Inside “Excellence by Design”: Building the vision

What does excellence look like at Illinois State University, and how are we building it together as a campus community?

Through stories, conversations, and examples, this weekly series takes you inside Illinois State University's strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2030 (EBD), for a closer look at how the University is building an even stronger future for students and the communities we serve.

Planning and implementation

Illinois State University has a culture of integrated planning and aligns its priorities with the strategic plan. Development of EBD began in 2022, with a task force of students, faculty, and staff who sought community input. Community stakeholders provided input, and a revised version was approved by the president's cabinet and endorsed by Illinois State's shared governance. EBD's final version was approved by the Illinois State Board of Trustees on May 10, 2024.

Implementation of the strategic plan is currently underway. The Strategic Planning Steering Team is comprised of members of the campus community and serves as leadership over this process.

The Steering Team has charged EBD Champions to carry forward the work of the Action Planning Teams and lead the advancement of the goals and metrics outlined in Four Strategic Directions:

• Team 1: Cultivate a Culture of Success & Belonging
• Team 2: Foster a Culture of Responsible Stewardship
• Team 3: Elevate Our Institutional Excellence
• Team 4: Expand Mutually Beneficial Partnerships

The University has identified a set of metrics that measure progress in achieving the goals and objectives in the strategic plan, with a target to achieve by 2030.

You can track the current progress on the Strategic Directions by visiting the Metrics Dashboard.

Behind every strategic direction is a story worth sharing. In the upcoming editions of this series, we will spotlight the people and initiatives driving this work forward.

LOVE Award

The Living Our Values in Excellence (LOVE) Award recognizes the efforts of individuals or groups whose work exemplifies the core values outlined in the strategic plan.

The award celebrates the commitment of those who live our values every day and strengthen the campus community by sharing those values.

Read more about the LOVE Award recipients:

• Kristen Bernas honored as first LOVE Award recipient for exemplary Collaboration
• Dr. Alicia Wodika recognized for exemplary Community and Civic Engagement with the LOVE Award
• Meghan Lugo honored with LOVE Award for exemplifying Individualized Attention
• Dillon Maher recognized for outstanding commitment to Collaboration
• Stephanie Lipe honored for advancing Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging
• Paisley Hartman honored with LOVE Award for exemplifying Respect
• Dr. Angell Howard honored with LOVE Award for exemplifying Individualized Attention

Nominate a current Illinois State University student, faculty, or staff member working on a program or initiative that reflects our values.

For more information on the University's strategic plan, visit Excellence by Design: 2024-2030.