aerial view of faculty and staff group around fountain

It is Time to Fly
Strategic Planning

What will Nazareth students and our community say was made possible in our next century by the decisions that we, as a University, make today?

With a theme of “Driving Toward Nazareth’s Next Century … Today,” our Assembly Day on Aug. 26, 2026, kicked off our strategic planning process by setting the stage and gathering crucial input from faculty and staff. The energy, honesty, and belief in Nazareth University that everyone brought to this special event were clear, and the rich conversations during breakout sessions are informing this strategic planning work.

President Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C

Timeline

August 26
Assembly Day Fall 2026
Strategic Planning Kick-Off with Faculty and Staff
September 9
Recruitment of Co-Chairs
Invitations sent from President Finney
September 12
Recruit Steering Committee
Cabinet and key leadership across the institution
October
Presidential Listening Salons
One each for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners
October 6
State of the University Address
To include update on Strategic Planning data and timeline
November
Update to the Board of Trustees
Special meeting to report on planning progress to-date and emerging priorities
November 2
Salon Data Synthesis Report
Due to Steering Committee with Spring Work Plan
November 3–17
Recruitment of Working Groups
One group per priority area with specific charge
December 1
Working Group Kick-Off
Data review and work plan
December 7
Co-Chair Meetings with Working Groups
Initial meeting this week with co-chair support
January 19
Working Groups Working
Regular meetings begin
February 16
Interim Reports Due
From Working Groups to Steering Committee
March 18
Final Reports Due
From Working Groups to Steering Committee
March 18–April 1
Completion of First Draft
Co-Chairs writing in consultation with Steering Committee
April 1–15
Gather Community Feedback
Office hours, survey, etc.
May 8
Strategic Plan Finalized
Unveil to the full campus community

Steering Committee

President Maureen F. Finney, Ed.D, PA-C

  • Dr. Maria Hopkins, Cabinet Lead
  • Dr. Eileen Radigan, Co-Chair
  • Joey Hitchcock, Co-Chair
  • Damika Arnold
  • Darrell Bell
  • Amanda Brady
  • Danielle Bucci
  • Dr. Emily Carpenter
  • Ashley Craft
  • Jamie Fazio
  • Dr. Yousuf George
  • Dr. Lisa Hiley
  • Dr. Matthew Koetz
  • Karen Kuppinger
  • Dr. Thomas Lappas
  • Dr. Cathy Rasmussen
  • Stacy Slocum
  • Caroline Tolbert
  • Ethan Meives (undergraduate student)
  • Kennedy McKinney (graduate student)