ACADEMIC STRATEGIC PLAN 2015 - 2020 MISSION STATEMENT The Clarion University academic community promotes teaching, learning, and scholarship in a comprehensive liberal arts and professional environment in order to build the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to elevate the life satisfaction of its students. VISION STATEMENT The Clarion University academic community will intentionally develop the blend of liberal arts and professional programs and degrees, with an emphasis upon high impact practices, to become an institution of “academic best fit” for prospective students from diverse backgrounds and interests. CORE VALUES In addition to our commitment to Clarion University’s mission, vision, and core values, the academic community acknowledges that our central task is to educate students. To that end, the academic community embraces the following values: • INTEGRITY: Adherence to the highest ethical standards in all our professional obligations and personal responsibilities. • ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Commitment to a dynamic scholarly, creative, and professional intellectual community, strong academic programs, and a faculty engaged in a combination of teaching, research, and service that enrich our students’ education. • LIBERAL ARTS: Dedication to a liberal arts education that encourages intellectual curiosity; fosters the ability to think creatively and analyze, synthesize, apply and communicate knowledge; and, creates a basis for professional development in all disciplines.1 • RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT: Devotion to the intellectual, ethical and social development of each student. • DIVERSITY: Commitment to a globally-oriented and diverse academic community. • COMMUNITY: Commitment to compassion, mutual trust, respect, civility, collegial shared governance, teamwork, and the general welfare of the institution and the individual. ________________________ 1 The American Association of Colleges & Universities defines “liberal arts education” as an approach to college learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. This approach emphasizes broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g., science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth achievement in a specific field of interest. It helps students develop a sense of social responsibility; strong intellectual and practical skills that span all major fields of study, such as communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills; and, the demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. GOALS & OUTCOMES GOAL 1: The Clarion University academic community will develop innovative curricular programs and classroom experiences that embody high impact practices. • • • • Develop a multicultural competency required of all university students Globalize the curriculum Complete the infusion of LEAP (Liberal Education, America’s Promise) model into the curriculum Grow experiential learning opportunities o Grow high-need programs (e.g., STEM, health professions) that benefit the commonwealth • Develop more interdisciplinary majors and minors through interdepartmental and inter-college collaboration (including partnerships with other institutions) GOAL 2: The Clarion University academic community will assist in creating a comprehensive student experience, including co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities for personal and professional development. • Increase intentional intersection between academic curriculum and student affairs programming, to include the adoption of a co-curricular transcript • Implement a general education model that encourages academic preparation as well as life development • Broaden faculty investment in the complete student experience beyond the classroom • Coordinate with other university divisions to improve multicultural awareness of our students GOAL 3: The Clarion University academic community will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to seek career opportunities and lead successful lives from enrollment through graduation and beyond. • Incorporate a system of credentials and degrees that allows for the flexibility of students of varying ability/preparation to step-in and -out of studies Develop tracks clearly designed for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees within their discipline Adopt best technology practices for education in a rural setting Increase student retention and completion rates at all credential levels Develop/shape a comprehensive enrollment plan linked specifically to the mission of the university and regional needs/assets (going beyond numbers and addressing quality/preparation) • Enhance the student advising structure to incorporate a comprehensive approach that adopts best practices for multiple modalities of learning • • • • GOAL 4: The Clarion University academic community will develop educational opportunities that address the demands and capitalize on the resources of the region. • • • • Define the university’s future role as a leading health education provider Develop programs in eco-tourism Develop programs in the field of energy studies and sustainability Provide students the skills-based credentials (i.e., applied professional studies) desired by employers in the region • Become a cultural center for the arts and humanities in the region • Facilitate entrepreneurial growth in the region.