Publications & Thought Leadership

With the onslaught of the global pandemic, higher education leaders have pivoted their schools to contribute to community well-being, stability and recovery. To inform this pivot, the Post-Secondary Social Impact Strategic Planning Guidelines for Presidents were synthesized to create a COVID-19 Social Impact Decision Lens for Higher Education Leaders. The intent of this COVID-19 Social Impact Decision Lens for Higher Education Leaders is to stretch assumptions and mindsets to consider how to infuse COVID decisions with a social impact lens.

The COVID-19 Social Impact Decision Lens for Higher Education Leaders covers 11 Strategic Thinking Questions such as: “What will future generations want to see from us?” and “What societal issues are being experienced by our students, faculty, staff and communities and how can we help?”. It also includes 13 Social Impact Decision Lens prompts such as: “How can this decision complement and accelerate the social, economic, cultural and sustainable development of our communities? How can we enhance the growth of green economy and social economy businesses and industries?”

Finally, it includes a section on different ways higher education institutions can use the Social Impact Decision Lens in decisions and strategic planning.

Higher education leaders are encouraged to use this COVID-19 Social Impact Decision Lens in meetings and discussions to ensure social impact is fully considered and embedded in COVID decision-making.