Setting strategic direction for a new department
The Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (DHEWD) recently celebrated its two-year anniversary on Aug. 28. The reorganization of state government two years ago brought workforce and higher education together under one umbrella, giving citizens the full range of options for postsecondary education and training beyond high school.
Developing a strategic plan falls right in line with reflecting on accomplishments and progress made in our short history. A former strategic plan, the Blueprint for Higher Education, focused solely on outcomes related to traditional college attainment. A new era for the department and the state itself warrants a new plan.
During the June Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) meeting, staff presented an overview of data points showing where Missouri currently stands in relation to other Midwestern states and the nation in terms of population, workforce participation, educational attainment, COVID-19 impacts, and more. This served as a starting point to develop goals in relation to statewide needs. Conversations around those goals are still happening, and will be a part of the approved plan later this year.
A new mission and principles
As a new department, DHEWD has worked to develop a unique culture and help staff understand their roles. A vision statement was approved at the formation of the new department, with a set of values developed and approved in fall 2020. Part of the strategic planning process this year has been to develop a new mission statement and set guiding principles to frame the department's work moving forward.
The CBHE showed support for the following draft mission statement and principles during its Sept. 15 meeting:
Next Steps
The department will continue to work through big goals, targets and indicators as we develop strategies and initiatives to implement in January 2022.
A final plan is expected for approval during the regular December CBHE meeting.
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