INTRODUCTION The College of Arts and Sciences (College) is the largest academic unit at Northern State University, accounting for nearly one-third of all faculty and students. The College is composed of three Departments housing some of the largest and fastest growing programs on campus spanning the Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Sciences, as well as providing the bulk of general education, freshmen seminar, and high school dual credit offerings. The College also makes major contributions in research, external grants, outreach, and community engagement. In 2018, the College shifted toward a more deliberative and formal process for long-term planning and implementation based on the model of “Strategic Doing,” which is better suited to meet the opportunities and challenges over the coming decade marked by significant demographic change, shifting demands in the workforce, and an evolving financial model for higher education. After soliciting feedback from multiple stakeholders during spring 2019, the College adopted a new mission, vision, and values statement and structure for strategic planning and implementation from September 2019 to September 2021. The College’s blueprint for this action plan spans and unites four Pillars of Distinction – Teaching, Research and Scholarship, Engagement, and Administration and Assessment – supported by specific pedagogical, curricular, staffing, professional development, and administrative initiatives. This document outlines that blueprint; including Mission, Vision, and Values; Structure; and Pillars and Initiatives. This document provides a general blueprint that will be assessed on a regular basis to reflect changing opportunities and circumstances. As a College, we reconvened to discuss and adapt the current action items, creating a new list of action items to implement during September 2021 to September 2023 and move the College forward strategically into the future. MISSION To provide students with challenging educational experiences grounded in the liberal arts and natural sciences that develop the capacity to make an impact as critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators, and creators. VISION To become a community of teacher-scholars dedicated to quality student-centered education, scholarship, and service that fosters professional, personal, and civic success. VALUES Integrity, Excellence, Community, Leadership Teaching Subcommittee Goal: To promote practical solutions to common teaching problems. Members: Stacy Trentham (Chair), Kristi Brownfield, Liz Sills, and Art Marmorstein Research Subcommittee Goal: To support and stimulate scholarship. Members: Ginny Lewis (Chair), Nuurranti (Bobby) Jalli, Eric Pulis, and Chris Near Engagement Subcommittee Goal: To improve engagement among College faculty and students, the larger Northern campus, and various external constituencies. Members: Peter Ramey (Chair), Rhonda Carda, Lysbeth Benkert-Rasmussen, Guangwei Ding, Ben Harley, and Jessica Ness Departments English, Communication, and Global Languages History and Social Sciences Science and Mathematics STRUCTURE Reporting to the Dean, the Core Team serves as a coordinating body for innovative, cross-cutting, interdisciplinary initiatives applicable across the College. The Core Team supervises thematic Teams with a similar charge focused on Teaching, Research and Scholarship, and Engagement. The Departments are responsible for strategic planning and implementation within their designated disciplines and interdisciplinary initiatives. Core Team Goal: To cultivate a culture of collaboration, improvement, and reflection. Members: Alyssa Kiesow (Co-Chair), Ginny Lewis (Co-Chair), Rhonda Carda, Jessica Ness, Erin Brownlee, Jodie Ramsay, Steven Usitalo, Elizabeth Haller, John Long, Stacy Trentham, Peter Ramey, Emily Meier, and Kennedy Davis
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