Skip to main content

Strategic Plan 2025–2030

Our highest aspiration is to reach every Northwestern instructor.

Cover of the Searle Cnter Strategic Plan.

Creating the conditions in which students and educators can thrive is a collective endeavor.

Guided by our shared values of critical reflection, multi-vocal evidence, and collaboration, the Searle Center completed our strategic planning process with community conversations, gathering feedback that we incorporated to enhance the resonance of our signature programs and prioritize our strategic initiatives.

As we enact our strategic plan over the next five years, we will continue to refine our approach through annual reflections and public updates on our progress, ensuring that our initiatives remain aligned with the evolving needs of our community.

Explore innovative ideas for lasting impact.

We have catalyzed a dramatic transformation—reinvigorating our signature programs, reimagining our areas of focus, and revolutionizing the way we work. What has remained constant is our longstanding dedication to understanding the unique needs of instructors and providing personalized thought partnership.”

Jennifer Keys, PhD

Senior Director of the Searle Center

Strategic Priorities

Our four strategic priorities align with our values to forward our mission and vision.

01 DEEPEN REFLECTIVE, EVIDENCE-INFORMED, AND INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES in white font on a bright red background.
02 BOLSTER STUDENT SUCCESS AND INSTRUCTOR VITALITY in white font on a dark blue background.
03 STIMULATE ASSESSMENT TO DRIVE SUBSTANTIVE COURSE AND CURRICULAR CHANGE in white font on a dark yellow background.
04 EXPAND THE CENTER'S REACH AND VISIBILITY in white text on a vibrant green background.

Levels of Impact

We design our signature programs and strategic initiatives to reach four levels of impact.

White lightbulb icon on a Northwestern purple background.

Instructors

We synthesize evidence to develop and deliver our resources, programming, and initiatives for instructors, building their capacity to create educational environments grounded in significant learning for all students.

White icon of four hands holding on to one another on a Northwestern purple background.

Community

We connect instructors across teaching contexts, disciplines, and career stages with fortifying knowledge-sharing communities by hosting inter/disciplinary gatherings to build a stronger Northwestern.

White icon of the Northwestern arch on a Northwestern purple background.

University

We collaborate with academic leaders and serve on committees/boards/councils to address challenges, innovate, and scale initiatives that advance Northwestern’s commitment to delivering an outstanding educational experience.

White icon of an abstract network of people on a Northwestern purple background.

Culture

We spark curiosity and reflection with the goal of continuous improvement, activate exemplary instructors as change agents, and inspire a culture of hope by igniting powerful moments of insight and joy.

Embarking on in 2025

Here are some strategic initiatives launching soon.

Course Delivery Lab: Priority 1, Level 1. Experiment with dynamic, evidence-informed instruction in this lab designed for instructors new to teaching and at any career stage who want to invigorate courses with fresh ideas for active, collaborative, and experiential learning, apply easy-to-implement formative assessment techniques, and practice with public speaking and facilitation strategies through micro-teaching.
Instructor Vitality: Priority 2, Level 4. Cultivate a relationship-rich environment where instructors can bolster vitality by connecting and learning with colleagues who share similar interests, roles, or experiences, empowering them to maintain a sustainable commitment to learning and teaching across the span of their career.
STEM Education Transformation: Priority 3, Level 3. Collaborate with the new STEM Education Advisory Board to guide departmental-/program-based curricular change projects with a focus on gateway, large-enrollment, lab, and high attrition courses, empowering change agents to design for student success and transform STEM education at scale so all students can thrive.
Customized Workshops: Priority 4, Level 2. Cultivate a relationship-rich environment where instructors can bolster vitality by connecting and learning with colleagues who share similar interests, roles, or experiences, empowering them to maintain a sustainable commitment to learning and teaching across the span of their career.

Contents

Letter from Our Senior Director

Community Conversations

Mission, Vision, and Values

Focus Areas

Levels of Impact

Priority 1: Deepen reflective, evidence-driven, and innovative pedagogical practices.

Priority 2: Bolster student success and instructor vitality.

Priority 3: Stimulate assessment to drive substantive course and curricular change.

Priority 4: Expand the Center's reach and visibility.

Our Partners