Toward 2030

Our process 

Vision. Commitment. Community.

The UNB Strategic Plan was developed through rigorous community engagement, research and analysis and university-wide consultations over two years. 

We defined our strategic planning process in consultation with representative groups and governing bodies in the fall of 2017:

  • The Board of Governors
  • Senates
  • The President’s Executive Team
  • Deans
  • Directors

In fall 2018, we established a steering committee, comprised of 27 UNB community members and three support staff, to lead the three-phased process. The steering committee’s work was guided by the principles of collegial, collaborative consultations; transparent communication and decision-making; and integration.

Phase 1

Consultation during phase one was extensive and focused on the internal community.

In phase one, we completed these key steps:  

  • process planning in consultation with the community;
  • an environmental scan, which included reviews of strategic plans from other universities and reviews of existing UNB university-wide planning documents;
  • consultations with key stakeholder groups and a series of carousel-style consultations open to faculty, staff, students and alumni;
  • an online survey; and
  • the phase one summary report.

The phase one summary report provides an overview of the SWOT analysis results as well as best practices from other universities’ strategic planning processes and results from the university-wide document review, community conversations and the online survey.

Phase 2

Phase two focused on articulating a preferred future for UNB through community engagement and the development of eight position papers. 

We sought feedback from the community through a variety of methods from June through Oct. 2019. Writing teams used the community feedback to develop eight position papers, which would serve as advice to the President for the development of UNB’s next strategic plan.

Position papers

  • Research, Discovery and Innovation
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Academic Programs
  • Student Experience and Success
  • Working Better Together
  • Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Resource Renewal and Sustainability
  • Collaboration, Partnerships and Community Engagement

Phase 3

We shared a draft of the Strategic Vision: UNB Toward 2030 with members of the UNB community in Dec. 2019. 

In Jan. 2020, we held Town Halls on each campus to provide an opportunity for discussion and feedback.

The Board of Governors and the Fredericton and Saint John Senates approved the strategic vision document in Feb. 2020.