New initiatives are one part of ongoing change
Penn State is taking proactive steps in its long-term effort to strengthen the University and position it for continued success in a rapidly changing higher education environment. This work builds on the years of progress already underway through the Road Map for Penn State’s Future, including initiatives such as Optimized Service Teams, the Academic Portfolio and Program Review, and changes to the Commonwealth Campus ecosystem. The new initiatives align with the University’s strategic priorities and leadership goals, including student success, research excellence, access and impact, employee investment, financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
The need to continue this progress is clear. Higher education is experiencing significant changes in student demographics and expectations, new approaches to teaching and learning, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, increased competition and growing financial pressures. The senior leaders shared that Penn State faces rising costs and stressed the need to create greater capacity to invest in its people, facilities and academic mission.
Student success was the common thread throughout the discussion, underscoring the need for every part of Penn State to remain laser-focused on helping students thrive. That commitment is reflected in the creation of a new Office of Student Success, which will bring together efforts across academic and administrative units to create a more coordinated, data-informed student success ecosystem and help students access the resources, guidance and opportunities they need, from enrollment through graduation.
As part of this work, the group discussed the organizational assessment conducted over the summer to help identify opportunities to strengthen the University’s future through mission-driven growth, strategic investment and greater operational effectiveness. The assessment affirmed the strength of Penn State’s foundation — from student demand and research excellence to its statewide reach, World Campus and alumni community — while identifying opportunities for mission-driven growth and greater operational effectiveness.
As the assessment was discussed only at a high level during the State of State, an executive summary is now available for the community to see the broader analysis. Additional information and details will be shared as part of upcoming town halls and listening sessions this October.
As discussed during State of State, new workstreams are launching. Each will be led by a Penn State sponsor and lead, and faculty and staff across the University will take part in shaping the work. While this is Penn State’s effort, McKinsey & Company's Education Practice, under a multi-year agreement the Board of Trustees approved in September, will add analytical support, bring best practices across sectors, and provide coaching and extra capacity to coordinate the effort at pace.
Collectively, this work will build on the number of existing change initiatives underway, and is intended to strengthen what works, create new capacity to invest and innovate, and build a more sustainable, agile and forward-looking Penn State for the years ahead.
Over the next 12-18 weeks, the workstreams will engage the University community to gather additional insights and ideas and develop detailed plans and recommendations — the how — for advancing key University priorities. The workstreams will focus on the following areas and make recommendations to senior leadership early in the new year with a goal to begin work this spring semester.
Academic Operations
Administrative Operations
Advancement
Auxiliaries and Real Estate
Commonwealth Campuses
Healthcare Costs
Procurement
Research and Development
Student Success
Undergraduate Enrollment and Aid
World Campus
“Change is not the end goal itself. It is how we ensure Penn State remains strong, sustainable, and able to deliver on its mission for years to come,” Bendapudi said. “It means being open to new ideas, learning from one another and helping each other through the changes ahead. You do not need to have all the answers. We need your experience, your questions and your willingness to challenge the status quo — and to help us build a stronger way forward, together.”
Leading through change: Tools and resources available for employees
As Penn Staters reimagine ways of working, teaching, and supporting our communities, resources are available to guide employees at every level of change, from leadership overseeing implementation to employees seeking details on how an initiative may affect them.
Resources can be found by visiting the Office of Enterprise Change and Transformation website, which outlines best practices for guiding change, as well as opportunities to get involved or find additional information. Available resources walk through the process of organizational change, from early-stage planning to implementation, including:
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An Organizational Change Management Community of Practice that brings together faculty and staff interested in organizational change, stakeholder engagement, communications, adoption and change leadership. Through monthly meetings, open to any Penn State faculty or staff member, individuals will find opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas, discuss emerging topics and learn from colleagues across the University.
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Human Resources professional development trainings and office hours, for those interested in more direct assistance from organizational change management experts. Employees can receive consultations, coaching and professional development, and learn about specialized tools as they plan and participate in change initiatives at Penn State.
Getting involved: Workstream engagement opportunities
Penn Staters who are interested in opportunities for engaging with one or more of the new workstreams are encouraged to complete this form or attend an upcoming town hall meeting, which are being scheduled and will soon be shared in Penn State News.
To learn more about ongoing change initiatives, workstream sponsors and leads, and upcoming engagement opportunities, visit Penn State’s road map website.