2023-25

GVSU is a member of The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE).  This long-term project at the Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, led by R. Todd Benson, focuses on faculty.  As part of the collaboration, during the Winter semester 2024, faculty were asked to participate in COACHE’s Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey. 

COACHE provided GVSU diagnostic reports and regular consultations with the COACHE team on how to make meaning and act from the data.  During the Fall 2024 semester, GVSU faculty had several discussions to review the findings and consider next steps.  Discussions were hosted by the COACHE Steering Committee and also within the University Academic Senate.  University senior leaders also reflected on the findings during their meetings.  After a planning process during the Winter 2025 semester, facilitated conversations between faculty and administrators were held in May 2025.

COACHE at GVSU

Starting Summer 2025

Following up on one of the recommendations in the report, the COACHE steering committee has been refashioned as a broader Shared Leadership Steering Committee (SLSC).  The SLSC will provide leadership to act on our commitments to shared leadership, with representation from as many impacted constituencies as possible, promoting a culture of effective shared governance and shared leadership among faculty, staff, and administration to actively support our mission. The Steering Committee will be in place from July 2025 through April 2026.

Key Action Areas & Deliverables for the SLSC:

• Disseminate Workshop Findings: By September 30, 2025, present and distribute comprehensive findings from the May 2025 Shared Governance Workshops to all relevant stakeholders across the university through multiple communication channels (e.g., dedicated website section, email summaries, departmental presentations).

• Develop and Initiate Actionable Follow-Up: By October 31, 2025, design and launch follow-up workshops and establish concrete action plans based on the outcomes of the May 2025 Shared Engagement Workshops and the twin reports from faculty governance on shared governance. This includes identifying specific next steps and assigning responsibilities for progress monitoring.

• Establish and Oversee Working Teams: Immediately establish and actively oversee dedicated working teams for all identified action items related to shared leadership and shared governance. Ensure each team has clear objectives, timelines, and assigned leadership.

• Monitor and Report Team Progress: Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all working teams by November 30, 2025, and provide bi-monthly progress reports on developments and achievements to the university community through established communication channels.

• Publish Comprehensive Progress Report: By January 31, 2026, publish a public report detailing a summary of key events, actions, and achieved outcomes during the 2023-2025 period, beginning with the decision to administer the COACHE survey. This report will highlight the impact of the committee's work.

• Formulate Future Recommendations: By March 31, 2026, develop and present concrete recommendations for further action to implement and sustain shared leadership and governance initiatives throughout the 2026 calendar year, particularly in preparation for the second administration of the COACHE survey in Winter semester 2027 (with planning commencing in May 2026).

Contact Ed Aboufadel and Krista Benson, co-chairs of the SLSC, with any questions.