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About the Strategic Planning Process

The strategic planning process launched in September 2024 and was structured in three major phases:​

  1. Stakeholder Engagement (Fall 2024 – Spring 2025)
    • Fact-base development, kickoff, and extensive stakeholder engagement
    • 27 listening sessions with key groups (~2,000 individuals)
    • 16 open-access town halls (2,900+ attendees)
    • Engageme​nt Platform with over 6,700 visitors and 13,000+ page views
    • Three working sessions with campus presidents
    • Board retreat and regular Board updates
  2. Strategy Development (Spring – Summer 2025)
    • Drafting of core plan components
    • Refinement of strategic priorities, objectives, and targets
    • Continued engagement with campus and system leaders
  3. Finalization & Implementation Planning (Summer – Fall 2025)
    • Development of the implementation roadmap
    • Preparation for final presentation to the Board of Trustees (Sept 2025)

The plan was developed through an inclusive, iterative process facilitated by renowned higher education consultant Sova. It was critical that all stakeholders had opportunities to engage in this process and provide input and feedback. A Steering Committee was appointed to represent system constituencies by gathering their input and serving as their voice, and there were multiple opportunities for direct engagement throughout. ​




About the Steering Co​​mmittee

The Chancellor's Office has appointed a Steering Committee comprised of systemwide and university leadership, as well as representatives of all major CSU constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and the CSU Board of Trustees. The committee will serve a critical and valued advisory role to Chancellor García, and the Board of Trustees, while collaborating with Chancellor's Office staff.

Steering Committee members: 

  • Tara Al-Rehani, President, California State Student Association (preceded by Iese Esera) 
  • Elizabeth “Betsy” Boyd, Chair, Academic Senate of the California State University
  • Marla Carrette, Business Support & Planning Administrator, Capital Planning, Design and Construction
  • Jack Clarke, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Kristin Crellin, Chair, CSU Foundation Board of Governors
  • Nathan Dietrich, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advocacy and State Relations
  • Danielle García, Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief of Staff Saúl Jiménez Sandoval, President, Fresno State University
  • Julia Lopez, Trustee, Board of Trustees
  • Lynn Mahoney, President, San Francisco State University
  • Dilcie Perez, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs & Chief Student Affairs Officer, John Poli, President, CSU Alumni Council
  • Greg Saks, Vice Chancellor, External Relations and Communications

About So​va

Sova is a mission-driven strategy consultancy focused on helping make good on this country's social contract that education is a path to opportunity and upward mobility for all. Sova has worked with higher education systems and institutions, associations, and philanthropies across the country - in more than 40 states, including California - to achieve large-scale change through careful attention to actionable strategy and practical implementation. We focus on the places where change falls apart in practice, and all our strategy work is oriented by a commitment to meeting people where they are.

Sova's approach includes:

  • High-quality innovation that is evidence-based, sustainable, and scalable;
  • Attention to both the technical and human dimensions of change;
  • Clear-eyed attention to resource allocation and business modeling;
  • Rigorous focus on process design;
  • Planning for meaningful engagement of critical stakeholders;
  • Improving collaboration between groups to build a base of support for change and to drive progress on key initiatives.​
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