Area and Global Studies AGS, formally Area Studies AS, operates as
one unit and is currently housed in the Brooks College of
Interdisciplinary Studies. Originally, the programs were separate and
autonomous, resulting in minimal growth and relative isolation. In
2003, the university-wide reorganization brought the various Area and
Global Studies' programs together under one dean, thus making
communication and cooperation between the various programs and other
interdisciplinary units easier. More significantly, it facilitated the
allocation of critical resources to the Area and Global Studies'
budget and created a “new home” for the unit in Lake Ontario Hall with
a single office for administrative support. Faculty Governance
approved joint appointments of full-time faculty to work closely with
non-resident faculty to staff interdisciplinary programs’ courses and
to build the curriculum. Consequently, the Area and Global Studies
programs were strengthened and programming increased.
The discussion about the best organizational rubric for Area and
Global Studies dates back to 1996. By 2003, there were several
attempts at further reorganization and numerous proposals were
submitted to the dean of the Brooks College for review. In 2010,
Provost Gayle Davis issued a directive to Area and Global Studies
programs to reorganize and create a department that will attract more
students to the minors, avoid course duplication and remain cost
effective. The reorganization process resulted in three major actions.
First, Faculty Governance granted Area and Global Studies “special
unit” status as it transitions to a department. The unit required an
administrative system with a director to oversee the transition,
supervise faculty and staff, handle scheduling and chair the unit’s
personnel review process. The second act was drafting the unit’s first
strategic plan in 2011 with a mission, vision, goals and objectives
for the next five years by a team of dedicated faculty representing
all programs in Area and Global Studies. The final act occurred on
April 22, 2011 when the members of the reorganization committee and
faculty voted in support of the document and to move forward with the
implementation of the strategic plan. It is important to note that
Area and Global Studies was established as a unit in 2011, therefore
this document represents the unit’s second strategic plan.
As a unit, Area and Global Studies is ever mindful of the guiding
principles of Brooks College strategic plan, and strives to fulfill
the unit’s mission to provide information and educate students to be
well-informed global citizens who are knowledgeable, and creative in
their thinking about cultures, problems, and perspectives of specific
geographic regions, diverse groups of people and ethnicities. Area and
Global Studies is guided by their vision to be recognized nationally
and internationally as a leader in Interdisciplinary global and
regional teaching, and learning, academic excellence, faculty and
undergraduate research, and community engagement. Area and Global
Studies will continue to model inclusion and foster a nurturing and
creative environment that supports faculty, staff and students.
Mission
The mission of Area and Global Studies is to educate students to be
well-informed global citizens who are knowledgeable and creative in
their thinking about cultures, global issues and interrelated
perspectives of diverse geographic regions, and groups of people and ethnicities.
Vision
Area and Global Studies will be a premier academic department committed
to the advancement of global and regional learning, student-centered
teaching, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement.
Value Statement
As a unit, Area and Global Studies values innovative
interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research;
high-impact/experiential learning; the advancement of global learning;
nurturing a creative environment that supports faculty, staff, and
students; a multiplicity of ideas, perspectives, and inquiries;
interdisciplinary collaboration between programs within the unit, and
across campus; cultural diversity and inclusion; and engagement with
local, national, and global communities through learning, research,
shared knowledge, partnerships, and collaboration. All Area and Global
Studies values is to the benefit, professional growth and cultural
development of the students we teach.
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 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 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 D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
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 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 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 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.
