Effective strategic planning is the linchpin for the successful management of educational institutions in our rapidly changing world. The Stevens Strategy 5-phased strategic planning process has been proven successful at scores of colleges, universities and schools, large or small, public or independent. Our process encourages the president and board to lead their institution in developing its vision and strategy and affords the whole campus community— faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others—the opportunity to take ownership of the plan through extensive involvement in its development. The consistent achievement of both of these objectives (executive leadership and broad ownership) while producing a sound and compelling strategic plan is a feat that distinguishes the StevensStrategyprocess.
The five comprehensive strategic planning phases are:
- Process Design and Stakeholder Conference
- Responses to Strategic Issues
- Strategic Agenda Development
- Operational Planning
- Implementation
Testimonials From Previous Strategic Planning Partners
Albright College
Strategic Planning Process
Prior to the formation of Stevens Strategy, John Stevens, as a senior member of another firm, provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process, which was combined to serve also as the college’ s self-study, resulting in full re-accreditation and a revitalized academic and financial future for Albright College.
Our Client’s View
Dr. Jeffrey Barker, Converse College Provost and former Albright College Strategic Planning Coordinator
“Dr. Stevens was invaluable in guiding the first organized strategic planning process at Albright College. His clear vision, direct approach, and proven models helped produce a strategic agenda that gave Albright both immediate momentum and the structures necessary for continued success in strategic planning. He helped us become better planners, giving us many of the tools we needed to do the job that needed to be done. The results went well beyond survival–Albright thrived as a result of solid planning.”
Barry University
Strategic Planning Process
Stevens Strategy provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process resulting in a new strategic agenda, entitled Engaging the World through Transformative Catholic Higher Education, and operational plan for Barry University.
Our Client’s View
Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Strategic Planning Coordinator, Barry University
“Stevens Strategy involved the entire community in this endeavor. John and Brendan had the abilities to recognize where the working groups were at and move them along; to perceive what was strategic and what was not; to stay focused and to turn documents around quickly. The ease with which they work with all different kinds of people and their availability are among their strengths. I would not hesitate for a minute to hire Stevens Strategy again. I know that they did a marvelous job for Barry University. They were professional, adaptable, and flexible but most of all they delivered the product. I would recommend them to anyone! I so enjoyed working with both of you! In fact, I even miss you! Thank you for all you did for Barry to position it to move more strategically into the future. You helped to create that future through your knowledge and facilitation. For that and for you, I will always be grateful.”
Buros Center for Testing at University of Nebraska
Strategic Planning Process
Stevens Strategy provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process resulting in a new vision, strategy and operational plan for Buros Center for Testing at University of Nebraska. This was the second strategic planning process we facilitated for them.
The Client’s View
Dr. Kurt Geisinger, Director, Buros Center for Testing at University of Nebraska
“We had a more difficult time because our internal directions were not as clear as they were the last time. Nevertheless, we came up with a number of ways to advance our organization. John Stevens’ experience and leadership helped us make the necessary compromises. We would hire Stevens Strategy again with no question.”
Programs and Resource Optimization (PRO)
Stevens Strategy provided an analytical review of all academic and non-academic revenue generating programs and cost centers at Lasell College that engaged faculty, staff, alumni and trustees in the process. The program review process had four key analytic components: Mission-Centeredness, Quality and Marketability reviews based in part of Stevens Strategy survey research and a Responsibility Center Data-based Analysis conducted by Stevens Strategy. Through this process, Lasell College was able to determine the optimum mix of its program offerings and improve quality and financial performance. We also provided recommendations on the restructure of the division of academic affairs.
The Client’s View
Michael Alexander, President, Lasell College
“We knew it would be a challenging project and would require strong and sensitive direction from our consultants. The process was planned in a flexible way and implemented on schedule to a conclusion. John brought considerable expertise and experience to the project and was able to answer all questions in a reasonable way. The communication between John and the Chair of the PRO Team appeared to be good but was not as good with some members of senior staff. (One Year Post-Project Verbal Update: The results of the program reallocation and academic organization recommendations were accepted by the board, faculty and staff.)”
The Client’s View
Dr. Dominique Ross (Mathieu), PRO Team Chair, Lasell College
“Thank you for your support and advice throughout the past year. Lasell has a variety of…opinions that were challenging to manage at times. Your positive feedback was helpful as we navigated through our program review!”
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Strategic Planning Process
Stevens Strategy provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process resulting in a new strategic agenda, entitled The Beacon for Mercy Education in America, and operational plan for Gwynedd-Mercy College.
Our Client’s View
Dr. Kathleen Owens, President, Gwynedd-Mercy College
“Gwynedd-Mercy College achieved great success with Stevens Strategy in developing its strategic agenda and operational plan. The firm’s knowledge and expertise enabled the college to engage in an inclusive collaborative process that resulted in tangible products that will carry GMC forward. In the end, I have not only a plan document (and related financial tools), but also a methodology and structure to sustain the planning process.
“I very much appreciated the personal attention I received from John, Brendan and Michael. John Stevens was an outstanding communicator who was well received by all members of our college community. Furthermore, Brendan Leonard was extremely effective in working with a broad range of college constituents. I would not hesitate to recommend Stevens Strategy to my colleagues in the higher education community.”
The Strategic Planning Coordinator’s View: Sister Catherine McMahon, Gwynedd-Mercy College
“I believe the many processes and the attempts to be as inclusive as we could be did help us to engage some of our best minds and hearts. Watching it all come together was exciting…and I believe the Beacon is something we can strive for together which will make us a stronger and better college. The effective facilitation of both processes and tasks was a key to the success of the engagement. There’s no substitute for brains’ and all three partners are bright, articulate, insightful, multi-skilled and possess strong interpersonal skills. I have said this before, but I say it formally now, Brendan is a gem and was a delight to work with. I thoroughly enjoyed the association with each member of your team. I am so grateful for the expertise you brought to us and for sharing it with me. I felt stretched professionally yet fully supported as the process and my role evolved. I truly will miss working with each of you. I look forward to the implementation phase and thank you for bringing us so well to this point.”
Mount Aloysius College
Strategic Planning
Stevens Strategy provided a strategic planning process with particular emphasis on operational planning, including the facilitation of a Board of Trustees retreat.
Our Client’s View
Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, President, Mount Aloysius College
“Our work was primarily with Brendan Leonard. We found him to be competent, helpful, available and open to adjustments to respond to our needs and circumstances. We are aware that he consulted with other members of the Stevens Strategy team…. Stevens Strategy’s over-all experience with higher education institutions was a plus as it saved the necessity of explaining our particular systems, attitudes and understandings. John Stevens’ knowledge of the ‘mega issues,’ as illustrated in his presentation at the Board Retreat, was sound and comprehensive….The facilitation of the culminating Board Retreat was excellent. Trustees were informed and engaged. They very much appreciated their participation.”
Southern California University of Health Sciences.
Multiple Strategic Management Consulting Projects
Stevens Strategy examined several strategic options to leverage and expand the universities mission related health sciences programs as well as alternatives to expand the university’s continuing education division.
Our Client’s View
Dr. John Scaringe, President, Southern California University of Health Sciences.
“We’re always impressed with Bob’s work! Thanks, John!”
University of Saint Francis
Strategic Planning and PRO Processes
Stevens Strategy provided strategic planning and PRO processes resulting in a new mix of academic programs and a new vision, strategy, operational plan for University of Saint Francis.
The Client’s View
Dr. Lance Richey, Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Saint Francis
“Stevens Strategy accomplished a difficult process on time and exceeded our expectations. They utilized a steering team model that involved broad swathes of the campus, clearly communicating in advance the details of the process and what could be expected. John Stevens drove the processes that could easily have been derailed or slowed by recalcitrant participants. We could not have accomplished this without them.”
University of Saint Thomas
Strategic Planning Process
Stevens Strategy provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process resulting in a new dramatic vision, strategy and operational plan for University of St. Thomas.
Our Client’s View
Fr. J. Michael Miller, President, University of Saint Thomas
“We had a few false starts in strategic planning, but we were very fortunate to find John Stevens who brought us his strategic planning system and his facilitation skills to put us on the right track. John worked very well with faculty, was supportive of me as president and helped our board fulfill its strategic role. We have been very pleased with the work Stevens Strategy has done for us.”
The Strategic Planning Coordinator’s View: Dr. Colleen Hester, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research, University of Saint Thomas
“We selected Dr. John Stevens and Stevens Strategy from a sea of consultants, and the outcomes of the alignment of our talents have exceeded my expectations. In particular, areas of strength of Dr. John Stevens consulting work include the integrity which John brings to his work as a SP consultant; the effective inclusion of essential key constituents in the process, and the resulting ownership of the strategic agenda by broad elements of the community…I’d note that the development and growth in maturity of a critical mass of faculty, administrators, students and staff may represent our greatest success. Additionally, we are moving toward a campus culture of greater communication and transparency. Without such communication and transparency, it would be difficult to engender the trust and generativity we need to advance our community. I believe UST’s implementation of Dr. John Stevens’ model was central to this important shift in our culture.”
VaughnCollege of Aeronautics and Technology
Strategic Planning Process
Stevens Strategy provided the design and facilitation of a 5-phased strategic planning process resulting in a new bold vision, strategy, name and operational plan for Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology [formerly College of Aeronautics]. We helped them revise their strategy and develop a detailed business plan a few years later.
Our Client’s View
Dr. Sharon DeVivo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement (now President) at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
“It has been my pleasure to work with Stevens Strategy. Not only has it been beneficial to my College, but I also learn something new with each project that we engage the firm. As an administrator, sometimes you have a tendency to think you have all the answers for your institution. Stevens has helped us transform our institution because they asked us to examine our institution differently, look to our external environment, create a vision, develop a plan to implement that vision, and then measure the success of the plan’s implementation (and three years later help us design the next phase of implementation). We are a different institution today because of Stevens. The final business plan far exceeded my expectations in its depth and support for the overall vision, particularly in the area of financial projections (where you really prove if your plan works). By far the most successful aspect of the project was working with Brendan Leonard in producing the final document. He was able to provide an objective “eye” for the project and was particularly helpful in building the financial worksheets. Both [John and Brendan] are engaging, insightful and visionary in their ability to help you take your institution to the next level. This is the second major engagement we have had with Stevens Strategy and we will definitely be working with them again. I will gladly rave about the firm to anyone you like!”