Higher Education Strategic Planning That Drives Growth and Faculty Buy-In

Strategic planning in higher education isn't just about setting goals—it's about building the kind of stakeholder engagement and leadership alignment that can drive lasting institutional change. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Andrew T. Hsu, President of the College of Charleston, about how a collaborative planning process helped increase enrollment, launch new academic schools, and move the college toward national university status.

Drawing on his background in both industry and higher education, Dr. Hsu shares insights into balancing urgency with collaboration, the importance of faculty engagement, and the realities of leading strategic change within shared governance environments.

This conversation is especially relevant for presidents, boards, provosts, and leadership teams navigating strategic growth, governance challenges, or long-range institutional transformation.

Topics Covered:

• How strategic planning anchored the College of Charleston’s enrollment growth and academic expansion

• Why broad faculty engagement strengthens institutional resilience and accelerates change

• Lessons from balancing urgency for change with the realities of shared governance

• How industry experience shaped Dr. Hsu’s leadership approach in higher education

• Governance missteps: What happens when leadership bypasses consultation—and how to correct course

• Long-term growth planning and the move toward national university status

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• College of Charleston’s creation of Schools of Health Sciences, Natural and Environmental Sciences, and Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics

• The enrollment surge from 11,000 to 32,000 applications annually under Dr. Hsu’s leadership

• Policy changes at Charleston to formalize academic reorganization processes after early challenges

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Build stakeholder ownership early: Strategic planning must involve faculty, staff, students, alumni, and governing boards to ensure success.

2. Respect governance processes: Even well-intentioned leadership actions can falter without proper consultation and transparency.

3. Balance urgency with collaboration: Sustainable change in higher education requires leaders to move decisively while honoring shared governance culture.

This episode offers practical strategies for institutions seeking to strengthen their strategic planning efforts and drive sustainab