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.

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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.

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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

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GOAL 4: The Clarion University academic community will develop educational opportunities that address the
demands and capitalize on the resources of the region.

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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.