BY VALERIE HAWLEY
JAYHAWK GLOBAL STRATEGY
BUILDING
A NEW MODEL
FOR EDUCATION
Helped launch and shape a university-wide education innovation division designed to expand online learning, workforce development, professional education, and flexible learning opportunities through integrated strategy, organizational alignment, and market-driven growth.
25+
ONLINE PROGRAMS &
CERTIFICATES LAUNCHED
$10M
DATA-DRIVEN BUDGET
PRESENTATION DEVELOPED
TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY
FUNDING APPROVAL
MULTIPLE
UNIVERSITY UNITS,
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS,
AND EXTERNAL PARTNERS
ALIGNED UNDER A SHARED
STRATEGIC VISION
THE CHALLENGE
Jayhawk Global was created to transform how the University of Kansas approached online education, workforce development, professional learning, and educational innovation.
The initiative required more than launching programs. It involved building the foundational strategy, operational structure, organizational alignment, communications framework, and market positioning for an entirely new university division operating across traditionally siloed departments and audiences.
At the same time, the organization faced evolving learner expectations, shifting workforce demands, increasing competition in online education, and the complexity of navigating change within a large university environment.
The goal was to create a scalable, integrated model that connected academic programs, professional education, student support, marketing, technology, and strategic planning into a unified learner-centered ecosystem.
STRATEGIC FOUNDATION & ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT
Development began with defining the vision, positioning, and operational structure for the new division while aligning stakeholders across academic, administrative, and university leadership teams.
This included helping shape strategic priorities, clarifying organizational direction, supporting cross-functional collaboration, and creating systems that connected long-term strategy with day-to-day execution.
Research, market trends, workforce needs, and learner behavior informed planning efforts to ensure the division was positioned to support future growth and educational innovation.
Education Innovation Ecosystem
Workforce Demand Across Kansas
Stakeholder Alignment Map
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
BUILDING INTEGRATED SYSTEMS & COMMUNICATIONS
Once the strategic framework was established, work focused on building integrated systems that connected marketing, recruitment, communications, student success, digital experiences, and program development.
This included:
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Coordinating communications across multiple units and audiences
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Supporting organizational change and culture alignment
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Developing marketing and recruitment strategies
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Creating operational workflows and strategic processes
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Aligning messaging, branding, and learner experiences across platforms
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Supporting leadership communications and strategic initiatives
The work required balancing executive-level strategy with hands-on implementation across rapidly evolving priorities.
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SCALING GROWTH & INNOVATION
As the division evolved, efforts expanded toward long-term growth, new program development, operational scalability, and audience expansion.
This included helping launch new online programs and certificates, supporting professional and continuing education growth, improving organizational coordination, and strengthening the division’s market presence.
The strategy emphasized flexibility, accessibility, innovation, and building educational opportunities that aligned with both learner needs and workforce demand.
Impact
Established strategic frameworks, integrated systems, and growth initiatives that supported expansion across online education, workforce development, and professional learning.
Strengthened cross-university collaboration while helping create more scalable, learner-centered educational experiences.
