Strategic Plan for Graduate School
Mission
To define, support, and advance excellence in graduate education and the
scholarly and research activities associated with it. To articulate a
vision of excellence in our actions and policies that affect students,
faculty, and curriculum. To advocate for graduate education and
graduate students, faculty, and staff within the university in terms of
resources, services, and other activities that support graduate student
endeavors and goals; and encourage a diverse, inclusive, and connected
graduate community.
Vision
GVSU will become the university of choice for students seeking a strong
graduate education in a Carnegie classification "Master's
Large" institution of higher education that is grounded in a
liberal arts tradition by focusing on the promotion of distinctive and
exemplary graduate education programs, comprehensive educational
settings, service, and scholarly experiences. The Graduate School will
provide exemplary leadership and continuous support for the development
and provision of distinctive and exceptional graduate programs that
prepare GVSU graduates to be effective leaders in their field, to be
engaged lifelong learners, to succeed in attaining a professional career
or admission to further graduate or professional study, and to excel in
a global environment.
Value Statement
Critical Thought - our students actively and skillfully engage in
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating
information as it applies to their area of study as well as their
community as a whole. Personal Capacity - our graduate community
develops and sustains personal initiative and maintains a culture of
professionalism and integrity. High Impact Challenges - we offer
meaningful opportunities to learn in a holistic environment and those
involved are challenged and transformed by the environment and those
opportunities. Inclusion - we provide an environment and climate of
collegiality, collaboration, and inclusiveness for all.
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.
Objective 1.A.1
At least 95% of graduate students will participate in two or more high
impact learning experiences prior to graduation, excluding the norm of
capstone, thesis, dissertation, and oral and written exams.
Baseline
90%
Progress
2021 Status
2018 Status
Objective 1.A.3
Develop at least 5 new combined-degree programs.
Baseline
As of 2015-16 there are two combined degree programs.
Progress
2021 Status
2018 Status
Objective 1.A.4
Improve ratings by 10% for the combined excellent and very good
categories for the components of the Graduate Exit Survey related to
mentoring (Quality of academic advising and guidance) and job placement
(Assistance in finding employment).
Baseline
For the Quality of Academic Advising the excellent and very good scores
comprise 52% of the respondents. For the Assistance in finding
employment the excellent and very good scores comprise 30% of the respondents.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 1.B.1
By 2021, total graduate student enrollment should include at least 20%
from international and traditionally underrepresented populations.
Baseline
15% in Winter 2016
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 1.B.3
Increase to 12 the number of co-curricular offerings for traditional and
non-traditional students, including resources and events for diverse
populations, offered by The Graduate School and the Graduate Student
Association.
Baseline
In 2015-16 there were 9 co-curricular offerings.
Progress
2020 Status
2019 Status
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 1.C.2
66% of graduate programs will have their own graduate Registered Student
Organization (RSO).
Baseline
2015-16 - 55% of graduate programs have a RSO.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 1.D.1
Increase online presence of graduate programs so that 75% of programs
have online options for at least one of their required courses.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 1.E.1
The Graduate School will advocate in the budget process for a 2% yearly
increase in budget support for the Graduate Student Association so they
can provide more programming and professional development opportunities
for graduate students.
Baseline
$100,000 for 2015-16
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
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.
Objective 2.A.1
By 2021, 95% of all regular graduate faculty approved for engaging in
graduate education will meet standards for Full Graduate Faculty status.
Baseline
TBD by TGS
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 2.A.2
By 2021, increase attendance at graduate faculty meetings so that 50% of
regular graduate faculty attend at least one meeting per academic year.
Baseline
2015-16 is 33%.
Progress
2021 Status
2018 Status
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 2.B.1
Include diversity and inclusion criteria for new graduate faculty
applicants (e.g. a question on the Graduate Faculty application such as,
"explain your teaching approach in terms of employing inclusive principles").
Baseline
There are no current diversity or inclusion criteria for graduate faculty.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 2.C.2
Increase by 10% the number of externally funded graduate assistantship
positions.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 2.D.1
The Graduate School will work with CSCE and FTLC to offer at least one
workshop each semester on topics unique to the graduate faculty perspective.
Baseline
0 workshops in 2015-16.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 2.E.1
By 2021, use of adjunct graduate faculty as the instructor of record for
core and elective courses will be less than 40% for graduate degree programs.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 2.E.2
By 2021, 70% of the GVSU graduate program curricula will be provided by
tenured or tenure-track faculty.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
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.
Objective 3.A.1
By 2021, facilitate the creation of three new interdisciplinary programs
in graduate education.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 3.B.1
Include at least one topic on diversity and inclusion on the agenda at
all new graduate student orientations.
Baseline
1 topic for each of the Fall 2015 and Winter 2016 new graduate student orientations.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 3.B.3
Provide all Graduate Program Directors with at least one training
session per academic year focused on diversity and inclusion.
Baseline
0 sessions for 2014-15
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 3.C.2
The Graduate School will assist the Graduate Student Association in
increasing student participation so that 50% of all graduate students
are members of a graduate Registered Graduate Student Association (RSO).
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 3.E.1
By 2021, 100% of doctoral degree programs will have a graduate
assistantship stipend differential from masters degree level program.
Baseline
No differential at the current time.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 3.E.3
Increase graduate assistantship stipends by $500 by 2021.
Baseline
2015-16 stipend levels are $8000 per year.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
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.
Objective 4.A.1
Send University Communications at least 3 notifications per semester
that promote awards given to graduate students, faculty, and degree programs.
Baseline
One communication per semester.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 4.A.2
Recognize at least 3 student successes per month on The Graduate School
website by seeking out student achievements from faculty and graduate
program directors.
Baseline
2016 - one success story per month.
Progress
2019 Status
2018 Status
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 4.B.1
100% of graduate programs will use Holistic Review in Graduate
Admissions as defined by the Council of Graduate Schools
Baseline
2016 - 90% of graduate programs used Holistic Review in graduate
admission decisions.
Progress
2021 Status
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 4.C.1
By 2021, GVSU will increase the number of community partners that
provide support (e.g. financial, internships, clinical placements) to
our graduate programs and graduate students by 10%.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 4.D.1
By 2021, GVSU will increase the number of graduate programs by 20%.
Baseline
36
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 4.D.2
Work with University Communications to issue at least one news release
each quarter showcasing graduate faculty and student research and
community engagement accomplishments.
Baseline
2016 - 1-2 news releases per year.
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
Objective 4.D.3
At least 30% of the institution's graduate degrees are ranked among the
top five in their discipline within Michigan.
Baseline
23% of GVSU's graduate programs were ranked in the top 5 in the State of
Michigan based on data from the U.S. News and World Report rankings for 2015.
Progress
2019 Status
2018 Status
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 4.E.1
GVSU will increase by 5% each year the financial support for marketing
of select graduate programs.
Baseline
TBD
Progress
2021 Status
2019 Status
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