Strategic priorities approved
At a meeting on Aug. 16, the Whitman College Board of Trustees approved strategic priorities that will guide the campus's overarching efforts for the next five to seven years.
There are five strategic priorities:
- Increasing access and affordability
- Enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion
- Innovating the curriculum
- Connecting to life after Whitman
- Celebrating the college's location in southeastern Washington
"These five strategic priorities build on the college's historic strengths, focus on strengthening the best of what Whitman is today and ensure that our approach to student learning continues to be relevant in the future," said President Kathleen Murray. "They reinforce Whitman's commitment to providing a rigorous liberal arts education and a rewarding residential experience through a supportive and collaborative community."
Whitman began looking toward a strategic planning process with the start of Murray's presidency in 2015. A Strategic Planning Committee comprised of faculty, staff, students and governing board members developed them. They were refined with input from additional stakeholders ranging from alumni to parents and others.
The Strategic Planning Committee is co-chaired as a model of shared governance by President Murray, Board of Trustees' Vice-chair Nancy Serrurier and Chair of the Faculty Melissa Clearfield. This fall, the Strategic Planning Committee will establish working groups of students, faculty and staff to begin implementation of the five strategic priorities.
—Staff report