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FY2025–2029STRATEGICGOALS
UTILIZINGTHEGCSUFIVE-PILLARFRAMEWORK
GCSU PILLAR #1: INNOVATE
GOAL 1. WE WILL ADVANCE RESEARCH THROUGH GRANTMAKING, ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SYNTHESES OF THE LATEST RESEARCH.
1a. We commit to a continuous scan and review of emerging research, staying abreast of the latest findings in the field.
1b. We will conduct at least two rigorous research campaigns per year.
GOAL 2. WE WILL EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY OUR FUNDING RESOURCES.
2a. With the help of the GCSU Grants and Sponsored Projects Office, we will develop and execute a strategy for seeking external grant funding.
2b. With the help of the GCSU Advancement Office, we will actively explore new revenue sources, including fundraising and
GCSUPILLAR#2:DISTINGUISH
GOAL3.WEWILLGROWOURSTATEAND NATIONALRECOGNITIONASALEADERIN LANGUAGEANDLITERACYWORK.
3a. We will issue at least one press release per quarter highlighting our work and its impact to local, state, and/or national press outlets.
3b. We will continuously refine our website to make it a hub for Deal Center information and resources.
GOAL4.WEWILLCONTINUOUSLYDEFINE OURROLEWITHIN,ANDOUR CONTRIBUTIONSTO,THE LITERACYECOSYSTEM.
4a. We will hold annual evaluations of our programs, grants, partnerships, contractual agreements, and strategies to check for alignment with our mission and vision.
GCSU PILLAR #3: EMPOWER
GOAL 5. WE WILL DEFINE AND DELIVER STANDARD OF PRACTICE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
5a. We will provide and promote at least eight public trainings per year to provide education on the latest in language and literacy research and practice.
5b. We will deliver at least four regional or statewide publicspeaking engagements per year.
5c. We will coordinate and host the annual Governor’s Summit to strengthen the network of entities addressing literacy in Georgia.
GCSUPILLAR#4:ENGAGE
GOAL6.WEWILLGUIDEPOLICY DEVELOPMENTANDIMPLEMENTATION
6a. We will foster relationships with elected officials and government agencies through targeted communications, event invitations, and face-to-face meetings.
6b. We will publish at least one white paper/report per year to either inform, or support the implementation of public policy.
GOAL7.WEWILLDEEPENTIES
WITHGEORGIA COLLEGE&STATEUNIVERSITYTOMORE EFFECTIVELYPURSUEOURMISSION.
7a. We will establish at least five faculty affiliate relationships at GCSU.
7b. We will offer at least three graduate assistantships at GCSU.
GCSU PILLAR #5: ADVANCE
GOAL
8. WE WILL GROW OUR OUTREACH
THROUGHOUT GEORGIA.
8a. Through deliberate and productive relationships with our partners in the literacy ecosystem, we will track and demonstrate measurable impact in 100% of Georgia counties.
8b. We will foster cross-sector partnerships throughout each of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agency districts, ensuring that all such relationships contribute to the Deal Center’s mission and vision.
GOAL 9. WE WILL INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE AND PROCESSES FOR LONG-TERM EXCELLENCE.
9a. We will hold an annual staff-planning session.
9b. We will continuously revisit our internal practices and culture to ensure an effective and inclusive workplace environment.
ABOUTTHISPLAN
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center FY2025–2029 Strategic Plan is the result of several months of research, deliberation, and discussion undertaken by Deal Center staff and Governing Board in collaboration with an outside consultant (Studio Oldfields LLC), during late 2023 and early 2024. Incorporating insights om 1) one-on-one interviews with current Deal Center staff, Georgia College & State University (GCSU) staff, and members of the Deal Center Governing Board, 2) a digital survey sent to an extensive sample of Deal Center stakeholders and partners, and 3) an intensive, two-day, offsite strategic-planning retreat with Deal Center staff, nine strategic goals emerged as priorities for the organization’s next five years.
These goals, based on and compatible with GCSU’s Five Strategic Pillars amework, provide guidelines for staff and Governing Board to consider when adopting new policies, evaluating current policies, and planning for future initiatives.
Taken together, they create a rigorous and promising amework within which the Deal Center can more effectively pursue its mission—to advance research in literacy and language practices throughout Georgia to ensure that every child meets their potential—and work toward a Georgia where everyone has the tools to support children on the path to literacy.
