Page 19 - Laker Connection Spring 2012

campus update
CLAYTON STATE LEAPS FORWARD WITH A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN... IT’S ALL ABOUT STUDENT SUCCESS
It is all about learning and student success. That’s the thrust of Clayton State University’s new strategic plan, a plan that will
guide the Univer- sity to where it wants to go as it leaps forward.
The values of
the strategic plan,
and its mission
statement, were the subject of a pres- entation by Clayton State President Dr. Thomas “Tim” Hynes on the occa- sion of the official launch of the strate- gic plan in October 2011. Hynes listed the key elements of the new mission statement as being: engaged and expe- rience based learning; active and en- riching community service; a rich and complex view of diversity — inclusive of similarity and differences in ages, backgrounds, as well as race an eth- nicity; and a focus on student success — in learning, in careers, in communi- ties and in lives.
While not exactly presenting a “Five Year Plan,” Hynes did have some very specific goals for the Univer- sity for the next five years in conjunction with the strategic plan. These included:
least a 10 percent increase in first to second year retention and six year graduation rates relative to 2010 levels
• The university will be cited na- tionally for applications of tech- nology in various forms to student and faculty learning
Hynes also noted goals to be achieved within the next five years:
• Within five years, each college and school will develop and im- plement innovative study abroad opportunities and ex- change programs for students and faculty that will increase par- ticipation by at least 10 percent
• Within five years, the univer- sity will design programs for all university faculty and staff to enhance cultural competencies
• Within the next five years, cre- ate programs for linking every undergraduate student on one or more occasion with a Clayton State alumnus
• Within five years, create an ex- tensive inventory of successful and sustained partnerships with multiple partners—K-12 sys-
tems in Clayton, Henry , Fayette, Fulton Counties that supports more students to seek and achieve baccalaureate degrees
• Within five years, Clayton State will be a recognized leader in adult learning and degree completion
• Within five years, Clayton State will develop model internship pro- grams to improve the civic life of Clayton, Fayette, Fulton, and Henry Counties
• Within five years, Clayton State will be cited for extensive strategic partnerships with local and global institutions/corporations for en- hanced learning
• Within five years, Clayton State will document and increase mean- ingful research and social learning projects to benefit Clayton, Fayette, Fulton and Henry Counties — is- sues will include educational re- form, civic engagement and leadership, immigration, law en- forcement, transportation, health and health management, economic development, and the environ- ment.
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Graduates of every academic program will complete one or more active learning experi- ences before graduation
Every undergraduate student will sign a social contract of re- sponsibility, and all will have an opportunity to sign a contract committing to community service
Programs in every institutional college will be cited nationally for leadership in innovations and success in student learning
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Students will demonstrate at
The campus community gathers at the October 2011 Strategic Plan Launch Party.
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