Sept. 25, 2025: Strategic Planning Process Update

Dear Bucknellians,

As The Plan for Bucknell 2025 approaches the end of its timeframe, the University has begun laying the foundation to develop new strategic initiatives that will position us to adapt to near and long-term challenges. This will be critical to Bucknell's ability to thrive, given the myriad forces that are swiftly and significantly reshaping much of higher education. Most importantly, this will also be critical to Bucknell's ability to maintain our historic mission of developing in our students a vibrant life of the mind.

In the past year, we have conducted a deep analysis of Bucknell's finances as we seek to balance our budget and establish a firm foundation on which to build our future. We have considered our strengths as well as areas where improvement is needed. Crucially, we understand that higher education's newly unpredictable environment presents both opportunities and pitfalls — and demands continuous evaluation and agility.

With this in mind, the time has come for Bucknell to replace a traditional, rigid strategic plan model with a new strategic planning process that offers built-in responsiveness and flexibility. We must establish a continual, iterative approach to ensure our university makes the most of every moment, delivers the best education possible, and preserves our mission and values in perpetuity. This new mindset of permanent strategic planning on all levels of operations will reward innovation and strategic adaptation. Even more importantly, it marks the beginning of a true cultural shift at Bucknell.

University Strategy Advisory Committee
The strategic planning process, which will focus on the student experience, the employee experience and operational excellence, will be guided by the University Strategy Advisory Committee. This group includes representatives from Staff Council, Faculty Council, Bucknell Student Government, and the Operations & Management Group. It will play an important role in leading Bucknell boldly into the future, and I am grateful to the following Bucknellians who accepted my invitation to serve as members:

Operations & Management Group
Dan Hungerford, Vice President for Finance & Administration
Kevin Mathes, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management, Associate Vice President & Dean of Admissions
Moe McGuinness, Vice President for Student Affairs & Fritz Family Dean of Students
Nicole Whitehead, Vice President for Talent, Culture & Human Resources

Faculty Council
Erik Lofgren, Faculty Chair and Professor of East Asian Studies
Alan Cheville, Faculty Secretary and Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Alia Stanciu, Associate Professor of Analytics & Operations Management
Bret Leraul, Assistant Professor of Comparative & Digital Humanities

Staff Council
Marian Marchiori, Associate Director of Business Operations
Kim Schon, Academic Assistant, Biomedical Engineering

Bucknell Student Government
Brennan Lane '28
Michael Meskos '27

Provost Wendy Sternberg and Senior Vice President for University Strategy & Advancement Scott Rosevear will co-chair this consultative committee, which will collaborate with appointed groups of faculty, staff and students to maintain important lines of communication with campus stakeholders and ensure representation of all constituencies. It will make sure any new directions align with Bucknell's mission and vision, identify overarching themes and insights, keep the planning process on schedule, and provide updates and recommendations to me. A commitment to transparency, inclusivity, agility and responsiveness will be paramount throughout the process.

You’ve heard me say often that Bucknell is fortunate to be in a place of relative strength in this difficult climate. Our new strategic planning process is the beginning of a new era for the University, which we can make even stronger by leveraging our combined expertise and commitment to our students. I look forward to embarking on this effort together — please watch for additional information and resources in the weeks ahead.

My best,

John C. Bravman
President