Managing Institutional Change Through Participatory Planning: Creating the College of Integrated Health Sciences at the University at Albany, State University of New York

Many universities are navigating changes to strengthen their long-term sustainability. Although challenges and negative consequences of institutional change are often most visible, successful efforts can provide valuable lessons. In 2024, the University at Albany launched the College of Integrated Health Sciences after a yearlong, participatory planning process. The new college integrates the university’s long-standing public health programs and academic departments, 40-year partnership with the New York State Department of Health, 60-year-old School of Social Welfare, and newly developed nursing programs. A change consultant guided the planning process, and 3 working groups developed recommendations for the college’s name, organizational structure, and vision, mission, and value statements. The planning process involved multiple strategies to identify student, faculty, and staff priorities and encourage active participation: 5 surveys (626 responses), 3 full-day retreats, 7 consultant-led listening sessions, and 41 working group meetings. Students, faculty, and staff (n = 168) voted on the final recommendations. Most participants reported satisfaction with the mission (75%), vision (79%), and value (85%) statements; 80% reported satisfaction (44%) or neutrality (36%) with the proposed organizational structure. Although the working groups presented 3 name options reflecting constituent priorities, voting did not reveal consensus. Deans of the public health and social work units ultimately recommended a name for the college using phrasing that resonated with the vision, mission, and value statements. The university provost and president adopted all recommendations. This case study demonstrates that effectively navigating change requires transparent, participatory planning and frequent 2-way communication, which will facilitate successful outcomes and establish a strong foundation for the institution’s future.