Timeline and Process

Interim President David Bogen and Executive Vice President Betsy Newman appointed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee in July 2023 and charged them with designing and implementing a community engagement and dialogue process that results in a unified mission, vision, and strategic direction for Berklee.

The committee led an eight-month Berklee-wide engagement campaign that included more than 100 workshops and webinars and multiple surveys. Through this process, which prioritized transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration as guiding principles, they collected more than 5,500 community suggestions. These inputs were synthesized, along with historical plans, reports, and frameworks, to inform the development of the mission, vision, and draft strategic direction. 

Graphic that illustrates that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the center of our work, with the other four strategic themes surrounding it.

Unified Mission and Vision

Draft mission and vision statements were reviewed and iterated with the broader Berklee community through virtual and in-person workshops. After multiple rounds of review and refinement involving key stakeholders such as the President’s Cabinet, Provost’s Council, Executive Committee of the Board, and the Board of Trustees, these statements will be voted on this spring.

Strategic Direction

Building on the work led by institutional leaders over the past several years, 22 strategic working groups were created and led by members of the President’s Council and Academic Leadership Council to develop visionary aspirations, goals, and tactics within key focus areas. These inputs were synthesized into a draft strategic direction by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which is being reviewed and refined by Berklee leadership. Once finalized, each learning environment will then design strategic plans to operationalize Berklee’s unified strategic direction.

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Spring–Summer 2023

Process Design

Design and begin implementing an engagement process for strategic planning. Engage leadership groups in dialogues to inform the process. Synthesize historical plans, reports, and data.

Stakeholders: Strategic Planning Steering Committee, President's Cabinet, President's Council, Provost's Council, the Board of Trustees, Academic Leadership Council, Student Enrollment and Engagement Council, and more

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Fall 2023

Data Synthesis; Mission and Vision Drafting and Review; Strategic Framework Development

Berklee community engagement and dialogues inform the development and facilitate the review of draft mission and vision statements. The Steering Committee develops a framework for the strategic direction.

Stakeholders: Strategic Planning Steering Committee, Students, faculty, staff, President's Cabinet, Provost's Council, President's Council, Academic Leadership Council, Board of Trustees, alumni, families, donors, and more.

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Spring 2024

Mission and Vision Approval; Strategic Direction Development

Draft unified mission and vision statements are refined by leadership. Community engagement continues and Academic and President’s Council working groups are activated to inform the strategy. The Board of Trustees votes to approve the unified mission and vision statements and review a draft strategic direction. 

Stakeholders: Strategic Planning Steering Committee, Students, faculty, staff, President's Cabinet, Provost's Council, President's Council, Academic Leadership Council, and Board of Trustees.

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Summer 2024

Draft Strategic Direction Refinement, Area Plan Development

Berklee leadership groups continue to develop the draft strategic direction. Area plans are developed to support the institutional plan.

Stakeholders: Strategic Planning Steering Committee, President's Cabinet, Provost's Council, President's Council, Academic Leadership Council, and Board of Trustees.