Dean of Library Services Rhonda Gonzales said she encourages student feedback for CSU-Pueblo’s strategic plan. | Photo courtesy of library.csupueblo.edu

Recent updates have been made to the 2015-2020 strategic plan for Colorado State University-Pueblo and the committee behind it is encouraging student feedback as priorities are set for 2016.

A revised version of the plan, which was originally implemented on Nov. 7, 2014, was released at convocation in the fall semester. CSU-Pueblo’s provost, Rick Kreminski, and Dean of Library Services Rhonda Gonzales served as co-chairs on the project.

The Strategic Plan Task Force included faculty, administrative and classified staff, as well as students. The team worked on the university-led initiative for several years. The implementation team, which included several faculty members, was tasked with prioritizing the goals, objectives and strategies incorporated in the finalized plan.

“During the spring and summer, we worked with groups across campus to fill in the X’s and Y’s of the measures,” Gonzales said in an email. “The revised version was released at convocation this fall semester. Now we’re working on setting priorities for 2016 and collaborating with groups to ensure that progress is made.”

The plan’s efforts are intended to support CSU-Pueblo’s mission, which is that “Colorado State University-Pueblo is committed to excellence, setting the standard for regional comprehensive universities in teaching, research, and service by providing leadership and access for its region while maintaining its commitment to diversity,” according to the plan.

During the planning stages, faculty and and staff participated in meetings and team building exercises aimed at obtaining input and feedback for the working document. The most current version includes specific measurable objectives.

“The strategic plan is intended to help lead the university on a path towards sustainability,” Gonzales said. “If students want the university to remain a strong institution that they are proud to be graduates of, then investing their efforts in helping make the plan successful will ultimately help us all achieve our goals.”

The main objectives of the plan are to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates and numbers of graduates. Furthermore, the focus is on providing students with excellent and relevant academic programs, advising and financial aid programs that help students succeed, diversity, affordability and student life.

Gonzales emphasized that student involvement is key to the success of the five-year plan.

“We need to hear the students’ voice, so student participation in committees and student responses to emails and surveys are very helpful,” she said. “Also, students can help create a positive perception of CSU-Pueblo and help us recruit by spreading the word that this is a great place to get an education.”

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the most recent survey to assess which objectives are most urgent to prioritize in the coming year, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9BJDX8V.

“Strategic planning is something that students should care about. Enrollment, retention, and a high graduation rate signify a healthy, sustainable and relevant institution. Undergraduate degrees give CSU-Pueblo the necessary authority in the workplace and facilitates increased earning power,” Gonzales said.

The strategic plan is available to view on the CSU-Pueblo website in the I:\University Common\ Strategic Plan 2015-2020 folder.