The School of Communications (SoC) was founded in 1983 and is the
only School within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In 2017,
the School was reorganized, with programs in Film/Video Production,
Photography, and Theatre (and the associated faculty) joining other
units. In its new configuration, the SoC offers undergraduate programs
in Advertising and Public Relations, Communication Studies, Health
Communication, and Multimedia Journalism, as well as an M.S. in
Communication. Since the School's reorganization took place in the
middle of a strategic planning cycle, the current strategic plan
reflects revisions made in 2018 by the remaining SoC faculty. A number
of objectives originally listed in the 2016-2021 strategic plan have
been archived and are no longer considered strategic priorities. Other
objectives have been modified, and several new objectives have been added.
Mission
Through the integration of liberal and professional education, the
School of Communications educates students to possess essential
communication skills and to be critical, self-reflective communication
professionals and contributing members of society.
Vision
The School of Communications (SoC) will be known for its rigorous
programs, culture of inquiry and achievement, innovative pedagogical
practices, and graduates who are leaders in their chosen fields. The
SoC will enhance educational quality by:
Attracting and retaining diverse, exceptional, and highly
qualified faculty, staff, and students.
Increasing interdisciplinary collaboration in students' work, as
well as between faculty in SoC majors and with other units in the university.
Infusing the curriculum and unit activities with international
and intercultural perspectives.
Providing state-of-the-art facilities to help prepare students
for practice in rapidly changing communications fields.
Engaging current and emerging communication technologies and
enhancing students' critical competence in their use.
Value Statement
Integration: The SoC is founded upon a principle of the
integration of liberal and professional education, and of theory and
practice. The SoC prepares graduates to be intellectually aware and
professionally prepared.
Interdisciplinarity: Communications is a multidisciplinary
and interdisciplinary field of inquiry and professional practice.
Involvement: The SoC values maintaining a strong presence in
the General Education program in order to provide a strong
communications skill set to all GVSU students.
Individualized Instruction: SoC faculty recognize that
personal instruction and interaction, individual attention to each
student, and smaller class sizes are essential for effective learning.
Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives
Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.