College of Letters and Science

To re-evaluate the direction of the college and to chart the mission for the coming years, the College of Letters and Science engaged in self-study and strategic planning activities in the latter part of the year and into the summer.

Dean Koker appointed a steering committee and charged them with identifying emerging priorities. An outside consultant was hired to guide the process, and a day in August was set aside for planning activities and for gathering broad input from faculty and staff across the college. Approximately 65 members of the college participated in the day of planning. 

The following six initial priories were identified through the day-long discussions:    

• Maintain and enhance our community engagement.

• Develop the student learning experience through refining mentoring, advising and technology.

• Enhance interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Provide resources to enhance the teaching experience from the arrival of new faculty through tenure.

• Develop the COLS strategic communications plan to provide recognition of the depth and breadth of talent within the college and to promote the value of the liberal arts.

• Manage sustainable change precipitated by urgent priorities.

Subcommittees then were formed for each of these emerging priorities. The committee members since have been meeting regularly to fine tune and further address the intended goals and to develop action plans. While these priorities have been less formally in place for some time, by stating them more purposely, by making them more intentional and college-wide, and by planning more specifically, the college will bring a renewed strategy to its mission as it moves forward. A written statement of the complete strategic plan will be available by spring 2010.

As the committees’ work is still in the planning stages, final priorities and strategic actions are not yet available. Next year’s report will fully address each of them.

Click here to read last year's report.