Strategic Planning Workshop Inspires Bold Ideas, Grounded in Community Voice

On May 20, Saint Paul College hosted an energizing Strategic Planning Workshop, bringing together educators, employers, community partners, and students to reimagine the future of the college and the communities we serve.

“It was such an energizing day with an incredible mix of educators, employers, community partners, and truly inspiring students,” said Dr. Jessica Lauritsen, who is leading this design challenge in collaboration with five community colleges. “So much heart and brilliance in one room!” President Peaslee echoed this excitement, adding, “I was so inspired by the diverse voices at each table coming together to shape this vision.”

The 55-member Strategic Planning Team reflected that diversity and depth, bringing together academic deans, faculty from each division and the library, students, external partners, executive cabinet members, supervisors, and frontline staff.

This workshop wasn’t just about creating a plan—it was about imagining what’s possible. Grounded in equity, inclusion, and innovation, it marked a pivotal step in shaping a bold, five-year strategic vision rooted in lived experience and shared purpose.

Community Voices at the Center
In preparation for the event, our partners at Education Design Lab gathered insights through interviews and focus groups with students, faculty, staff, alumni, employers, and community members. This feedback was featured in a gallery walk that sparked meaningful dialogue and helped ensure the strategies developed were anchored in the realities and hopes of our broader community.

A Day of Dialogue and Discovery
Throughout the day, participants engaged in collaborative activities, storytelling, and forward-looking conversations. A moving student panel and a powerful Photovoice exhibit reminded us why this work matters. Students’ voices—honest, thoughtful, and inspiring—shaped discussions on how to build a more connected, relevant, and equitable learning experience.

“Transformation happens when we stop asking what’s worked in the past and start asking what’s possible now. This work is about building flexible, inclusive pathways that reflect the lives, aspirations, and realities of modern learners and opens doors for every student,” noted Paula Kinney, AVP of Strategy and Innovation and co-leader of the strategic planning effort with Education Design Lab.

From this energy emerged a set of bold strategies aligned with Saint Paul College’s mission and values—strategies that reflect both creative momentum and a commitment to lasting, systemic change.

What’s Next
College leadership will now refine the co-created strategies into a draft framework, to be shared for additional feedback this summer. A final five-year strategic plan will be released this fall, complete with clear action steps and shared accountability.