Strategic Planning

Shaping SESP’s Future Together

The Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has long been a place where we honor the past, meet the moment, and set the stage for the future. As the No. 2 ranked graduate school of education according to U.S. News & World Report, SESP is a school of distinction that combines the rigor of a world-class research university with a commitment to improving lives through social policy, education, and human development.

As SESP approaches its centennial in July 2026, commemorating one hundred years of scholarship, practice, and public impact, there is a natural moment for reflection and an opportunity to consider its vision for the future. The fields SESP has long shaped are being reshaped themselves: by technology, shifting policy landscapes, and urgent questions about equity and opportunity. This is exactly the moment to coalesce around who SESP is and what the school stands for – both to our own community and to those we serve. That’s why we are launching a comprehensive strategic planning effort – to align around a shared vision, clarify what makes SESP distinctive, and position the school with intention for its second century. In this way, we can ensure the milestone year points not only to the past with pride, but forward with purpose and ambition.

“It’s a moment to reflect on the remarkable foundation our community has built over generations, and to think boldly about the future we want to create together. This strategic plan will define our direction for the next five years, and be rooted in our strengths, lifting up all that makes SESP distinctive while helping us chart a clear, unifying, and ambitious path forward."

 
- Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, Dean, Carlos Montezuma Professor of Education and Social Policy

Beginning in May 2026 and continuing through the coming academic year, SESP will consult its community through collaborative research and listening. The resulting plan will sharpen the school's identity, elevate its profile, and chart a clear course for the next five years and beyond.

Process & Goals

The strategic planning initiative will draw on a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, University leadership, and partner organizations to build a shared vision, mission, values, and key priority areas for SESP.

The planning process will aim to:

• Gather perspectives, ideas, and feedback from key stakeholders
• Refresh the schools’ mission, vision, and values statements
• Develop a strategic plan to guide decision-making, philanthropy, and resource allocation over the next three to five years.
• Provide clarity and promote a united approach to key priorities

The final deliverables will include a strategic plan document, including vision, mission, and values statements and a selection of key priorities and actionable goals for further development.

Strategic planning consultants Jennifer Judge Hensel and Marisa Quinn will work closely with the SESP community to conduct an inclusive strategic planning process, working closely with key faculty and staff leaders to gather and synthesize stakeholder input from across the SESP community.

Project Phases & Timelines

Engagement and Governance

The process will seek broad, representative input from across the school, ensuring all voices help shape the plan. This includes faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners.

This will include:

• Surveys, meetings, focus groups, and individual interviews;
• A robust governance structure, including a Core Working Group and Steering Committee that will help shape and steward the plan; and
• Writing groups to develop concrete goals across key priority areas.

Get involved. Stay tuned for ways to participate!

Submit questions or concerns via this form.

Governance Groups

The following groups will support the strategic planning effort, with Dean Brayboy as the primary sponsor.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee includes representatives from our constituent groups who act as advisors and ambassadors and expand engagement of key SESP members. The steering committee collaborates with our consultants to guide and provide input throughout the process and advise on stakeholder engagement to ensure it is inclusive.

Members include:

• Carrie Tzou, associate dean, professor
• Jonathan Guryan, Lawyer Taylor Professor of Education and Social Policy
• Megan Bang, James E. Johnson Professor of Learning Sciences
• Susan Olson, associate dean of student affairs
• Mike Hannen, senior director, information technology
• David Brazy, marketing and communications director
• Lizzie Perkins, director of FUSE
• Valentina Parra, undergraduate student

Core Working Group

The core working group, which includes the members on the steering committee, will participate in retreats to develop our mission, vision, and values; identify priorities to advance the mission; identify writing group participants; review materials and findings from surveys and interviews; provide copy editing for planning drafts, and ensure alignment with broader institutional priorities.

Members include:

• Bryan Brayboy, dean, Carlos Montezuma Professor of Education and Social Policy
• Coleen Coleman, associate dean
• Cynthia Coburn, professor of human development and social policy
• Jeanne Hughes, assistant dean for research
• Melissa Weidman, director of human resources
• Mary Goodman, director of development, alumni relations and development

Writing Groups

At the stage of priority development, small writing groups comprising relevant constituencies will inform detailed action planning to achieve stated priorities.

Questions and Comments

Have a question or a comment? Please contact Marketing and Communications Director David Brazy and david.brazy@northwestern.edu.