Introduction

The Missouri State University-West Plains campus community came together during the 2025-2026 academic year to analyze a variety of information and data, work collaboratively, and draft a Strategic Plan to guide the university from 2026-2031. The university embarked on the plan one year early, due to the arrival of a new Chancellor, Zora Mulligan, and align with the recently completed 2025-2030 Strategic Plan at Missouri State University in Springfield. 

Work on the MSU-West Plains Strategic Plan convened in September 2025 with the formation of the Strategic Planning Committee, composed of members from multiple faculty and staff departments. Collaborating with the Chancellor, lead consultant Dr. Tracy McGrady, and other stakeholders, the Strategic Planning Committee guided the efforts throughout the process. 

The Fall 2025 semester was devoted in large part to planning and information gathering. A third-party consulting firm performed a social, political, and economic environment scan and led Focus Group sessions in which faculty, staff, students, community members, and representatives of the business community offered feedback on the university’s strengths, areas for growth, and opportunities. From these efforts, the Strategic Planning committee identified several themes of focus. 

The Spring 2026 semester was devoted to interactive workshops and collaborative efforts in which faculty, staff, and administrators identified five goals for inclusion in the Strategic Plan. Each goal was then assigned to a Goal Work Group. Comprised of faculty and staff, these groups considered data, created outcomes, and set benchmarks to achieve each goal across the next five years. The results of these efforts reflect a deep level of collaboration and engagement between Missouri State University-West Plains faculty and staff.  

Throughout the year, the Strategic Planning Committee solicited feedback and input from faculty, staff, and students regarding the Mission, Vision, and Values statements. Continually refined, those statements were solidified and approved at the end of the Spring semester, reflecting the wide-ranging input received from the campus community. 

The Strategic Planning Committee co-chairs routinely communicated progress through university channels. A routine and thorough effort was undertaken to ensure that everyone in the campus community was kept up to date as the Strategic Planning process moved towards completion. 

This collaborative process produced a draft of the Strategic Plan in May 2026. The Missouri State University-West Plains 2026-2031 Strategic Plan was approved by the Missouri State University Board of Governors in June, and launched in August 2026. Attention now turns to implementation, and ensuring the benchmarks and outcomes are met.

Jason McCollom and Lindsey Waggoner
Co-Chairs, 2025 Strategic Planning Committee
Missouri State University-West Plains