Setting the Course: Join livestream and drop-in session as strategic planning consultations begin

Because of strong community interest, the Jan. 14 event launching McMaster’s strategic planning consultations is moving to a larger venue.

January 9, 2026

Exterior view of L.R. Wilson Hall's main doors, with text overlaid that reads "Setting the Course"
For those who are registered for the main launch event, please note that it has been moved to the larger concert hall in L.R. Wilson Hall to accommodate as many attendees as possible.

McMaster President Susan Tighe and members of the Strategic Planning Team are inviting all faculty, staff and students to take part in the launch of Setting the Course: Kickoff to 2031, which will mark the start of McMaster’s strategic planning consultations, on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Interest in the main launch event has been strong, with registration reaching capacity shortly after it was announced. To ensure everyone who wants to learn and contribute to the process can do so, the event will be livestreamed and an open drop-in session will follow, offering additional ways to participate.

For those who are registered for the main launch event, please note that it has been moved to the larger concert hall in L.R. Wilson Hall to accommodate as many attendees as possible.

The livestream will begin on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Save the link below and return to catch the launch event online.

“I’m delighted by the response and pleased we are expanding access through the livestream and drop-in session,” Tighe said. “The level of interest we’ve seen across campus shows how much our community cares about McMaster and wants to help shape our shared future.”

“I invite everyone who can’t be at the launch event in person to join us online and I hope to see as many people as possible at the session afterwards.”

The drop-in session will take place from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Registration is not required and the session will offer faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners another chance to learn about the process, speak with senior leaders and members of the Strategic Planning Team and share ideas on priorities and values in a more informal environment.

There will be refreshments, prizes, and engaging activities.

The Jan. 14 event marks the start of a months-long consultation process designed to gather broad input from across the university.

More information can be found on the Setting the Course website, as well as the survey inviting everyone to share their thoughts on what McMaster’s priorities should be for the next five years.

A woman in the foreground writes on an index card, standing in convocation hall. In the background, dozens of people are writing on papers and mingling.

Setting the Course: McMaster community weighs in on planning process

More than 1,000 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members shared their insights at the first of a series of community consultations to create the university’s next strategic plan.
Nicholas Brathwaite, wearing a black shirt, leans over a chair in a book-lined room. A small word mark near his head is shaped like a speech bubble and reads

Meet McMaster’s next Chancellor: Q& A with Nicholas Brathwaite

We talked to the philanthropist and technologist about his time as a McMaster student, his family’s commitment to education and his support for talented students and entrepreneurs.
Snow covers the bushes and branches of the big tree near the Senator statue at the corner of University Hall.

Looking back on a memorable year at McMaster: A message from President Susan Tighe

2025 was a rich and lively year in the life of McMaster, marked by progress, change, teamwork and discovery, writes President Susan Tighe.