The David Eccles School of Business has developed a strategic plan to chart our course for success and shape our future.
Vision
To be the business school of the Mountain West and a national leader. We will empower every student to reach their peak, and we will reach beyond campus to help business, people, and the economy thrive.
Strategic Plan
Strategy Leadership
- Kurt Dirks, Dean, Professor of Leadership
- Katie Hoffman Abby, Vice President, U Career Success; Assistant Dean, David Eccles School of Business
- Katie Amundsen, Assistant Dean, Alumni Relations and Development
- Allison Boxer, Asst. Professor, Strategic Advisor to the Dean;Â James Lee Sorenson Presidential Endowed Chair in Applied Research
- Jennifer Brown, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty; Professor, Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy; H. Brent Beesley Endowed Professor
- Michael Lewis, Assistant Dean, Finance and Operations; Professor (Lecturer), School of Accounting
- Catherine Smith, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
- Stephen Stubben, Senior Associate Dean, Research; Professor, School of Accounting; Francis Armstrong Madsen Endowed Professor
- Jess Taverna, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
- Brad Vierig, Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Executive Education
Planning Process
Objectives

Objectives
Planning Process

Stakeholder Alignment, Market Research, and Analysis
- Current State Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Expert Interviews
- Market Research
- Identify Criteria
Strategy Design and Development
- Strategy Component Formulation
- Alignment Testing
- Define Strategic Components
- Finalize Strategic Plan
Implementation and Planning
- Set Success Metrics
- Prioritize Initiatives
- Develop Implementation Framework
- Stakeholder Feedback
- Phase Initiatives
Research Overview
Comprehensive internal and external research to inform strategic decision making in the planning phase.
Interviews Completed
- University Leadership
- Business School Leadership
- External Funders
- External Experts
Undergraduate Student Survey
Feedback was gathered from in-state, out-of-state, and international students across all grades and majors.
External Research
Comprehensive research of comparable and aspirational universities across key factors, programs, rankings, and more to better understand best-in-class practices and opportunities for improvement.
Focus Groups & Meetings
Students
- Undergraduate Student Representatives
- EMBA
- MBA
- PMBA
- OMBA
- Specialty Graduate Programs
Faculty and Staff
- Centers and Institutes Meeting
- Faculty Meeting
- Staff Meeting
- Department Chairs Meeting
Alumni and Donors
- Eccles Advisory Board
- DEAN Board
- Small Group Dinners
- One-on-One Meetings
Strategic Planning Roadmap
Charter
Development
Prioritization
and Integration
- Define focus area
- Articulate value proposition of focus area
- Highlight overarching objectives
- List potential initiatives for impact
- Level up charters to an overarching strategy
- Align on milestones, metrics, and outcomes
- Determine areas of integration across the school
- Prioritization of overlapping elements
Implementation
Strategy/Planning
Implementation
Execution (by Charter)
- Framework for execution of overarching strategy
- Core actions, steps, and processes that will drive implementation efforts
- Identify potential risks and mitigations
- Develop implementation considerations
- Charter owners populate each charter framework
- Develop detailed operational plans
- Timeline and roadmaps
- Define roles and responsibilities (task force, cross-function)
Charter
Development
- Define focus area
- Articulate value proposition of focus area
- Highlight overarching objectives
- List potential initiatives for impact
Prioritization
and Integration
- Level up charters to an overarching strategy
- Align on milestones, metrics, and outcomes
- Determine areas of integration across the school
- Prioritization of overlapping elements
Implementation
Strategy/Planning
- Framework for execution of overarching strategy
- Core actions, steps, and processes that will drive implementation efforts
- Identify potential risks and mitigations
- Develop implementation considerations
Implementation
Execution (by Charter)
- Charter owners populate each charter framework
- Develop detailed operational plans
- Timeline and roadmaps
- Define roles and responsibilities (task force, cross-function)