Leading the way
College of Arts and Sciences unveils strategic plan, welcomes new faculty
3:36 p.m., Sept. 22, 2011--Diversity, engagement and increased faculty and student support marked the main goals of the College of Arts and Sciences’ strategic plan, unveiled yesterday at a town hall-style meeting with University of Delaware President Patrick Harker to address college questions and honor new faculty.
The CAS strategic plan, Leading the Way in Academics, Research, and Public Engagement, outlines four goals for the college:
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- Develop an outstanding faculty;
- Diversify faculty, students and staff;
- Lead the way in student learning and engagement; and
- Engage local, national and global communities.
“The plan is an articulated and coherent statement of our vision, mission and values,” said Dean George Watson before elaborating on the 16 focal points within the four goals.
In discussing faculty recruitment, he proposed increasing development support for endowed professorships, with a goal of growing the number of named professors from 40 to 60 over the next 10 years.
He also spoke about achievements aligned with the strategic plan, such as the expansion of the NUCLEUS program and the college’s recent inclusion of departments, programs and interdisciplinary centers, such as the English Language Institute, which joined CAS in the summer.
“As a broad and diverse college that encompasses nearly half the University, conceptualizing a plan for the college was a challenge,” Watson said.
He thanked Deputy Dean Ann Ardis, Iain Crawford, associate professor and acting chair of the Department of English, and John Pelesko, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, for leading the faculty committee report.
The college administration is now seeking departmental responses, asking for feedback by Nov. 15.
The succinct strategic plan—written in fewer than 1,400 words in order to be “clear, concise, and easy to remember”—can be downloaded from the College of Arts and Sciences website and the strategic planning committee's final report is available in PDF format by clicking here.
Watson’s presentation was followed by brief remarks from Harker, who will visit with all seven colleges over the course of the semester “not to talk, but to listen.”
“If you have concerns, I want to hear them,” the president said to the college faculty, inviting them to discuss their questions and suggestions at the new faculty reception.
Held immediately following the event, the reception was to welcome the 28 new permanent faculty members joining the college.
Article by Artika Rangan
Photos by Duane Perry