementation of strategic priorities across the University. This workgroup will help move forward priority areas of the plan, address strategic issues, identify potential gaps and overlap in implementation efforts, and track progress. The Office of Change Management and the Office of Administration and Planning will facilitate the group, chaired by Sandy Goldberg, professor and chair of philosophy. The workgroup members are as follows:

• Ron Braeutigam, Harvey Kapnick Professor of Economics and Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, Office of the Provost
• John Csernansky, MD, Lizzie Gilman Professor and Chairperson, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine
• David Figlio, Orrington Lunt Professor of Education and Social Policy and of Economics, and Director, Institute for Policy Research
• Sandy Goldberg, Professor and Chairperson, Philosophy, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (Chair)
• Tom Hubbard, John L. and Helen Kellogg Professor of Management and Strategy, Senior Associate Dean for Strategy, Kellogg School of Management
• Jim Hurley, Associate Vice President for Budget Planning
• Sarah Mangelsdorf, Dean, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and Professor, Psychology
• Dwight McBride, Dean, The Graduate School, Associate Provost for Graduate Education, and Daniel Hale Williams Professor of African American Studies
• Marilyn McCoy, Vice President for Administration and Planning
• Bob McQuinn, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development
• Monica Olvera de la Cruz, Lawyer Taylor Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Director, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
• Jean Shedd, Associate Provost for Budget, Facilities, and Analysis, Office of the Provost
• Patricia Telles-Irvin, Vice President for Student Affairs
• David Tolchinsky, Professor and Chairperson, Department of Radio/TV/Film, School of Communication, Director, Creative Writing for the Media Program, and Director, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
• Jay Walsh, Vice President for Research and Professor, Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
• Kimberly Yuracko, Professor, School of Law

A critical element in the implementation of the strategic plan is student, faculty, staff and alumni engagement. All members of the Northwestern community are strongly encouraged to engage in the design and implementation of the various strategic initiatives at both the local and University levels. Those interested in participating in this process should contact the appropriate individuals in their academic or administrative area. Please contact the Office of Change Management with questions or ideas regarding implementation.

Daniel Linzer
Provost