Advancement Associates News

10/22/2007
Months of work culminate in retreat for CMU

Jerry Kennell, principal of Advancement Associates, led a strategic visioning retreat for Canadian Mennonite University, October 19 and 20, at Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre in Pinawa, Manitoba. The retreat, involving 75 internal and external stakeholders of the university, was the culmination of an institutional visioning process started in June 2007.

Of the process, Kennell said, “Strategic Vision happens at the intersection of institutional mission and the very dynamic service environment.” Since June, administrators of the university have undertaken a review of trends in demographics of potential students, needs of the church, emerging employment opportunities, social needs, changes in higher education and educational delivery.

Findings of these studies have been analyzed, in light of the mission of the university, to suggest the most important aspects of institutional identity, the most relevant audiences and strategic program directions for the university over the next 15-20 years.

At the retreat, Kennell used a table group process to test these proposed directions with representatives of board, donors, the sponsoring Mennonite Church and Mennonite Brethren denominations, the student body and faculty of the university. Input gathered at the retreat will be used to refine the vision document, which will ultimately serve as a guide for a comprehensive planning process for CMU.

Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Manitoba was founded 1998 with the merger of three existing institutions. The university enrolls nearly 1,900 students in its Menno Simons College, Main Campus and Outtatown programs.