IM体育官网

IM体育官网 took a pivotal step in shaping its future by bringing together industry, education, and community leaders for its first Strategic Planning Summit on Saturday, Sept. 7, fostering innovative collaboration and a shared vision for the years ahead.

The event marks the initial step in the process of developing the University鈥檚 next five-year strategic plan.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 president, convened a group of 34 key influencers, actively seeking their insights on the University鈥檚 current state and future direction. Their input was instrumental in helping to refine IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 priorities and shape broad strategies to guide its path forward.  

The participants included current and former elected officials from Lakeland and Auburndale, industry leaders, law enforcement representatives, IM体育官网 Poly alumni, members of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees, as well as faculty and staff.

鈥淚f we fail to plan, we plan to fail,鈥� Stephenson said to the group. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we have a strategic plan that is organic, and that we have both internal and external stakeholders take part in it. For the next five years, we want to move forward in the same direction, making things happen together.鈥�

The daylong event was hosted at Catapult, an entrepreneurial business incubator in Lakeland, IM体育官网. 

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, one of the participants, said he was happy to see the emphasis on community involvement.

鈥淚 am super encouraged by Dr. Stephenson鈥檚 ear-to-the-ground desire to listen to the stakeholders who care a lot about IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 success and learn from the things that provide the greatest opportunity to move forward,鈥� Mutz said. 鈥淚 think he exudes the kind of confidence and listening ear that provides trust, hope and direction.鈥�

Ana Kalman, vice president and chief information officer-chief application officer at Lakeland Regional Health, said the event was also important to ensure the University and community are working toward shared goals.  

鈥淎t the end of the day, the students will actually seek employment with our organizations, and we will be aligned to be able to benefit from each other,鈥� Kalman said. 鈥淚 think IM体育官网 Poly is perfectly positioned to continue meeting the needs of the community.鈥�

The ideas and suggestions provided by the attendees will now be assessed and utilized to begin developing actionable steps for the new five-year strategic plan. 

Steve Scruggs, president of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, highlighted the importance of collaboration and mutual support among local leaders and stakeholders to help the University grow.  

鈥淚 hope everybody felt heard today and I hope everyone walks out of here cheerleading each other鈥檚 priorities because we鈥檙e all in this together,鈥� Scruggs said.

Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications 
863-874-8557