Students help shape McMaster’s next strategic plan at celebration lunch

McMaster students brought forward ideas that reflect their priorities for learning, research and future careers as part of a competition to help shape the university’s next strategic plan.

“Employability is one of the main concerns of our generation and preparing students for work through experiential learning, or learning through hands-on experiences, should be one of McMaster’s future priorities,” said fourth-year Health Sciences student Elaine Wang. “Having opportunities to do more field work and co-op placements is incredibly important.”

Wang was among a group of students recognized at a celebration lunch on March 26 for their contributions through the Strategic Plan Student Competition.

Thirty students across undergraduate and graduate programs submitted 23 proposals, each outlining a vision, mission and strategic priorities for McMaster’s future.

“This plan is being built with our community,” President Susan Tighe said to the students at the lunch. “And your contributions are helping shape where McMaster goes next.”

Turning ideas into action

Students were asked to think like institutional leaders, balancing ambition with practical, actionable ideas.

For many, the experience was an opportunity to reflect not just on McMaster’s strengths, but on the unique opportunities that exist here.

Elaine’s teammate Sophie Li, a third-year Honours Life Sciences student, said reviewing past strategic plans helped frame their thinking.

“We looked at what’s already been done and what outcomes we can actually see,” she said. “McMaster is already strong, so we asked, what can we improve, and what can we contribute?”

A focus on impact and accountability

Other students focused on how the university can better track and communicate its progress.

Rehan Abbasi, a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student, proposed an annual dashboard to highlight key metrics.

“It could track sustainability, environmental impact and technological advancement,” he said. “If people can see the progress being made, it increases engagement and helps connect ideas to real outcomes.”

PhD student Chongyang Tian, who is also studying Electrical Engineering, highlighted the importance of expanding research opportunities, particularly for undergraduates.

“At McMaster, there are a lot of energy and new ideas,” he said. “We should provide more chances for students to be involved in research and also do more to communicate what we’re doing.”

Both students said the competition encouraged them to think more broadly.

“It made me think about how McMaster can try new things and stay open to new ideas,” Abbasi said.

Using student voice to drive change

For Noor Al-Omeri, a second-year Life Sciences student, the competition was also about transparency and ensuring student perspectives are heard.

“One of the things I truly believe is important is transparency,” she said. “If I include my concerns, I’m using my voice, and that’s important to me.”

The experience reinforced her belief in taking initiative.

“This competition showed that we don’t have to wait,” she said. “We can contribute and be part of the change.”

Building what comes next

Across submissions, common themes emerged, including student well-being, experiential learning, sustainability and preparing for a rapidly changing digital world.

For Joanne Gittens, director of Institutional Research and Analysis and the Strategic Planning Team member who organized the competition, receiving the student plans added an important layer to the broader consultation process.

“These submissions help us understand not just what matters to students, but how we can move forward in a meaningful way for all members of our community,” she said.

“This is a plan built with our community and students are a central part of that,” Tighe said.

The strategic plan is expected to be finalized in June 2026.