Progress Continues for 2024–29 Strategic Plan

By Posted on ACUI News, Bulletin


ACUI volunteers and staff continued in the past few months to make progress on the 2024–29 Strategic Plan. Highlights that showcase some of the current work are below. You can find the full 2024–29 Strategic Plan at acui.org/about/#strategic.

Pillar 1: 
Pursue education, learning, research, and initiatives that advance the field.

Goal 1: 

Develop educational content to support the creation of inclusive communities.

  • The Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Program Team is working to compile a dissertation list that will be accessible via the website to members. 

Goal 3: 

Create avenues for enhanced connection and alignment among the Education Council, Regional Conference, and Annual Conference planning teams.

  • For events hosted in the past year and those under development, there has been significant improvement in aligning the efforts of the Conference Program Team, Education Council, and Regional Conference Planning Teams. 

Goal 4: 

Enhance research in the field through the Assessment, Evaluation, Research, and Program Team.

  • The Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Team shared information through Regional Conferences and membership lists to promote the creation of a network for graduate and post-doctorate students and researchers. This included hosting a Scholar Network Open House on January 28.

Pillar 2: 
Reengage and support members at the local level through active and revitalized regions.

Goal 2: 

Strengthen Regional Conferences by having a clearly identified core purpose, structure, and intended audience to drive content development and participation.

  • All eight regions hosted in-person conferences in October and November that had Graduate Student Tracks. The same is intended for the 2026 offerings. 
  • Each region also hosted at least two additional community-building events in 2025.

Pillar 3: 
Focus on opportunities for the engagement, retention, and growth of members and volunteers.

Goal 1: 

Expand membership outreach to diverse member institutions.

  • ACUI successfully welcomed new member campuses through the NUS partnership. The campaign included a strong focus on the value of member benefits and sharing ACUI with colleagues and provided the opportunity for new contacts to connect with an existing ACUI member mentor. 
  • A multi-faceted new member onboarding program debuted in April 2026 and includes dedicated emails for primary contacts to find information about benefits, as well as connection to a current member mentor for a more personal introduction to the Association. 

Goal 3: 

Enhance external marketing efforts to further articulate our value proposition.

  • ACUI launched ACUI Unlocked, a one-stop shop for members and nonmembers alike to better understand and connect with the organization. 

Goal 4: 

Refine and strengthen volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition efforts.

  • The Volunteer Development team hosted a webinar in early 2026 that focused on the return of investment for professionals who volunteer for the Association. 

Author

  • Steve Chaplin

    Steve Chaplin is managing editor of ACUI’s The Bulletin and manager of the ACUI College Union and Student Activities (CUSA) Evaluation Program. A former newspaper writer, editor, and manager, he has volunteered as a student mentor as a member of the National Association of Science Writers, and received awards for his writing and reporting from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Kentucky Education Association, and the Kentucky Press Association.

    View all posts