Dear members of the Laurentian University community,
What a celebration! Thank you to all who attended the launch of our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan and to the more than 1500 people who contributed their thoughts and ideas to shaping Laurentian’s future.
I’d like to acknowledge those who worked tirelessly to organize the event and who created a celebration that will not soon be forgotten. Our students never cease to amaze me and I want to thank Emily Jago and Eric Dupuis for emceeing the event and making us proud once again. Chi miigwech to traditional knowledge keeper Rob Spade and the Drumming Group and to all of our speakers.
The journey to the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan began in December 2016 and was developed through extensive consultation featuring input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, community representatives, industry partners, and members of the Board of Governors. In total 50 sessions were held on campus, at elementary and secondary schools and in communities including: Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Coleman Township, M’Chigeeng, and Sudbury.
I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to the 24-member steering committee and to Dr. Linda Ambrose for their dedication and commitment to the process, our students, and our community. The support of staff in the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Marketing and Communications Departments, the Provost’s Office and in University Advancement was essential during the consultation and launch phases.
The past 5-years at Laurentian University have been remarkable and transformative. We have enjoyed success on many levels and achieved historical milestones as a result of the ambitious outcomes identified in our 2012-2017 Strategic Plan.
Laurentian’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan is a continuation of the University’s development and growth and will build on our shared values. We will focus on opportunities for collaboration, investments and accomplishments that align with our strengths: Indigeneity, Francophone cultures and language, interdisciplinarity, mining and environmental sustainability, and well-being. This university has a wide reach, and what we achieve here resonates with people and helps build vibrant, knowledgeable, and healthy communities.
The title says it all. Together. Ensemble. Maamwi. This plan is all about identifying the shared values and strengths that make us who we are. They are all impressive on their own, but taken together, they tell a powerful story about who we are and all we have to offer.
The outcomes will be championed by groups of people who are ready to actively engage and who are passionate about their respective priorities. And just like everything we have done up to this point, our next steps will require the combined work and dedication of the entire community.
In the coming weeks and months, implementation teams for each of the 25 outcomes will begin the process of defining the activities, benchmarks and timelines related to those outcomes.
If you are interested in joining one of these working groups, please contact Linda Ambrose at lambrose@laurentian.ca to express your interest.
Also, join in our conversation through social media using the hashtag #Imagine2023 and on our website at laurentian.ca/strategicplan.