{"id":153,"date":"2026-01-09T08:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/?page_id=153"},"modified":"2026-01-09T08:18:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:18:03","slug":"listening-session","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/listening-session\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening Session Summary Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-umflint-templates umflint-template-default_no_jumbotron\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);min-height:50px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-12 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-1024x800.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-1024x800.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-768x600.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-1536x1200.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/120\/files\/2025\/10\/Blue.UCEN_-2048x1600.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-secondary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-667e76808163aa4602de320112f5e2ba\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(31.152px, 1.947rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.863), 55px);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;text-transform:uppercase\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Listening Session Summary Notes<\/mark><\/h1>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-3\">\n\t\t\t\n<button class=\"btn btn-section w-100 px-0 wp-menu-block-toggle mobile-nav-toggle d-none\" data-target=\"wp-menu-block-side-menu\">\n          <span class=\"h-100 mr-3 mt-1 d-block mobile-nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t  <\/span>\n          Strategic Planning<\/button><nav id=\"wp-menu-block-side-menu\" class=\"wp-menu-block sidebar-nav wp-block-umflint-menu-block\"><div class=\"nav-sidebar-title-container\">\n                <div class=\"nav-sidebar-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/\">Strategic Planning<\/a><\/div>\n                <a class=\"nav-sidebar-title-close\" href=\"#\" data-target=\"side-menu\" aria-label=\"Close\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"50\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                        <title>close<\/title><path d=\"M19,6.41L17.59,5L12,10.59L6.41,5L5,6.41L10.59,12L5,17.59L6.41,19L12,13.41L17.59,19L19,17.59L13.41,12L19,6.41Z\" \/>\n                    <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <\/div><ul id=\"menu-side-menu\" class=\"menu nav nav-sidebar flex-column\"><li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-59\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-59 nav-item\"><a title=\"Engagement Opportunities\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/engagement-opportunities\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-75\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-75 nav-item\"><a title=\"Data and Input\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/data-and-input\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Data and Input<\/a>\n<ul class=\"subitems-menu\" >\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-151\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-151 nav-item\"><a title=\"Mission, Vision and Values Survey Summary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/data-and-input\/mission-vision\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Mission, Vision and Values Survey Summary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-194\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-194 nav-item\"><a title=\"Strategic Plan Components\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/components\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Strategic Plan Components<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-40\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-40 nav-item\"><a title=\"Project Charter\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/project-charter\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Project Charter<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-18\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-18 nav-item\"><a title=\"Committee\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/committees\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Committee<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-9\">\n\t\t\t\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb mb-3\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\">Strategic Planning<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\">Listening Session Summary Notes<\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83d8bddfbdb311421d9d21650a51c1a9\">Listening Session Summary Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>December 16, 2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>December 17, 2025&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6ce00e42e4fd67b31ec67a639393994c\">Listening Session Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>30 participants attended the virtual session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>11 participants attended the in-person session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feedback emphasized process design, communication and inclusive engagement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-a158896ccf2b9915d6c91e67398bb238\"><strong>1. Process Design and Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-2\">Participants emphasized that the strategic planning process should be iterative, transparent and inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multiple rounds of feedback are needed, including after draft recommendations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clear feedback loops: what we heard and how it will be used<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faculty and staff should be involved early in the process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The process should remain open-minded and flexible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Goal is alignment across campus, described as \u201crowing in the right direction\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use an established change framework (for example, a staged change process) to help structure the planning process, support transparency and maintain momentum over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-d8114b91e0699fbf82cffdb4e60a6b04\"><strong>2. Unit Level and Small Group Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-2\">Support for unit level and small group conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unit conversations are preferred by many participants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some unit discussions should occur without leadership present<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unit discussions allow reflection and dialogue rather than on the spot responses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interdisciplinary group discussions are also valued.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek feedback from student affairs staff who have their \u201cfeet on the ground\u201d with students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-fec76d1fd39b9bbfaddb11866072b2fd\"><strong>3. Communication, Transparency and Trust<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-2\">Clear communication is essential to trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regular updates throughout the process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid long gaps that lead to rumors and anxiety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clear progression from suggestions to decisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suggested a progress bar on the website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feedback should be consolidated into themes and visibly used<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faculty, staff and student input is equally valued<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1edd6776548202ab9ff7525325f173c6\"><strong>4. Advance Preparation for Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Share questions and format of sessions in advance of the collaborative workgroup session. This will supports deeper reflection and more meaningful discussion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-7879fdbc5400e9857b74b95674e123af\"><strong>5. External Stakeholder Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-2\">External voices are critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Employers should be asked about expectations for graduates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents, caregivers and students should be asked why they chose UM-Flint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Separate winter semester brainstorm with external stakeholders recommended<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engage Flint community members in accessible locations (e.g., libraries, hair salons, grocery stores)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-6b75ab813d8730e01c64574c2bed79dc\"><strong>6. Outreach and Engagement Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marketing and Communications should create engagement materials for external stakeholders.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outreach to external stakeholders should occur through existing relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-2\">Suggested UM-Flint stakeholders to contact to obtain a list of external stakeholders:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Suzanne Knight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gary Ashley<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John Girdwood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Martez Warren<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Todd Womack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sara Barton<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Antonio Riggs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rob McCullough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paula Nas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nic Custer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phillip Thompson<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Callum Carr<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ellen Echols<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Megan Babcock<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-a8ef811806d7fd09da5a8271da177ae6\"><strong>7. Institutional Identity and Alignment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emphasize UM-Flint as a campus of opportunity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engage Ann Arbor and Dearborn leadership and regents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clarify UM-Flint\u2019s role within the three-campus system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-3df9900532033be9ed858de73817e2c5\"><strong>8. Data and Environmental Scan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Include Inclusive History Project research results<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7f4169a5df9618188ce788b802c38e9d\">Listening Session Action Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This summary will be shared with the Steering Committee via email for review. On January 8, the committee will meet to discuss the feedback and integrate as many of these ideas as possible into the planning process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1gBC5d3QImFx5HVAIOaYBxvSGkbCfk-OM\/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=115735487152947909083&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Print only Listening Session Summary Notes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/listening-session\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-153","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":160,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153\/revisions\/160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/strategic-planning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}