Goal 2. Academic Excellence
Attain national recognition as a top public educational research university.
Critical Success Factors (measures of the degree of success over the next 5 years):
- Ranked in the top 75 public research universities in sponsored projects.
- Ranked in the top 75 public research universities in federal research expenditures.
- Selected disciplines ranked nationally in the top 75 of public universities.
- Academic reputation score in national rankings.
- 10 research centers or institutes, each with at least $3M per year in research expenditures.
- Ranked in the top 50 in Association of Research Libraries.
- University Press publish at least 30 high-quality books annually.
- 2 faculty members in national academies.
- Increase number of faculty selected as Fellows in scholarly societies and those winning state and national society teaching and research awards.
- Obtain at least 7 major national faculty awards per year.
- 210 Doctorates awarded annually.
- 120 Postdoctoral opportunities annually at the university.
- Increase the number of students selected as Rhodes, Truman, and Goldwater Scholars.
- Prepare for certification 600 Early Childhood through grade 12 teachers per year.
- 5% of undergraduate students involved in study abroad programs prior to graduation.
- Receive unqualified accreditations from appropriate external agencies.
- Improved performance on multiple measures of teaching effectiveness.
- Increase percent of former undergraduate students enrolled in graduate or professional programs.
- Increase percent of graduates in careers related to their degree.
Objectives:
Objective 2.1: Improve national ranking and reputation of undergraduate programs.
Strategies:
- Adjust admission standards to recruit distinguished students.
- Develop additional funding for undergraduate research opportunities.
- Increase undergraduate student participation in national and regional programs and conferences.
- Recruit National Merit Scholars and other distinguished high school graduates.
- Establish an office that supports students in applying for nationally recognized scholarships and awards.
- Implement an integrated marketing program that advances the university's reputation.
- Identify, enter, and pursue winning national academic/scholastic competitions.
- Establish and implement performance standards for all academic programs.
- Track and report the professional success of undergraduate students .
- Increase the number of students affiliated with honor societies.
- Provide support for honor society officers to attend national conferences.
Assessments:
- Number of national scholarships.
- Rankings of academic departments.
- Rankings in national academic/scholastic competitions.
- Number of National Merit Scholars.
- Number of mentored research opportunities.
- Average SAT/ACT scores.
- Number of student participants in programs and conferences.
- Number of student members in honor societies.
Objective 2.2: Improve national ranking and reputation of graduate and professional programs.
Strategies:
- Adjust admission standards to recruit distinguished students.
- Develop additional graduate research opportunities.
- Establish graduate programs in disciplines where there are unique opportunities.
- Increase graduate student participation in national and regional programs and conferences.
- Encourage and assist graduate students in applying for nationally recognized scholarships and funded research opportunities.
- Implement an integrated marketing program that advances the university's reputation.
- Establish and implement performance standards for all graduate programs.
- Track and report the professional success of graduate students.
Assessments:
- Number of national scholarships.
- Rankings of graduate programs
- Number of participants in programs and conferences.
- Average GRE/LSAT/GMAT scores.
- Publications by graduate students.
- Number of doctoral graduates employed at research universities and research laboratories.
Objective 2.3: Improve the ranking of the library among Association of Research Libraries institutions.
Strategies:
- Track the library performance in the Association of Research Libraries rating categories.
- Increase the number and salaries of library professional staff.
- Expand library holdings in both serials and monographs.
- Expand holdings in electronic databases.
- Market and promote the quality of library collections.
- Expand usage of the library collections.
Assessment:
- Level of performance in each Association of Research Libraries category.
Objective 2.4: Implement policies and practices designed to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Strategies:
- Emphasize effective teaching as a priority of the university.
- Expand the number and value of awards that recognize excellence in teaching.
- Improve technological capabilities of classrooms.
- Provide faculty training and professional development opportunities related to teaching.
- Provide teaching assignments appropriate for quality faculty instruction and student learning.
- Expand teaching improvement opportunities.
- Provide appropriate support for faculty to develop innovative teaching approaches.
- Utilize multiple measures of teaching effectiveness.
- Identify and promote effective teaching practices on campus.
Assessments:
- Number of teaching awards.
- Amount of support for teaching enhancement.
- Number of faculty participating in teaching enhancement programs.
- Evaluations of faculty teaching.
Objective 2.5: Build nationally recognized research programs.
Strategies:
- Recruit nationally recognized research scholars in designated areas.
- Develop nationally recognized research scholars from within the university.
- Increase financial and physical resources for research infrastructure.
- Increase graduate student participation on funded research projects.
- Provide incentives to increase research productivity.
- Establish formal mentoring programs for new junior faculty.
- Establish funded research programs that are integrated with educational programs throughout the state.
Assessments:
- Number of faculty publications and citations.
- Total research expenditures.
- Federal research expenditures.
Objective 2.6: Expand opportunities for international experiences and study-abroad participation.
Strategies:
- Seek funding to support students in study abroad programs.
- Seek external funding to develop or expand study-abroad programs.
- Provide support to establish diverse study-abroad programs, including language development and dual-degree programs.
- Provide faculty incentives to participate in study-abroad programs.
- Increase the professional staff involved in study-abroad programs.
- Ensure policies and procedures that enhance study-abroad programs and address crises management.
Assessments:
- Number of programs.
- Number of program participants.
- Amount of funding.
- Evaluations of study-abroad experience and program performance.
Objective 2.7: Have productive and relevant centers and institutes.
Strategies:
- Target specific areas of excellence to establish centers or institutes.
- Identify faculty members interested in establishing interdisciplinary centers or institutes focused on emerging international, national, or regional issues.
- Provide initial support to centers and institutes that are addressing emerging issues.
- Improve existing review program for centers and institutes.
Assessments:
- External funding generated through centers and institutes.
- Number of publications generated.
- Documentation of the relevancy of each center and institute.
Objective 2.8: Increase the number of nationally recognized faculty.
Strategies:
- Recruit nationally recognized scholars.
- Provide support and resources to develop nationally recognized scholars from within the university.
- Review tenure and promotion standards to ensure scholarly development.
- Provide competitive salaries and benefits.
- Establish an office that supports faculty in applying for national honors and awards.
- Identify and market faculty achievements through a university-wide nomination committee.
Assessments:
- Number of faculty fellows in national societies.
- Number of state and national teaching and research awards.
- Number of publication citations.
Objective 2.9: Develop nationally recognized excellence in every college.
Strategies:
- Identify areas with potential for excellence in each college.
- Encourage faculty to propose areas of excellence that might be developed into national prominence.
- Support collaboration in the development of interdisciplinary excellence.
- Provide the resources necessary to develop excellence.
Assessments:
- Number of nationally ranked programs.
- Level of external funding.