Missouri Online Strategic Plan

Project management theme with blurred city abstract lights background

In 2023, Missouri Online created a new strategic plan that better reflected Missouri Online’s role for online learning in the University of Missouri System (UM System) as a systemwide shared service. Missouri Online’s mission is to support the four Universities within the UM System to explore, develop, promote and deliver high-quality, student-centered digital learning experiences.

Over the strategic planning process, seven key initiatives were identified with the goal of successful achievement over the next five years (2024-2029).

Empower faculty to develop and implement new and emerging online pedagogies.

Primary goal(s): Find ways to recognize and empower faculty who are interested in innovative teaching methods.

Implementation deadline: December 1, 2023 through June 1, 2025

Status: In progress

In FY22 and FY23, three of Missouri Online’s services were optional: Program Coordination, Recruitment and Student Support and online program Marketing. The goal is to work with all four campuses to provide all services that Missouri Online offers which will better support the universities and allow Missouri Online to be a sustainable centralized service. 

Primary goal: Signed and approved Missouri Online Services memorandum of understanding from all four campuses.

Implementation deadline: July 2024

Status: Complete

Review and improve current processes for how we support potential students from initial contact through enrollment. Streamline processes to provide consistent, timely inquiry data to all partners and a learner-centered service model.

Primary goal(s): Map and plan created and approved communication plans, and data flow improvements completed. On testing, the user experience for the student is seamless and effective.

Implementation deadline: January 2027

Status: In progress

Expand the approach to reporting practices to include recommendations on the development of new programs, university online program/portfolio health and establishing a shared understanding of program return on investment.

Primary goal(s): Deliver data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions on program opportunities and online portfolio performance.

Implementation deadline: By December 2025

Status: Scheduled to kick off January 2025

Comprehensive plan for data reporting, increase data literacy across Missouri Online.

Primary goal(s):

Year 1 (2025): Meet with each area and determine metrics per the memorandum of understanding. Determine measurable goals and create a product, process and frequency to report them with command center style dashboards.

Year 2 (2026): Continue to work with stakeholders to find and finalize key performance indicators and executive dashboards. Complete documentation and training for Missouri Online staff.

Implementation deadline: Fall 2026

Status: In progress, early pilot with Academic Technology is underway

Bring the Missouri Online values to the forefront of its culture with the goal of increasing staff retention, growing talent from within through a stronger focus on performance management and strengthening cross-team relationships.

Primary goal(s): Lower turnover, create robust processes for recruitment, onboarding and performance management. 

Implementation deadline: By December 2025

Status: In progress

Create and implement an overarching faculty development strategy, improving and expanding current offerings to establish well-defined faculty development paths and options.

Primary goal(s): Create a comprehensive faculty development plan.

Implementation deadline: Completion by December 31, 2026

Status: Kicking off January 1, 2026