Leaders in Online and Professional Continuing Education

Academic Strategic Planning in a Constantly Changing Environment - October 2025

Faculty Member

Heather McCullough, Ph.D., Director, Learning and Technology at the University of North Carolina System Office

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

Learning, planning, implementing, and reassessing permeate all levels of professional, continuing, and online education, more so perhaps than in any other area of higher education. What are the processes for identifying opportunities, developing evidence, determining goals, defining key milestones, establishing accountability, and measuring outcomes? How do you engage others in these processes? This course explores how strategy combines analysis and action.

Topics Covered

  • Approaches to planning and innovation 
  • The impact of shared governance on decision-making
  • Moving strategically toward the future
  • The impact of data on decision-making 
  • Evaluating Success 

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize the impact of strategy, leadership, and implementation on an institution.
  • Develop strategies that reflect effective approaches to internal and external constituents in the approach of a problem or innovation.
  • Develop strategies for maintaining the role of being a learner in strategy for the future.
  • Evaluate strategies for change and innovation.

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for both those who are new to online and professional education as well as those who have significant experience (3-5 years and beyond) who want to learn more about strategic planning, innovation, and decision-making. Participants will outline a problem they are facing and develop a change template that they can immediately apply to the challenges they are facing day to day. 

Format and Schedule

This is a five-week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one-hour live class meeting via Zoom. Attendance in the live class is strongly encouraged. Schedule for live meetings will be shared soon. 


Heather McCullough

Heather McCullough

Senior Director of Academic Programs at the University of North Carolina System Office

University of North Carolina System

Heather McCullough, Ph.D., is Senior Director of Academic Programs for the University of North Carolina System, where she leads systemwide initiatives that advance undergraduate education, digital learning, and academic innovation across 17 institutions. With over two decades of experience across academic affairs, faculty development, libraries, and instructional technology, she has led large-scale efforts in online learning, open education, and digital transformation. Her work focuses on designing responsive academic programs and advancing teaching and learning in a rapidly evolving landscape, including the integration of generative AI. She has led systemwide faculty learning communities, developed shared academic programs, and guided strategic approaches to instructional continuity and teaching effectiveness. McCullough has served on the UPCEA Board of Directors, Open Education Network Steering Committee, and DOERS Collaborative Steering Committee, and as faculty for UPCEA and EDUCAUSE programs. She actively contributes to national conversations on the future of digital learning and higher education strategy.

See what past participants have to say about this course: 
 

"This course is an exceptional resource for developing the skills you need to plan and implement a project or initiative within your organization. The step-by-step process and feedback are motivating and will help you develop a template and process to use at any point in your PCOE journey." 


"The class delivers completely on its objectives."


"I truly enjoyed this course as well as the assistance and confidence it provided me in creating the policy and procedure manual for my department."


"I would highly recommend this course to ALL campus leaders, even if not necessarily engaged with PCO education."


"The readings and activities were excellent and extremely relevant to the work I am doing."

Components visible upon registration.