UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Penn State continues to navigate sustained and complex change to modernize its operations, the Office of Enterprise Change & Transformation (EC&T) has launched two new initiatives designed to enhance a University-wide culture of adaptability: the Penn State Change Framework and a Change Management Community of Practice (CoP).
“While our office leads change at an institutional level, we know that initiatives are happening across every campus and unit,” said Jeremy Bean, assistant vice president of enterprise change & transformation. “To sustain and advance the University’s mission now and in the future, we are building a culture where all of our administrators, faculty, and staff feel confident and equipped to serve as change agents."
The new framework and professional network aim to provide practical guidance and institutional alignment to bolster the success of unit-led change initiatives.
The Penn State Change Framework
For units without a dedicated internal project manager or organizational change function, the new Penn State Change Framework is available as an open resource. The framework is designed to help all faculty and staff confidently lead change initiatives, from adjusting localized workflows and team structures to rolling out new technology systems.
Rather than serving as a rigid playbook, the framework offers flexible principles, actionable tools, and strategies to help planners implement and sustain change effectively while tailoring the process to meet a project’s unique needs. A PDF overview and an implementation toolkit are available on change.PSU.edu.
Organizational Change Community of Practice
EC&T has also launched the Change and Project Management Community of Practice to connect the professionals already embedded throughout Penn State’s campuses and colleges. Because these practitioners often work directly within individual units, the CoP provides a structured forum to strengthen coordination and institutional professional development.
Through monthly meetings, presentations and peer learning, members have the opportunity to connect, build skills, exchange best practices and gain broader visibility into enterprise-wide initiatives. Participation is open to all Penn State project managers, change managers and staff executing these functions within their units.
Interested University staff can join the CoP through the SharePoint site. Additional details on University-wide initiatives can be found at change.PSU.edu.
For more information about the framework, to share details about a developing local initiative, or to receive assistance tailoring these resources to specific unit goals, contact Bobby Zaepfel, program director of organizational change, at rpz5108@psu.edu.