Strategic Planning

students chatting on the walkway outside Claflin

We have begun work on the development of a five-year strategic plan and long-term vision for Wellesley.

Strategic planning will allow us to consider all of our strengths and how they intersect to create a stronger Wellesley. Decisions made by one division within the College either impact or are impacted by other departments, not to mention the larger world. Through more comprehensive planning, we will set an overall vision and coordinate strategies that allow us to make better-informed decisions regarding our future, enabling the allocation of precious resources in ways that will have the greatest impact.

We look to address the following questions:

  • How do we fully realize our mission to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world?
  • How does our organization and governance need to evolve to achieve the “Wellesley of the future” we envision?
  • How do we elevate our role as an educational institution, leader and advocate for women’s education and empowerment for the U.S. and globally?
  • How do we create an experience for students, faculty, and staff that instills a greater sense of belonging and connection and prepares students for a rapidly changing world?

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Steering Committee

  • Paula Johnson
    President of the College
  • Andrew Shennan
    Provost and Dean of the College
  • Carol Bate
    Associate Dean of Students
  • James Battat
    Associate Professor of Physics
  • Mary Casey
    Vice President for Development
  • Ophelia Dahl ’94
    Trustee
  • Don Elmore
    Professor of Chemistry
  • Sheilah Horton
    Vice President and Dean of Students
  • Debora de Hoyos ’75
    Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Michael Jeffries
    Associate Professor of American Studies
  • Kristina Jones
    Director of the Botanic Gardens
  • Erin Konkle
    Program Director Career Development, Community Engagement
  • Debby Kuenstner ’80
    Chief Investment Officer
  • Ellen Marram ’68
    Trustee
  • Tara Murphy
    Chief Communications Officer
  • Megan Núñez
    Dean of Faculty Affairs
  • Piper Orton
    Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer
  • Karen Petrulakis
    General Counsel
  • Jen Pollard
    Director of Operations and Analytics, Career Education 
  • Anjali Prabhu
    Professor of Comparative Literature and French
  • Smitha Radhakrishnan
    Associate Professor of Women’s Studies and Sociology
  • Carlos Ramos
    Professor of Spanish
  • Lisa Rodensky ’84
    Professor of English
  • Casey Rothschild
    Associate Professor of Economics
  • Joy St. John
    Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
  • Carolyn Slaboden
    AVP and Director of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity
  • Pamela Taylor
    Assistant Provost, Institutional Planning and Assessment
  • Heather Woods ’97
    Associate Chief Information Officer

Timeline

  • June–December 2020

    Working groups develop recommendations, engage the community, and synthesize community feedback

  • January–February 2021

    Working groups deliver reports and final recommendations to the Steering Committee, which then integrates the reports into a draft plan

  • March 2021

    Steering Committee shares draft plan with the Board and the community for feedback, revises plan accordingly

  • April 2021

    Strategic plan is presented to the Board for approval