University Strategic Plan

Strategy
Identify learning goals and outcomes for curricular and co-curricular undergraduate and graduate offerings that are grounded in the philosophy of liberal education as well as specific disciplinary standards.

Objectives:

• To involve faculty in defining learning goals and outcomes and assessment strategies
• To include among the above learning goals, definition and assessment of outcomes an array of intercultural educational experiences that result in our students acquiring the knowledge and personal and professional competencies essential to success in a diverse world
• To include among the above learning goals, definition and assessment of outcomes an array of international educational experiences that result in our students acquiring the knowledge and personal and professional competencies essential to success in a global society

Strategy
Create and implement an assessment plan that accurately measures student learning.

Objectives:

• To develop assessment methods and measures that provide evidence of student learning at multiple levels: course, program, and institution   
• To use assessment results to inform improvements in curriculum, pedagogy, instructional resources, and student services
• To routinely review the effectiveness and uses of assessment methods and measures
• To integrate data reported for purposes of external accountability (graduation rates, passage rates on licensing exams, placement rates) into the assessment of student learning

Strategy
Regularly review academic offerings for currency and relevance.

Objective:

• To determine curricular content and strategies for instruction based on the relationships among the courses of study, the currency and relevance of the curriculum, the utility of the knowledge and skills gained, and the cooperative opportunities with other agencies and educational initiatives

Strategy
Develop and maintain high standards of faculty performance for teaching, scholarship, research, and service.

Objectives:

• To inform faculty of research on teaching, learning and technological advances with potential to positively affect student learning and the delivery of instruction;
• To evaluate and recognize effective teaching and learning
• To evaluate and address equity in faculty workload
• To design professional development opportunities to facilitate teaching suited to varied learning styles and environments
• To support and foster scholarly and creative activity by faculty and students
• To support and produce faculty and student scholarship and contribute to knowledge through basic and applied research
• To use scholarship and research as a basis for organizational and educational improvements
• To value and support inclusion and cultural competency in all areas of faculty performance

Strategy
Provide a sufficient infrastructure to support quality education.

Objectives:

• To recruit, hire, and retain highly qualified faculty and staff in sufficient numbers and using methods that incorporate the best practices for institutions of higher education
• To provide resources that support active scholarship and excellent teaching and learning
• To extend and expand partnerships with stakeholders, including alumni and members of the local and regional community

Goal Two
Create a broad educational experience guided by a philosophy supporting liberal education in all academic programs.

Strategy
Integrate liberal education into all degree programs through curricular and experiential offerings that promote the acquisition of the attitudes and skills required for a life of learning in a diverse society.

Objectives:

• To demonstrate that acquisition of a breadth of knowledge and higher order skills in the exercise of intellectual inquiry are integral to all educational programs
• To graduate students who demonstrate well-developed, higher order skills, such as communication, critical thinking, self reflection, leadership, reasoning, integration of the  various modes of inquiry, intercultural competence, global awareness, and the relevance of sustainability
• To increase opportunities for students to engage in study abroad, internships, service learning, and research
• To develop deep networking between academic programs and student services

Goal Three
Contribute to the enrichment of society by building collaborations within the university as well as those among the university, its family of alumni and retirees, and external entities

Strategy
Identify internal and external communities of interests that are broad in scope and include marginalized communities.

Objectives:

• To recognize and acknowledge existing collaborations and partnerships
• To communicate and market existing collaborations and partnerships
• To create new collaborations and partnerships
• To create methods for embracing change in a broad context
• To develop new Centers of Excellence as appropriate, such as the current Annis Water Resources Institute, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, or the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. 

Strategy
Engage identified constituencies and communities to serve them in ways that advance mutual values.

Objectives:

• To create outreach programs that respond to identified community needs
• To connect students, faculty and staff with external communities
• To develop partnerships focused on shared educational, economic, and social goals
• To practice environmental scanning to understand the changing needs of constituencies and their communities

Goal Four
Promote inclusion, equity and intercultural learning in all aspects of university life

Strategy
Create a comprehensive, systemic, and measurable framework for curricular and co-curricular educational excellence that incorporates diversity at its core.

Objectives:

• To develop a common understanding of the definition and the importance of diversity
• To provide access by enrolling, supporting, retaining, and graduating all students, including economically disadvantaged students, first generation students, students of color, international students, and any other underrepresented population and by recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff who foster an intellectual, supportive, and nurturing environment for educational excellence
•  To create and provide interculturally inclusive content in the courses, programs, and experiences across all academic offerings and in the social dimensions of the campus environment
• To develop an inclusive community that promotes intercultural learning that engages all of its diversity in the service of student growth and organizational development
• To undertake initiatives in intentional ways that enhance intercultural competence, cognitive complexity and the ability to work in and bring leadership to diverse groups

Strategy
Build collaborations with West Michigan that promote inclusion, equity and the integration of diversity.

Goal Five
Create a vibrant university culture that fosters an atmosphere of inquiry and learning in all university and community settings.

Strategy
Provide undergraduate and graduate curricular and co-curricular activities that support inquiry, practice, creativity, and social responsibility.

Objectives:

• To develop programs that support learning throughout students’ experience regardless of their location
• To provide quality, accessible advising systems that focus on student learning, including the mastery of skills needed for academic success
• To value and promote a life of learning for students, faculty and staff
• To follow explicit policies to ensure ethical conduct in research, instructional activities, and intellectual property rights

Strategy
Expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research with faculty, participate in community change, and contribute to alumni development.

Goal Six
Effectively allocate financial resources to respond to change and emerging opportunities.

Strategy
Manage university resources consistent with a disciplined financial plan to ensure long- term financial viability and vitality.

Objectives:

• To establish strategic budgeting priorities 
• To enable partnerships and innovations that enhance student learning and strengthen teaching effectiveness
• To enhance affordability for students through the establishment of need-based scholarships and financial aid
• To evaluate activities, programs, and services to ensure university resources are being used effectively and efficiently
• To enhance the growth of the endowment

Strategy
Create the human resources needed for an inclusive, diverse learning environment through recruitment, hiring, retention, and professional developmental practices.  ??

Strategy
Develop a master plan for current and future facilities and maintenance.

Strategy
Build an infrastructure that supports safety and security for the university community.

Strategy
To explore and engage in sustainable practices that ensure responsible stewardship of the environment, promote social equity, and encourage sustainable economic development.

Goal Seven
Effectively present the university’s image and advance its reputation.

Strategy
Publicly share the achievement of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Objectives

• To highlight student, faculty, staff, and alumni success stories to illustrate the key university marketing messages in engaging and active ways
• To create a central on-line resource to assemble the scholarship and creative activities of faculty, staff, and students
• To develop and distribute marketing materials to ensure consistency of messages both internally and externally in a manner that demonstrates the excellence of the university’s varied efforts
• To create a presence at national and international levels by showcasing the university’s centers of excellence and by assisting faculty, staff, and students to present at national and international conferences
• To provide opportunities for groups to experience Grand Valley via such initiatives as conferences, faculty and student exchanges, and special events

Goal Eight
Develop and expand relationships with current and new constituencies that lead to involvement, participation and financial resources.

Strategy
Broaden the university’s base of financial support.

Objectives

• To aggressively pursue all forms of financial resources including state funding and private support
• To expand the number and depth of public/private partnerships
• To continue pursuit of government grants, contracts for faculty and academic projects and other University projects and endeavors