Office of Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness

Strategic Planning Process and Timeline

Western Illinois University is developing its next strategic plan for 2027–2032. The University Strategy Council is leading a collaborative process designed to look at the University as an interconnected system. The process recognizes that student success, enrollment, academic programs, people and culture, resources, operations, partnerships, and institutional effectiveness do not function in isolation. Meaningful strategic planning requires understanding how these parts of the University affect one another and work together.

The planning process has progressed from initial research and working-group discussions to the development of a draft strategic plan and accompanying implementation framework. Both documents are now available for University community review and feedback before the strategic plan is finalized and considered for approval.

Draft Strategic Plan and Implementation Framework

The University Strategy Council has developed a draft of Western Evolves: Strategic Plan 2027–2032 and an accompanying proposed Implementation Framework. Both documents are being shared for University community review and feedback.

The Strategic Plan establishes the University's proposed strategic directions, goals, objectives, and institutional commitments. Unlike previous strategic plans, specific initiatives (action items) will be developed collaboratively with units across the University during implementation rather than prescribed in advance. This approach is intended to allow flexibility as circumstances change while maintaining accountability for progress.

The accompanying proposed Implementation Framework explains how initiatives will be identified, developed, tracked, and assessed. It is provided to help the University community understand the proposed implementation process.

Both documents require a WIU ECom username and password to access.

The Strategic Plan will be revised based on feedback before being presented for constituency endorsement and Board of Trustees consideration. The Implementation Framework is being shared for review and feedback but is not proposed for separate formal endorsement or approval.

Opportunities for Feedback

The University Strategy Council invites members of the WIU community to review the draft of WESTERN EVOLVES: Strategic Plan 2027–2032 and the proposed Implementation Framework. Several opportunities are available to ask questions, discuss the draft, and provide feedback.

In-Person Open Sessions — Sandburg Lounge

  • Wednesday, October 28, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 29, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 30, noon–1:00 p.m.

In-Person Open Session – Riverfront Hall 103/104

  • Wednesday, October 28, noon—1:00p.m.

Virtual Open Session — Zoom

Online Feedback Survey

Members of the WIU community may also provide feedback through the WESTERN EVOLVES: Draft Strategic Plan Feedback Survey . A WIU email account login is required to access the survey. Survey closes November 2, 2026.

Feedback will help inform revisions to the draft before it is presented for constituency endorsement in November and Board of Trustees consideration in December.

Foundation and Context (February–April 2026)

The University Strategy Council was formed in spring 2026, bringing together perspectives from different functions and areas of the University. The Council reviewed institutional data, existing plans and initiatives, recurring issues and opportunities, and initial feedback from Council members to identify areas that needed deeper attention.

Working Groups (May–August 2026)

Four working groups brought together additional perspectives from across the University to look more closely at key areas:

  • Enrollment, Identity & Outreach
  • Student Success, Progression & Completion
  • Workforce, Culture & Organizational Capacity
  • Financial Sustainability & Institutional Resources

The groups reviewed relevant information and ongoing work, discussed what was working and what was not, identified barriers and opportunities, and developed recommendations for the University Strategy Council to consider.

Synthesis (August–September 2026)

The Council then looked across all four working-group reports to identify common themes and areas of overlap and to consider how the different issues and recommendations connected to one another. Rather than treating enrollment, student success, people, finances, and other areas as separate parts of the plan, the Council began developing a structure that reflects how these parts of the University work together and affect one another.

That work has led to an emerging framework with two strategic directions focused on what Western seeks to accomplish and five institutional commitment areas focused on the capacity we need to build and sustain to accomplish it. The framework will continue to develop as the Council gathers broader feedback this fall.

Campus Engagement and Draft Development (September–October 2026)

Building on the work of the Council and its working groups, the University Strategy Council developed a draft strategic plan and accompanying implementation framework for University community review.

The drafts are being shared with faculty, staff, and students through a campus survey and open feedback sessions. These opportunities will help identify what may be missing, what needs additional attention, and what should be revised before the plan moves forward for constituency endorsement and Board consideration.

Feedback on WIU's mission and vision is also being considered as part of this phase.

Revision, Approval, and Implementation Planning (November–December 2026)

The University Strategy Council will review feedback from the campus survey, open sessions, and other constituent discussions to identify needed revisions to the Strategic Plan. The revised plan will be presented for constituency endorsement and Board of Trustees consideration.

Implementation will build on work already underway across the University. Specific initiatives (action items) will be identified and developed collaboratively with divisions and units, following established University decision-making, governance, budgeting, and approval processes.

An Implementation Tracker will be developed and maintained to document initiatives, responsibilities, timelines, measures, and progress. The Tracker will be updated throughout the life of the Strategic Plan, allowing the University to respond to changing circumstances while maintaining accountability for results.