Strategic Enrollment Planning 2022
A natural extension of the University Design Team (UDT) work in 2020, the University of Montana initiated a dynamic, continuous, and University-wide strategic enrollment planning (SEP) process in July 2021. The purpose of SEP is to bring together a diverse set of perspectives to identify strategies, to develop and sharpen those strategies, to secure investment to support the strategies, and to ensure their effective implementation. Part of UM’s strategic operating rhythm, SEP supports and aligns with academic planning, the University’s Priorities for Action (PFAs), and other strategic planning activities.
UM designed a four-phase SEP process. In Phase 1–data collection and analysis–UM’s executive leadership team and the SEP steering committee identified a set of planning assumptions and the SEP key performance indicators (KPIs). Seven working groups made up of more than 50 faculty and staff from across the institution developed situation analyses in specific areas of focus.
In Phase 2–strategy ideation and action plan development–the working groups and the steering committee considered the current state analyses from Phase 1 and the desired future state as reflected in the KPIs to identify potential SEP strategies. Action planning teams developed those strategies and then worked with the steering committee to sharpen them. The steering committee considered the revised strategy action plans and made prioritized recommendations to the President and Provost for investment.
In Phase 3–strategy selection and goal development–resident Bodnar, Provost Humphrey, and incoming Provost Mahdavi selected the SEP strategies in which to invest. At that point, SEP transitioned to Phase 4–implementation and continuation. We remain in this phase of the process.