Missouri State University is beginning work on a new 2025-30 Strategic Plan.

The planning process will gather input from employees and students, as well as external stakeholders, from alumni to donors to local businesses and legislators.

“This new plan will define Missouri State’s priorities, goals and objectives, and move the university forward,” said President Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams. “In order to do that, this must be ‘our’ plan, and the process must include all university stakeholders.”

Strategic plan committee will take the lead

A strategic plan committee comprising faculty, staff, students, alumni and community voices will lead the process. Dr. Ken Brown, chief academic strategy officer, and Zora Mulligan, executive vice president, will co-chair the committee.

The process includes four phases and will kick off Sept. 30 with phase 1 (September- October). It involves a lot of listening through small group discussions and an interactive workshop.

Through these sessions, committee members will collect input, review data and identify key themes for the plan. They will also review the university’s vision, mission and values statements.

“We encourage as much valuable feedback as possible from our stakeholders on and off campus,” Williams said. “The information we receive will shape the goals we focus on for the rest of the process and we’ll continue to welcome input.”

Once phase 1 concludes, the remaining three phases are:

• Phase 2 (October 2024-March 2025) – Working groups will identify goals, desired outcomes and strategies; includes two interactive workshops.
• Phase 3 (March-May 2025) – The committee will review and finalize the working groups’ recommendations and present the plan to the president and Board of Governors; includes one interactive workshop.
• Phase 4 (May-July 2025) – New plan takes effect July 1 and planning for implementation begins after the spring semester ends.

Engage with the process

To participate in upcoming kick-off events, complete this interest form. Your contributions will ensure Missouri State’s new strategic plan is the best it can be.

You can find out more about the planning process, including event dates and how to offer feedback on the 2025-30 Strategic Plan website.