presi dent ’ s quarterly u pdate carlow university
• office of the president • november 2013
This is the first quarterly update from the Office of the President to promote increased communication and provide important information and updates on progress occurring across the University.
listening circles and survey results
charting a new vision and strategic plan
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distinctive characteristics, assets, and strengths; 2) What special opportunities are or may be before
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Carlow University; 3) What are the most critical issues and challenges facing Carlow University that
approved by the Board of Trustees at its May
you hope will be addressed by the new administration; and 4) What advice or suggestions do you
Board meeting.
wenty-one “Listening Circles” were held with faculty and staff, along with regular meetings with students and the Student Government Association. In addition, a survey was sent internally to the campus community asking them four questions: 1) What are Carlow University’s most
primary
goal
for
this
year
is
development of a shared vision for the University for the next five years
and a strategic plan developed this year and
have for me as the new President? I am extremely gratified by the openness of the responses I have heard across the entire University and the willingness of the community to work together to achieve our goals together.
As already shared with you, I have charged a Strategic Planning Steering Committee (chaired by Deanne D’Emilio, Dean of
Several themes emerged:
the School of Management) with broad
• A strong commitment to the University and its mission, particularly focused on the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy and the focus on social justice; • Strong emphasis on student-centeredness, but concern about addressing the diversity and bimodal quality of students (undergraduate);
representation across the entire University. The external firm that is assisting us, Credo, specializes in working with smaller institutions to assist them in becoming thriving institutions.
• Voiced concern about where are we going and a need for vision; • Expectations of accountability needed across the University and taking us out of our comfort zone;
Focus groups to receive your input have occurred and data is being synthesized by
• Need for planning but agility in decision-making;
Credo and reviewed by the Strategic Planning
• Being financially sustainable and addressing compensation of faculty and staff;
Steering Committee. In early February, the
• A strong need for reinvention of ourselves and being entrepreneurial in program development and delivery;
solicit your feedback.
• Need for more partnerships across the region; and
Measures and targets, with a “Thriving
• Need for more visibility and marketing of the University (“unknown in Oakland”).
Scorecard,” [indicators of progress attached
I will continue to solicit your input and have started smaller gatherings with faculty and staff on a monthly basis to continue to listen to you and hear your questions and input.
11,000 friends and fans of Carlow University on our social media sites on
to the plan] will be created to ensure that we will be moving the plan forward. The Board of Trustees will be involved throughout this process before we bring it forward to them
join the carlow community online!
and celebrate alumni successes. Join in the conversation with more than
campus-wide presentation, discussion and the draft plan. At this time, we will again
• Growing enrollment and facilities to support students;
Stay up-to-date with campus happenings, faculty/student research news,
consultants will be returning to Carlow for a
for final approval in May. 11,00 frien 0 and f ds ans
Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
office of the president
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