University President Seeks a Climate Study that is Beyond Performative
One that will make a Difference
Research and Assessment
Core Services & Impact
01
Research and Assessment
Using the Lived Experience Diagnostics Methodology™ and validated survey instruments, we co-designed a campus-wide call-to-action campaign applying a proprietary communications process to drive exceptional participation, achieving response rates of 40–60% across students, faculty, and staff - well above industry norms.
02
Analysis
These data - integrated with qualitative insights from listening sessions - were analyzed to produce four high-impact reports that delivered clear, transparent, and actionable findings for the campus community. Widely respected by faculty, our data products were recognized as credible research grounded in rigorous social-scientific methods across every phase of the study.
03
Leadership Development and Community Engagement
At the conclusion of data collection, we partnered with the campus to host a full-day Learning and Accountability Forum where findings are shared and interpreted with the community. More than 100 students, faculty, and staff voluntarily participated in collaborative dialogue to build shared understanding and accountability for action.
04
Strategic Planning and Implementation
Engaged in coaching sessions with every local strategic plan design team, helping them to stand up seven evidence-based strategy and accountability approaches grounded in their unit’s demographic and organizational climate and culture data.
Strategic Situation
When a series of high-profile flashpoints occurred, a mid-sized, west coast university had to face its past: widely criticized and unused climate and inclusion survey projects done by outside consultants, plus its apparent inability to launch a high-impact strategy.
This time, the president turned to CSLSI to conduct respected, effective research with actionable recommendations, provide cutting-edge tools, and guide them in accelerating their change journey.
CSLSI Engagement
In an effort to prime institutional leadership to develop a high-impact strategic plan, the Vice President led a five-person design team in the National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy (NIXLA), our five-week leadership and organizational transformation program. The team worked with NIXLA coaches to build a foundation for their plan.
Following this successful experience, Dr. Williams was invited to their rural campus to engage in a three-day residency experience. There, Dr. Williams delivered keynotes and met with more than 1,000 campus community members, after which the president personally asked CSLSI to partner in several areas.
Climate Study
Conducting a best-in-class organizational climate assessment to better understand the lived experience of:
Students
Faculty
Staff
We initiated research by fielding a survey, which was powerfully supported across campus.
Communications
The president was clear from the start that he wanted more than data - he wanted impact. To create impact, one must understand organizational change management.
One way we helped drive this goal was to implement a series of Learning and Accountability Forums at every stage of the engagement.
These events communicated and interpreted subsequent research findings across campus, presenting as a partner and creating a shared understanding and commitment to the issues.
Listening Sessions
Small groups focused by affinity identity factors were tapped for:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Potential changes for the university
Empowering
Helping leaders and faculty to understand how to engage and prioritize these topics in their work as students, faculty, and staff.
Strategic Plans
Standing up seven “local” plans in their schools/colleges that would use the data as a baseline and actively align to the overall institutional plan.
Strategy & Infrastructure Support
Accelerate the university towards a successful accreditation and status as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI).
