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Strategic Plan

Planning Process

SEMO Academic Hall Aerial View
SEMO President Brad Hodson charged the Strategic Planning Task Force in fall 2025 to develop a comprehensive plan that would reinvent SEMO and strengthen our ability to intentionally serve the evolving needs of students, employers, and our region.  The process kicked off in November 2025 following the planning process outlined below.

Our Planning Process

  1. Pre-Planning

    November 2025

    • Share data request
    • Align on desired outcomes
    • Surface key themes to address
    • Finalize project plan and charter
    • Design stakeholder engagement approach

  2. Build A Shared Understanding

    Nov-Jan 2025-2026

    • Facilitate kickoff meeting
    • Conduct targeted market scan and benchmarking analysis
    • Engage stakeholders through focus groups and surveys
    • Reflect on Phase 1 findings
    • Review Institutional data
    • Host listening sessions
    • Align on key emerging themes
    • Articulate our aspirations

  3. Develop & Prioritize Strategic Options

    Feb-March 2026

    • Develop synthesis of key themes and options
    • Facilitate prioritization session with senior leaders
    • Align on prioritized goals, initiatives, and success metrics

  4. Draft and Socialize The Strategic Plan

    June 2026

    • Select Task Force members draft the initial strategic plan document
    • Review and iterate on the document
    • Socialize the plan
    • Refine and finalize based on community feedback
    • Develop implementation plan

Strategic Planning Task Force

  • Dr. Moretta Burk, Chairperson/Associate Professor, Nursing
  • Mr. Eric Chambers, Director, Institutional Research
  • Dr. Brian Donovant, Chairperson, Professor, Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology
  • Dr. Doug Koch, Interim Provost
  • Mr. Robert Knodell, City Manager, City of Poplar Bluff
  • Ms. Marcie Lawson, CEO, Sikeston Chamber, Economic Development and Tourism
  • Mr. Eric Levin, Vice Chair, Southeast Missouri University Foundation
  • Mr. Chris Martin, Chief of Staff and General Counsel
  • Dr. Chelsea McNeely, Director of Online and Graduate Services
  • Mr. Dan Presson, Assistant Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development
  • Mr. Drew Roth, Vice President, Student Government Association
  • Dr. Samantha Siemers, Assistant Professor, Agriculture
  • Mr. Lloyd Smith, Vice President, Board of Governors
  • Ms. Tonya Wells, Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Communications
  • Ms. Betsy Wilcox, Assistant Athletics Director, Student Support Services/Sr. Woman Administrator
  • Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck, Chairperson/Professor, Mass Media
  • Dr. Keith Zoromski, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, Mineral Area Colle