This week, Temple will launch a new effort to develop a comprehensive vision for the university driven by input from members of the Temple community.

The initiative, which will be known as Visualize Temple, is one of Neil D. Theobald's top priorities as he enters his fifth month as Temple president.

"This is an opportunity for us to collectively imagine the best of what Temple can become, and to take the first steps toward realizing that future together," said Theobald.

The president explained that with the successful completion of many of the Temple 20/20 initiatives, the time is right to build the next vision for the university future. He stressed that the end result will be much more than a map of future projects.

"Together we can make a bold statement about where Temple is today and where we should be going in the future," he said. "That message is one that will be heard across the city of Philadelphia, throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond."

The university has engaged with SmithGroupJJR, a nationally recognized architecture, engineering and planning firm, to help guide the process. Representatives of the firm are at Temple this week to tour the Main, Ambler, Center City and Health Sciences campuses; meet with faculty, staff and student groups; and conduct the first of a continuing series of focus groups with university representatives.

Key to the effort will be the use of an online community engagement platform known as Mindmixer that will allow faculty, staff, students and alumni to stay involved with the planning process throughout the spring and summer. The system prompts users to provide their perspectives on the university's future vision, strengths, physical assets and desirable campus elements.

"Mindmixer's site will encourage members of the Temple community to share their dreams, concerns and hopes for Temple's tomorrow," said Theobald. "It will be a great way to remain engaged over spring and summer months."

More information on how to engage with the Mindmixer online platform will be available in the days ahead.

Brainstorming on Temple’s future has already begun. Recently, students and alumni put forth their ideas for what the university can become as part of activities at Spring Fling and Alumni Weekend. Participants were prompted to imagine what they’d like to see on campus and to scrawl or sketch their ideas on a blackboard. Photos of the results were posted to Instagram using the hashtag #VisualizeTemple.