Over the next year, the University will embark on an exciting, collaborative journey to create Mount Allison’s new strategic plan. This plan will guide the university towards our third century of excellence and impact. 

The Strategic Planning Process (SPP) will be chaired by Dr. Ian Sutherland, President and Vice-Chancellor, and facilitated by a diverse and multifaceted team. This team will be formed in the coming weeks through an open call to the university community.  

As part of this initiative, Dean of Libraries and Archives Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Craig Brett, professor of economics and secretary of senate, have been appointed as the strategic planning co-leads. They bring significant expertise and leadership to these important roles in guiding the process forward.

Rubin holds a PhD from Simmons University (Boston, MA) in Managerial Leadership in the Information Professions. Over the course of her twenty-year career in libraries, she has worked in public and academic libraries both large and small. She truly enjoys the work and process of strategic planning and is excited to apply her significant experience in this area at Mount Allison.  

“Strategic planning is hard but vital work, requiring thoughtful engagement and a dedication to generous thinking,” says Rubin. “I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to help bring together the ideas and shared vision of our community. The Strategic Planning Facilitation Team will help lay the groundwork for sustainable progress and meaningful impact.” 

Brett holds a PhD in Economics from the University of British Columbia and joined Mount Allison in 2001. With nearly 28 years of teaching experience and 35 publications, his expertise spans microeconomics, public economics, environmental economics, and econometrics. Brett has received several prestigious awards at Mount Allison, including the Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award and the Paul Paré Medal, recognizing his excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service. 

“I am honoured to be chosen as a co-lead on this initiative and very excited to work with Rachel and the President,” says Brett. “Strategic planning is important work. It gives us a chance to examine who we think we are, who we really are, and who we would like to be. It is my sincere hope that the team we assemble can produce a plan to help us achieve those things.” 

Defining The University’s Strategic Vision 

The SPP will help define our future – who we want to be as Mount Allison University, how we mould a future of excellence rooted in our academic mission to advance knowledge of all forms, nurturing the human condition. 

Next Steps  

Together, Rubin and Brett will oversee the formation of our Strategic Planning Facilitation Team (SPFT), approximately 10 individuals drawn from across the University community. Stay tuned for an open call for nominations to serve on this dynamic team; consider putting yourself forward or encouraging a friend or colleague. 

The strategic planning journey will be engaging and a journey that will build a new strategic plan from the ground up. It will be a highly consultative, inclusive, and iterative process where everyone will have the opportunity to contribute. We will engage and consult with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other key community members to ensure that everyone plays a role in shaping Mount Allison’s future.  

Together, and with the leadership of Rubin and Brett, we will develop a strategic plan that blazes exceptional future paths! 

Throughout the SPP, updates will be shared on the progress and full details, including the timeline and process, will be available on the Strategic Planning webpage once it goes live.