Laurentian University launches its 2018-2023 strategic plan: Together. Ensemble. Maamwi.

Core values define map forward for Laurentian building on five areas of strength with 25 outcomes

Laurentian University today launched its 2018-2023 strategic plan which focuses on the university’s five shared values that are; The North inspires us, Student success is our success, Teaching and Learning define us, Curiosity drives our Research, and Relationships are our priority.

“Laurentian’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan encapsulates our university’s core values,” said Pierre Zundel, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.  “We have embraced our identity as well as our collective strengths to identify 25 desired outcomes. This strategic plan is a reflection of our students, faculty, and staff, their work, and the positive impact Laurentian will continue to make in the world. Together, we will shape the future.”

There are 5 main aspirations that are central to the plan:

• Laurentian University will be a leader in the process of reconciliation through transformative postsecondary education and research.
• Laurentian University will be a catalyst for vibrant Francophone cultures and communities across Ontario and beyond.
• Laurentian University will create interdisciplinary knowledge to offer compelling solutions for society’s complex challenges.
• Laurentian University’s expertise in mining and environmental stewardship will drive knowledge creation, economic prosperity, and ecological sustainability, locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Laurentian University will provide innovative solutions to address particular health concerns and the general well-being of the North and its populations.

The strategic plan was developed through extensive consultation featuring input from over 1500    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.

“We had incredible participation throughout the process and the quality of feedback from all of our networks was impressive,” said Dr. Linda Ambrose Special Advisor to the President who guided the process of the University’s new strategic plan. “The next five years will be very much about connectivity and Laurentian’s commitment to expanding opportunities for collaboration. This university has a wide reach, and our impact is felt near and far. What we achieve here resonates with people and helps build vibrant, knowledgeable, and healthy communities.”

The 2018-2023 Strategic Plan was unanimously recommended by a 24-member steering committee after a 10-month process and was subsequently received by the University’s Senate and approved by the Board of Governors in December 2017.

“Laurentian is a microcosm of Canada: we are northern, we are bilingual, we are committed to reconciliation. Our strengths serve as the foundation for what we want to accomplish,” said Dr. Zundel. “The outcomes we will achieve reflect our values, and the unique opportunities we have because of our location in Northeastern Ontario, our commitment to Indigenous education, our bilingual programs, and our expertise in mining, environment, and mino-bimaadiziwin and wellness.”

“Our best outcomes are collaborative ones and we are grateful to those who contributed their thoughts and ideas to shaping Laurentian’s future for the next five years.  We look forward to our faculty, staff, students and partners joining together to implement Laurentian’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan,” said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Board of Governors at Laurentian University.

A pdf version of the full plan can be downloaded at laurentian.ca/strategicplan.

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