Home β€” About Us β€” Mission Vision History β€” Strategic Plan β€” Draft Strategic Goals

Draft Strategic Goals

As of September 2025

 

91°΅Νψ’s next Strategic Plan will support 91°΅Νψ’s Mission, achieve our Vision, and align with our University Values to provide long-term direction for the University.

The Strategic Plan will also support 91°΅Νψ’s equity and attainment goals and align with the educational equity goals outlined in the Illinois Strategic Plan.

Goal 1: Strengthen Student Success and Retention

Improve student progression, engagement, and persistence to support the success of 91°΅Νψ’s diverse student body. This goal will ensure students have the resources, support, and sense of belonging needed to thrive from initial enrollment through graduation.

Team Leads: Claudia Mercado, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management; Terry Mena, Vice President for Student Affairs

Goal Team:

  • Yolanda Aguilera – Deputy Director of Human Resources
  • Maureen Amos – Executive Director of Financial Aid
  • Jeremy Babcock – Director of First-Year Experience (FYE)
  • Ann Carter – Director of Student Payment Services (SPS)
  • Ebony Jiminez-Lee – Staff Psychotherapist and Case Manager, Student Counseling Services
  • Paula Hanley – Director of the One Stop Center
  • Lea Brecel Limon – Student Representative
  • Jaime Mendoza – Academic Advisor
  • Aisha Moosani – Office Administrator, President’s Office
  • Irma Ortiz – Interim Associate Vice President for Retention and Student Success
  • Veronica Rodriguez – Office Support Associate, Student Leadership Development
  • DeWitt Scott – Director, APCDIA
  • Rahshida Walker – University Registrar
  • Michael Zarobe – Director of Alumni Affairs

Goal 2: Enhance Curricular Innovation, Scholarship, and Faculty/Staff Excellence

Advance program innovation, expand learning modalities as appropriate, and provide faculty and staff development to meet evolving student and workforce needs. This goal affirms 91°΅Νψ’s dedication to academic excellence and continuous professional growth.

Team Leads: Shayne Cofer, Provost; Claudia Mercado, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management

Goal Team:

  • Kimya Barden – Director, Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education Doctoral Program (NDP)
  • Sandra Beyda-Lorie – Executive Director, Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
  • Ru Dawley-Carr – Faculty, Graduate College / Goodwin College of Education (GCOE)
  • Lesa Davis – Faculty, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Cassaundra Garcia – Student Representative
  • Matt Graham – Faculty, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Jolanta Jonak – Faculty, Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education (GCOE)
  • Max Kruczek – Acting Associate Vice President for Human Resources
  • Elizabeth Lehl – Faculty, El Centro
  • Tim Libretti – Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Tammy Martin – Director of Career Services / Interim Director
  • Abby Murray – Associate Vice President for Human Resources
  • David Nissim-Sabat – Director, Pre-Health Programs, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Sudha Srinivas – Acting Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
  • Mary Thill – Faculty, Ronald Williams Library
  • Diana Valdez – Associate Director, College of Business and Technology (CBT)
  • Sandy Vue – Director, Office of Institutional Research (OIR)
  • Yi Yang – Faculty, College of Business and Technology (CBT)

Goal 3: Improve Infrastructure for a Sustainable, Accessible, and Student-Centered University

Strengthen 91°΅Νψ’s physical spaces, policies, and technologies to create a sustainable, accessible, and student-centered campus environment. This goal will enhance the student experience, improve institutional effectiveness, and ensure the university’s long-term capacity to serve its community.

Team Leads: Terry Mena, Vice President for Student Affairs; Nicki Bazer, Interim General Counsel

Goal Team:

  • Akua Cason – Interim Director, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS)
  • Andy Dutil – Executive Director of Budget and Financial Planning
  • Christine Guerges – Deputy Director of Human Resources
  • Amie Jatta – Director, TRIO Student Support Services
  • Jennifer Knuepfer – Interim Assistant Director, Student Counseling Services
  • Emma Lubing – Associate General Counsel
  • Eliot Rodriguez – Chief Information Officer, University Technology Services (UTS)
  • Steve Saba – Director, University Technology Services (UTS)
  • Hemant Shah – Architect III, Facilities Management
  • Josh Sumner – Executive Director of Facilities Management
  • Patricia Lopez, Student Representative

Goal 4: Elevate 91°΅Νψ’s Identity as an Urban University with Regional Impact

Increase the visibility and recognition of 91°΅Νψ’s programs, alumni, and community impact. Leverage strategic marketing and communications to position 91°΅Νψ as a diverse, inclusive, and influential regional university.

Team Leads: Chris Childers, Executive Director of Marketing, Blanca Jara, Interim Executive Director of Government Relations

Goal Team:

  • Doni Alecia – Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications
  • Mike Bedell – Dean, College of Business and Technology (CBT)
  • Sylvia Daniels – Director of Development
  • Amanda Dykema-Engblade – Acting Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Effie Kritikos, Ph.D. – Interim Associate Provost and University Contract Administrator
  • Jennie Lasko – Director of Student Health Services
  • Timothy Libretti – Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Richard Prescott – Student Representative, Nontraditional Degree Programs
  • Ryan Trout – Director of 91°΅Νψ
  • Kenneth M. Voglesonger, Ph.D. – Acting Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Associate Professor
  • Karl Voigt – Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees
  • Russell Wartalski – Associate Professor and Department Chair, Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education (GCOE)

Goal 5: Advance Fiscal Stability and Growth

Diversify revenue streams, building strategic partnerships, and support enrollment growth to ensure long-term financial sustainability. This goal will secure the resources needed to invest in students, faculty, staff, and the future of the university.

Team Leads: Beni Ortiz, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Liesl Downey, Vice President for Advancement

Goal Team:

  • Garo Agopian – Faculty, College of Business and Technology (CBT); Chair, Faculty
  • Council on Institutional Advancement
  • Jeremy Babcock – Director, First-Year Experience (FYE)
  • Rona Castaneda – Senior Director of Budget and Financial Planning
  • Aaron Cortes – Director of STEAM Pathways, Center for College Access and Success (CCAS); Adjunct Faculty, Computer Science
  • Amanda Dykema-Engblade – Acting Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
  • Tom Philion – Dean, Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education (GCOE); Chair, University Planning and Budget Council (UPBC)
  • Sudha Srinivas – Acting Associate Provost for Academic Affairs; Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Liaison
  • Marcelo Sztainberg – Dean, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
  • Ryan Trout – Director of Enrollment Services
  • Paola Vargas – Associate Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs