Update | Jan. 9, 2026: Please note that the venue for the Setting the Course launch event is now L.R. Wilson Hall.
McMaster will take its next major step toward shaping the university’s future on Jan. 14, when the campus community is invited to come together for Setting the Course: Kickoff to 2031, the launch event for McMaster’s strategic planning consultations.
Hosted by President Susan Tighe, the event will introduce the process that will guide the development of McMaster’s next strategic plan, a process grounded in community insight and a clear vision for the years ahead.
“We want this plan to reflect the voices, perspectives and aspirations of our entire community,” says Tighe. “The ideas we gather over the coming months will help us set a clear course for McMaster’s next chapter, one that builds on our strengths, sets the stage for targeted excellence and positions us to make an even greater impact.”
The launch will include short remarks, audience engagement and a panel discussion exploring what McMaster’s future could look like and what priorities should guide the next five years.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in activities before and after the program, including a vision wall.
The process is designed to be open and community-driven, says DeGroote School of Business professor Susan McCracken, the area chair of Accounting and Financial Management Services and co-chair of the university’s Strategic Planning Team.
“This is an opportunity for all of us — faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university — to help shape McMaster’s direction,” McCracken says.
“Our goal is to make it easy for people to participate, to share what matters most to them and to see their input reflected as the plan develops.”
Student participation will be essential throughout the process, McMaster Students Union (MSU) President Piper Plavins says.
“Students are at the heart of this university, and our experiences inside and outside the classroom should help shape McMaster’s direction,” says Plavins.
“This is a chance for students to speak up about what supports their success and what kind of McMaster we want to help build for the future.”
Community members are encouraged to register early for the launch, which has been moved to L.R. Wilson Hall to welcome more people. Doors open at 12:45 p.m. for the event, which begins at 1 p.m.
It will also be live-streamed for those who prefer to join online.
The event will be followed by an open drop-in session from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Registration is not required for the drop-in session, which will offer faculty, staff and students another chance to learn about the process, speak with senior leaders and members of the Strategic Planning Team, as well as share ideas in a more informal environment.
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.