May 13, 2020
Ian Williamson
Las Vegas, N.M. – New Mexico Highlands University is asking for the public’s input on proposed strategic objectives for its strategic plan update.
The survey may be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRGYDSZ
“Please help us with our next university-wide strategic plan by completing our second survey on strategic objectives,” said Ian Williamson, associate vice president for academic affairs and co-chair of Highlands’ strategic plan committee. “We are soliciting feedback and information from anyone with a stake in the future of Highlands as to what you think of our proposed strategic objectives. We value your input.”
Williamson said Highlands will follow up this survey with further discussions with faculty, students, staff, and community groups throughout the summer and early fall.
“We are looking for the broadest participation if you serve the university in any role or you are a community partner interested in the success of Highlands,” Williamson said.
Williamson said Highlands is forging ahead to keep its strategic plan update on track for completion by the end of 2020. The Highlands strategic plan is updated every five years.
“Despite the COVID 19 pandemic, technology makes this strategic plan work possible through reaching out via email and online via Zoom videoconferencing meetings. In just one week, since the survey was released, more than 130 people have participated,” Williamson said.
Williamson said to date, Highlands has identified five draft goals after extensive input from the university and broader community. The new survey is designed to evaluate proposed objectives for each of the goals.
Goal 1: Teach and mentor students to integrate a broad range of academic skills, a breadth and depth of curricular knowledge, and an interdisciplinary understanding.
Goal 2: Inspire students to action through environments that foster scholarship and produce graduates equipped to address regional and global issues.
Goal 3: Engage with and serve our communities for mutually beneficial exchanges of knowledge, services and resources.
Goal 4: Advance excellence in diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices.
Goal 5: Be a comprehensive educational provider for all students including traditional, nontraditional, online, distance, community and lifelong learners.
“Developing the strategic objectives and key performance indicators will make this strategic plan more comprehensive and robust,” Williamson said.
Eric Romero, Highlands professor of languages and culture, co-chairs the Highlands strategic plan committee.
“The dialogue process among the different constituents ensures equitable representation in the planning process, making it a democratic endeavor,” Romero said. “The potential impact of a strategic plan is dependent upon a shared understanding of the stipulated goals.”
The draft strategic plan will be publicly presented to the Highlands University Board of Regents for consideration and discussion sometime during fall semester 2020.