Quinnipiac University gathered students and faculty on Thursday afternoon to discuss the first part of its “Strategic Visioning” process.
New this year and led by President Marie Hardin, the strategic visioning discussions highlight the university’s mission, values, vision and the “strategic plan that will bring it all to life,” according to the university website.
Hardin began the discussion by stating her plans for the event.
“We’re going to be talking today about mission, about values and about vision,” Hardin said.
During the discussion, Hardin introduced Paul Friga, clinical professor of strategy at UNC Keenan Flagler School of Business. Friga discussed the key components of a strategic vision, highlighting how the mission statement, vision and values make a successful strategic vision.
“Those statements… will then feed into action. And the way it feeds into action is through articulated priorities at the institution level,” Friga said.
Hardin then proceeded to discuss Quinnipiac’s values, mission statement and vision.
“(The university’s values) is a reflection of your input. This is a reflection of hundreds of survey responses from the community,” Hardin said.
Hardin defines Quinnipiac’s values in three words: Fierce, passionate and bold.
“We’re fierce about our commitment to our students… I’m passionate about this community… and what I’m bold about, well for me, just about our future,” Hardin said.
Hardin summed up the mission statement: “We prepare graduates as enlightened global citizens equipped for the challenges and opportunities of current and future careers.”
Hardin also said, “We are in the business of higher education,” regarding the university’s mission.
Referring to the university’s vision, Hardin asked attendees three questions: “What are the things we have that can’t be replicated? What is our unique place in the marketplace? And then how can we amplify that?”
Following this, Hardin allowed the audience 15 minutes to answer these questions and provide feedback through an online survey.
Some of the feedback that was received included, “location next to Sleeping Giant State Park,” “a great growth mindset of all stakeholders” and a “willingness to change, to take risks,” Hardin mentioned.
While Hardin discussed the values and mission of Quinnipiac, she did not mention any concrete plans for the university’s vision. Hardin’s focus is on creating a vision based on community feedback.
Hardin mentioned that this feedback will be used in the next steps of the strategic visioning process, with plans for more survey opportunities.
This is only the first part of the university’s strategic visioning process, with another discussion being held on Feb. 19.
