Tatum introduces ‘Excellence: The Northwest Way’ to launch strategic planning process

Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum addressed faculty, staff, students and community members on Thursday at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts to mark the kickoff of the University's next strategic planning process. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University President Dr. Lance Tatum on Thursday reiterated institutional goals and framed a pathway for the University as it embarks on its next strategic plan.

"It's the beginning of what I consider to be a very important chapter in the life of Northwest Missouri State University," Tatum, who is in his third year as Northwest's president, told a gathering of University faculty, staff, students and community members at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

The next strategic plan, Tatum said, will build on "Adventure 2030," a plan established under the leadership of former Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski. Once approved by the Board of Regents and implemented next summer, the new strategic plan - titled "Excellence: The Northwest Way" - will guide decision-making through 2030.

"Adventure 2030" has served Northwest well, Tatum said, but now is the time to begin setting up Northwest for future successes.

"In the past few years, Northwest has navigated challenges that a lot of our peers, as well as us, never imagined that we would have to navigate - significant shifts in enrollment, changes in state funding and the evolving expectation of higher ed by the American people," Tatum said. "Yet through it all, we have stayed true to who we are. We have celebrated national championships in our athletic programs, record-breaking philanthropic activity in our development area and innovative academic programs across the University."

Tatum cited a national championship for the Bearcat Steppers last spring, the expansion of Martindale Hall, the addition of a creamery in the Agricultural Learning Center and the Northwest's ongoing infrastructure modernization project as examples of the University's commitment to sustained excellence and student success.

In building its next strategic plan, Northwest will center on four institutional goals Tatum has touted since beginning his presidency - enrollment growth and sustainability, enhancing the collegiate experience, investing in the University's people, and operations.

"Enhancing the holistic student experience inside and outside the classroom is critically important in keeping our students engaged while they're at Northwest," Tatum said. "Our students don't just earn degrees here. They learn how to lead and how to be productive citizens within the communities they will go back to. They compete on the field, they perform on the stage, they serve the community and then they grow as global citizens."

The strategic planning process

A Northwest Insights Advisory Group - comprising members of the University's Board of Regents, faculty, staff, students, alumni and Maryville residents - has formed to connect with stakeholders, listen to ideas and collect feedback, Tatum explained, "ensuring that every voice at the University, at every level, has at least a path into the conversation."

The advisory group is charged with gathering perspectives, identifying challenges and opportunities and sharing information with the Northwest Leadership Team.

In coming months, Northwest expects to host listening sessions and distribute surveys to begin its assessment and foster conversation about the future of the institution. In the spring, the University intends to reaffirm its mission and vision, confirm strategic themes and define metrics to attain the strategic plan's goals. After sharing a draft of the plan with the campus community and gathering additional feedback, Northwest leaders will present the plan to the Board of Regents for adoption.

More details about the strategic planning process and timeline will be accessible on a Northwest webpage.

"The process is more than just setting goals," Tatum said. "It really is about shaping the future of Northwest together. Every voice is going to be important in this process. Every idea matters, because 'Excellence: The Northwest Way' isn't just a title. It is hopefully going to be a reflection of how we work every day, how we serve our students and our community, and how we will live out the mission of this institution."