Dr. Alex Enyedi
Welcome back. I am pleased to share the good news that the Strategic Planning Implementation teams have made significant progress toward strengthening the value, impact, and relevance of the College of Arts and Sciences. As we continue to move forward we will keep you informed via the CAS News blog. In addition to announcements of successes, please refer to the blog to review the Strategic Map—a visual representation of the plan, and a roster of the Strategic Plan Implementation Team Coordinators.
As you may recall, the Strategic Plan includes five key priorities:
A: Promote the unique value of the College of Arts and Sciences
B: Provide a globally engaged, diverse liberal arts learning experience
C: Increase the impact of discovery and dissemination
D: Foster an innovative, diverse, and engaged CAS community
E: Strengthen resource acquisition and management
Below you will find some examples of noteworthy achievements to date, just a hint of what I will discuss at the State of the College Address on September 28. In the meantime, if you should you have questions about implementation or would like to find a way to participate more directly, please do not hesitate to contact the College’s Lead Implementation Coordinator, Dr. Cathryn Bailey. Thank you for your energy, dedication, and all that you do to create and sustain the excellence of the College.
Sincerely,
Alex Enyedi
Some Examples of Strategic Plan Accomplishments (as of 9/05/2012)
A: Promote the unique value of the College
- Overhaul of web presence, including the enhancement and delivery of news and information
- Hiring of a dynamic new Director in the newly defined CAS Marketing and Communications Office
B: Provide a globally engaged, diverse liberal arts learning experience
- Significant enhancement of cooperation between the College and the Haenicke Institute, especially with the development and monitoring of study abroad programs
- Reestablishment and invigoration of the Arts and Sciences International Committee
- Establishment of the College’s International Scholarship Program (20 awarded in 2012-13; at least 20 to be awarded in 2013-14)
- Continuing successful implementation of DegreeWorks across the College by the Office of Undergraduate Advising
- Completion of survey to map current general education courses to more clearly reflect particular themes and values
C: Increase the impact of discovery and dissemination
- Initiated the creation and oversaw the maintenance of a comprehensive, searchable CAS faculty Proposals and Awards database
- Provided seven $1,000 CAS 2012-13 Research and Development awards
- Increased financial support to Humanities Center, including a Graduate Assistant position and funding for working groups
Created CAS Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities (RSCA) Committee - Review and data compilation on the status of ScholarWorks and examined best practices
- Awarded $40,000 in ASTRA Awards, including an individual award amount limit increase to $1,000
D: Foster an innovative, diverse, and engaged CAS community
- Strengthening of the Office of Undergraduate Advising’s use of social media efforts by the hiring of a qualified new intern
- Enhanced outreach to CAS alumni who are providing testimonials about how CAS liberal arts training laid a foundation for law and medical school
- Development and successful administration of the College’s Space Improvement Initiative, utilizing approximately $16,000 for nine departments
E: Strengthen resource acquisition and management
- Implementation of a full-service college technology office that offers support for faculty, staff, and department-run computer labs
- Designation and planning of space for the future location of our expanded, comprehensive Tech Support Center
- Acquisition and repurposing of significant quantities of surplus WMU computer lab equipment, including more than 60 computers
- Convening of monthly CAS office coordinator meetings to review and discuss university/college procedures
- Systematic review of departmental financial structures with individual department office coordinators
- Established mentoring relationships to enhance the professional development of CAS staff
- Developed processes to more meaningfully and effectively acknowledge donors to the College
