Executive Summary of Strategic Plan: Version 8

 

Executive Summary of Strategic Goals

 

Primary Strategic Mission: Over the next five years, UWG seeks to be recognized as a distinctive member of the top tier of comprehensive universities in the USG and a first-choice university for an increasing number of constituents by achieving the following goals.

1.      Reaffirming and Improving Quality Academic Programming from the Bachelor’s to the Doctorate with a focus on liberal arts, experiential learning, and professional competencies.

a.         Undergraduate Academic Programming that blends liberal arts, experiential learning, and professional competencies to prepare students for civic engagement and professions or careers in the 21st century.

 

                                                   i.      The Core Curriculum will be reformed to emphasize liberal arts and professional competency learning outcomes necessary for civic engagement and professions/careers in the 21st century.

                                                 ii.      Every student will complete at least one course rich in new media delivery.

                                                iii.      Each college unit (Arts & Sciences, Business, Education) will offer curricular that fosters American and global cultural literacy.

                                               iv.      Each degree program will articulate professional competency learning outcomes.

                                                 v.      Every degree program will offer a program of study that prepares students for careers in their chosen field.

                                               vi.      Undergraduate participation in study abroad will be increased by n% a year.

 

b.      Undergraduate Co-curricular Programming focused on integration, an integration that connects together as a class (e.g. first year) and that connects classroom learning with real-world contexts through academic and professional experiential activities.

                                                   i.      A comprehensive advising program will promote and facilitate the integration of students’ coursework, career readiness opportunities, and extracurricular activities from freshman year to graduation.

                                                 ii.      Bridge programming that addresses societal and professional issues will link students by class level and by topic. So, for example, the first year might focus on civility, the second on civic engagement, the third on ethics, and the last year on professionalism as informed the previous three.

                                                iii.      Students will participate in experiential learning experiences related to their academic course of study.  Opportunities include, but are not limited to practica, internships, co-ops, service-learning experiences, applied research projects, creative performances, and study abroad experiences.

 

c.       Graduate Programs that are grounded on and extend the integrative philosophy of the University’s undergraduate programming.

                                                   i.      All graduate programs will blend liberal arts fundamentals, disciplinary theory, and practical application.

                                                 ii.      Every graduate program will maintain a professional advising or mentoring structure.

                                                iii.      Where appropriate, graduate students should interact with undergraduates in one or more of the following ways: leading a seminar, workshop, or undergraduate research conference; serving as mentor for an internship, co-op position, or service-learning activity; or by serving as a lab or teaching assistant.

 

d.  Educator Preparation Programs that honor and build upon the history of West Georgia as a significant provider of teachers for the state.

                                                               i.      Teacher preparation programs will develop and adopt relevant curricula that strengthen teacher quality and impact K-12 student learning outcomes.

                                                             ii.      Education leadership programs will strive to develop school leaders with performance-based skills to continuously improve K-12 schools.

                                                            iii.      The University will increase its connections to and support of local public and DTAE schools by appointing liaisons and joint commissions.

                                                           iv.      The University will provide leadership in Early College and Gateway to College initiatives.

                                                             v.      The University will articulate with IB, AP, and other early college credit programs.

 

  1. Creating Continuous Improvements in Campus Climate and Culture

 

    1. Safe Environment – The University will remain steadfastly committed to the maintaining a safe campus for people and ideas.
    2. Communication – Clear communication, honest dialogue, and open inquiry are the heart of academia.
    3. Support Services – Strong and responsive infrastructures as the basis of campus cultural improvement.
    4. Reward Structures – Positive reinforcement to promote high quality performance.
    5. Competitive Compensation Packages – Recruitment and retention of high quality university community members.
    6. Student Life – Evening and weekend programming that not only provides the residential students some diversion but that attracts other students to stay on campus.

 

 

 

  1. Managing Resources for Efficiency, Functionality, and Aesthetics

 

    1. Enrollment Management for greater prediction and control of student populations relative to campus resources
    2. Off-Campus and Distance Education
    3. Long-term Facilities Planning aligned with strategic plan, academic plan, enrollment predictions and campus architectural style
    4. Employing “Back-Office” Efficiencies to provide greater customer service and perhaps freeing up recourses
    5. Strategic Budgeting where possible to anticipate costs of library, ITS, and other typically year-end funded areas.
    6. Organizational Assessment – Reorganization Efforts to increase functionality, eliminate redundancy and review the outcomes of the organization
    7. Customer Service Improvements

 

 

 

  1. Enhancing Efforts of External Support and Services
    1. Increased targeted research dollars – research projects should be pursued that match the mission of the University and not just for the sake of dollars;
    2. Fund Raising – continue to improve.
    3. Capital Campaign
    4. Alumni Development
    5. Renewed Effort of Creating Continuing Education Programs, especially those like ICAPP.