2026 Strategic Plan Development
Join the Strategic Planning Workshops!
We will be hosting a series of in-person regional workshops through October and November 2026. Workshops will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with light coffee/breakfast and lunch provided, at multiple sites across the state; choose the site that is most convenient for you.
- October 6, 2026 - Stratford Library Association, 2203 Main Street, Stratford, Lovell Room
- October 13, 2026 - EdAdvance, 355 Goshen Road, Litchfield, Room 121
- November 3, 2026 - CEN, 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, Room 1008/1011
- November 12, 2026 - Norwich School District, Kelly Middle School, 25 Mahan Drive, Norwich, Community Room
- November 18, 2026 - ECSU, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, Science Carter Room 301
These workshops are designed to gather member input, identify opportunities, and collaborate on a shared direction for the years ahead. This will be a deliberate process - each workshop may look slightly different based on regional needs and member feedback, and we are committed to taking the time needed to do this work thoughtfully.
These workshops are open to all CEN members.
Summary
CEN is launching the development of our next five-year Strategic Plan, and we’re inviting all members to take part in shaping the network’s future. Your insights, priorities, and regional perspectives are essential to ensuring our strategy reflects the needs of the entire community we serve.
We’ll be hosting 5 in-person Strategic Planning Workshops, designed to gather input, explore opportunities, and collaborate on a shared path forward. This process is intentionally thoughtful, we won’t rush it, and the session will be shaped by member feedback to ensure it reflects the diverse needs and perspectives across our network.
The workshop will include:
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Overview of CEN’s mission and current strategic priorities
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Interactive SWOT input exercise
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Small-group discussion focused on needs, challenges, and future opportunities
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Open dialogue on member priorities for the next five years
Prepare for The Workshop
Members can review a short set of materials in advance to ensure discussions are focused and productive. These resources also help teams participate consistently across regions.
Downloadable Pre-Workshop Toolkit
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2026 Planning Summary: What we hope to achieve and how your input informs decisions
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SWOT Exercise Overview: What to consider before the session
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Draft Agenda: High-level flow of each workshop
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Downloadable Toolkit: Coming Soon
Our Commitment to a Member-Driven Process
Developing a strategic plan is a collaborative journey. We expect the process, and even the pacing, to evolve based on what we learn along the way. Your voice is critical, and this multi-month, region-based approach ensures we hear from a broad and diverse group of members.
Together, we’ll build a thoughtful, actionable, and forward-looking 2026–2031 Strategic Plan that reflects the needs of Connecticut’s research and education community.