McMaster University will officially launch its new strategic plan, Bolder Together, at a community event on Sept. 16, marking the next step in the university’s transition from developing a shared vision to translating that vision into action.
Hosted by President and Vice-Chancellor Susan Tighe, the formal launch will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall at L.R. Wilson Hall. Seating is limited, with registration details to be shared soon.
The launch will be followed by Doors Open McMaster, a series of showcases highlighting the people, places, programs and traditions that make our university distinctive. No registration is required and more details about Open Doors McMaster will be shared at the beginning of the Fall term.
“McMaster has extraordinary strengths. Our challenge is not whether we can do more. It is whether we can focus our collective effort on what matters most,” Tighe said. “Bolder Together gives us a shared direction for doing exactly that.”
A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person, beginning at 1 p.m. on Sept. 16. Save the link below or return here to watch the event online.
Bolder Together was approved by the university’s Board of Governors in June, following more than six months of consultations that brought together more than 7,000 perspectives from the McMaster community.
The Comprehensive Report detailing how the plan was developed is available on the Office of the President website.
The five-year plan sets out four institutional priorities:
- Amplifying Our Impact
- Research That Transforms Lives
- Learner-Centred Education
- Inclusive Communities Where All Can Flourish
These priorities are supported by four foundations: Indigenous Reconciliation, Operational Excellence, Environmental Stewardship and Bold Thinking.
The launch event will open with remarks from Tighe and include a panel discussion moderated by Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Maureen MacDonald and Deputy Vice-President (Research) Martin Horn.
Panellists will explore what the plan’s priorities mean in practice and how members of the McMaster community can help advance them.
The conversation will bring together voices from across our campus and beyond, including faculty members, students, alumni, staff and community partners. Panellists will share perspectives on McMaster’s role in advancing research and innovation, creating transformative learning experiences and building inclusive communities.
The event will also feature a question-and-answer session with members of McMaster’s senior leadership team, moderated by Tighe. The discussion will provide an opportunity to hear directly from university leaders about their areas of focus as implementation of Bolder Together begins.
Share Your Thoughts
Community members are invited to share their thoughts on the plan and what it means for McMaster through a short feedback form that asks:
- What does a Bolder McMaster look like?
- How will you be bold?
Responses will be themed and shared in aggregate at the launch event.
Following the on-stage proceedings, there will be a reception in the Waller Family Lobby and courtyard.
Doors Open McMaster
From 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the university community will be invited to take part in Doors Open McMaster, an interactive celebration showcasing programs, projects, traditions, spaces and experiences across campus.
More information about Doors Open McMaster will be shared soon. This part of the celebration is open to all and does not require registration.
The event builds on the spirit of McMaster’s strategic planning process, which emphasized broad participation and community input. When the consultation process launched in January, Tighe described the goal as creating a plan that reflected “the voices, perspectives and aspirations of our entire community.”
Now, with the plan approved, the focus shifts from consultation to implementation.
An implementation team will work with faculties, departments and units across the university to translate the priorities and goals of Bolder Together into action, supported by measures that will help McMaster track progress and learn along the way.