Strategic Planning Initiative
The strategic planning process will be a forward-looking, action-oriented dialogue to
identify the handful of major initiatives that will continue UD’s path to prominence in our
core mission areas: Undergraduate Education; Graduate Education; Scholarship and
Research; and Public, Professional and Community Service.
A Steering Committee composed of a thoughtful group of faculty and administrators will
lead a community-wide discussion on the University’s current capabilities and
positioning, and consider actions and opportunities that would serve as priorities for the
next few years.
After the priorities are identified, the deans, department chairs and other unit heads will
be asked to address how their units may best support those priorities. Subsequently, the
strategic plan will include a description of the resources, facilities, and administrative
supports required for implementation.
It is important that the Committee’s recommendations are well grounded in the realities
facing the University and that they have significant support from the university’s key
constituencies including faculty, students, staff, alumni, Trustees, community members,
and our state leadership. At the same time, this should be a thoughtful and independent
look at the university led by the faculty and senior staff.
A key responsibility of the Steering Committee is to ensure that all members of the UD
community feel engaged in the strategic planning process. Achieving this goal requires
that the Committee reach out effectively and sustain a focus on the future of the
University as a whole, rather than deliberate the prospects for particular programs and
disciplines.
Steering Committee Membership
Debra Hess Norris, Co-Chair
Henry Francis du Pont Chair of Fine Arts, and Chairperson, Department of Art
Conservation
Mark Barteau, Co-Chair
Robert L. Pigford Chair of Chemical Engineering and Chairperson, Department of
Chemical Engineering
Ralph Begleiter
Rosenberg Professor of Communication and Distinguished Journalist in Residence
Nancy Brickhouse
Professor and Director, School of Education
Tom Church
E. I. Dupont Professor of Marine Biochemistry and Biophysics
Michael Gilbert
Vice President for Student Life
Lesa Griffiths
Director of the Center for International Studies and Professor of Animal Sciences
Lou Hirsh
Director of Admissions
Matt Kinservik
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English
Ken Miller
Professor and Director, School of Nursing
Robin Morgan
Dean and Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Charlie Riordan
Professor and Chairperson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
John Sawyer
Professor and former Chairperson, Department of Business Administration
Leland Ware
Louis L. Redding Chair for the Study of Law and Public Policy, School of Urban Affairs
and Public Policy
Patricia Wilson
Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the President