By Ms. Sherri-lyn Legall, Dean, School of Business and Entrepreneurship (Interim) & Ms. Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
In February 2022, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) embarked on a transformative journey with the commissioning of a strategic planning committee to develop SP100, a comprehensive strategic plan for the period 2022-2027. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Colwick Wilson, President of USC, the committee was tasked with crafting a roadmap that would guide the university’s future growth and development.
Dr. Wilson provided the team with broad strategic priorities, setting the stage for a collaborative and inclusive planning process. The committee was further bolstered by the inclusion of two distinguished alumni, who brought with them extensive experience in senior leadership and strategic planning, to offer support and guidance.
Central to the development of SP100 was the engagement of the university’s stakeholders. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees were all invited to participate in a comprehensive survey to share their ideas and aspirations for the university’s future. The feedback from these surveys was meticulously collated and analyzed, revealing key themes and priorities. This initial feedback was shared with the stakeholder groups, and additional input was solicited to ensure that the plan reflected the diverse perspectives of the USC community.
In addition to internal consultations, the SP100 team conducted an extensive external scanning exercise. This analysis provided crucial data on regional and global trends, ensuring that the strategic plan would be both relevant and forward-looking. The team also held in-depth discussions with USC’s senior leadership, including Vice-Presidents, the Provost, and the Human Resources Director, to gain insights into recent operations and ongoing projects. Trustees of the university were kept informed with progress reports and their feedback was incorporated into the draft plan.
The culmination of these efforts was presented at the University’s Colloquium in August 2022. Here, a summary of the recommended strategic priorities and themes was unveiled, and further feedback from the university community was invited. This iterative process ensured that the final draft of the SP100 plan was a true reflection of the collective vision of USC’s stakeholders.
Over the course of six months, the SP100 team met twice a month, working diligently to compile and refine the gathered information. Following a brief end-of-school-year break, the team resumed its efforts, finalizing the strategic projects and plans that would define USC’s path forward.
The SP100 strategic plan represents a bold vision for the University of the Southern Caribbean, one that is grounded in the aspirations of its community and informed by a rigorous analysis of both internal and external factors. As USC moves into the future, the initiatives and activities outlined in SP100 are expected to drive significant growth and innovation, solidifying USC’s position as a leading institution in the region.
With the implementation of SP100, the University of the Southern Caribbean is poised to embark on a new era of excellence and impact, fostering an environment of learning and development that will benefit students, faculty, and the wider community for years to come.
