Strategic Plan - MSSM 2030
I am pleased to share MSSM 2030: Unleashing Possibility with you - a strategic plan that is the result of the thoughtful work of the Board of Trustees with the engagement of students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni who share a deep appreciation for and commitment to the MSSM experience. All of these voices have helped shape a plan for MSSM's future that honors the characteristics that make our School exceptional while also creating a vision for the future and challenging us to grow.
Guided by the vision for each of our five pillars, MSSM will strengthen our foundation while also taking bold steps forward to respond to our rapidly changing world. As student needs change, as demographics shift, as knowledge advances, and as economies evolve, MSSM will take the lead in re-visioning engaging and relevant learning experiences in and out of the classroom that prepare students for success in college and beyond. Equally important, we will focus on near- and long-term institutional sustainability - ensuring our ability to attract and support excellent students, invest in outstanding faculty, and renew and maintain facilities that ignite curiosity, provide challenge, and foster belonging.
I'm excited to be part of writing this next chapter of the exciting MSSM story with you!
STEM Academic Excellence
Strategic Vision: Building on its rich academic history, MSSM will develop a comprehensive and globally mindful STEM curriculum for the 21st century in Maine that cultivates students into adept problem solvers.
Strategic Initiatives:
A) Ensure our academic program equips students for success and leadership in a dynamic future, including external entities and matrices in evaluation and guidance
B) Develop a campus master plan to optimize our physical educational environment in a way that will foster creative and collaborative students
C) Invest in attracting engaged and dedicated teachers and support them in realizing their fullest potential at MSSM and beyond
D) Ensure that our academic program includes real-world, Maine-specific experiences for all students, including unique and progressive signature programs
E) Create a technology plan that maximizes technology's impact on student learning and teaching excellence
Intentional learning community
Strategic Vision: MSSM will promote an atmosphere of inquiry and engagement through thoughtful and comprehensive programming that makes full use of the educational potential of our residential campus.
Strategic Initiatives:
A) Ensure our program intentionally supports the development of durable skills
B) Redefine student success to include measures of well–being and engagement
C) Develop a schedule with dedicated time for a wide range of student activities beyond the classroom that takes full advantage of our residential status
D) Strategically engage the external community - alumni, government, higher education, business - in our programming
Access and enrollment
Strategic Vision: MSSM will implement a creative and comprehensive effort to attain optimal enrollment and facilitate student success in both its 9-12 STEM high school and its STEM summer programs.
Strategic Initiatives:
A) Grow school enrollment, balancing optimal program size and physical space considerations
B) Intentionally remove enrollment barriers, including financial and academic preparation barriers
C) Diversify geographic composition of student body to include a strategic number of out-of-state students
D) Grow a network of vibrant partnerships and collaborations reflective of changing demographics, changing education landscape, and changing economic conditions
E) Strategically grow auxiliary programming to serve more students year-round throughout the state of Maine
Leadership excellence
Strategic Vision: MSSM will foster a leadership culture that facilitates generative, forward-looking conversation and empowers the leaders necessary at all levels for MSSM to remain at the forefront of STEM education in the State of Maine and beyond.
Strategic Initiatives:
A) Build a collaborative relationship with state government
B) Ensure the boards of the School and the Foundation are incorporating best governance practices, working collaboratively toward advancing the School, and focusing on appropriate oversight
C) Develop policies and structures that attract and retain School administration, yet plan for succession
D) Create a system of intentional leadership training and opportunities for staff and students
Financial sustainability
Strategic Vision: MSSM will exhibit a culture of financial excellence by increasing revenues through multiple avenues and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of operations in order to ensure the viability of its long-term mission.
Strategic Initiatives:
A) Establish a robust culture of philanthropy that encourages all stakeholders to contribute toward a long-term, mission-sustaining operating budget that maintains MSSM's margin of excellence
B) Implement industry best practices in financial planning and oversight, including consolidating and eliminating operational inefficiencies in both the School and the Foundation
C) Work with all levels of state government - executive, legislative, operational - to secure appropriate funding and demonstrate the return on that investment
D) Grow and manage the endowment to facilitate strategic spending