2000-2010 Strategic Plan

Goal #3: Increase the COE's Active Engagement with Constituents

Rationale: A defining characteristic of distinguished research faculty at land-grant institutions is the impact of their scholarship on the lives of constituents. While successful in addressing societal needs in the past, the COE is committed to developing more responsive, collegial, and effective models of interaction called for by the complex challenges faced by today1s communities. The COE seeks to become an engaged college whose faculty, students, and staff anticipate and respond to societal challenges through direct involvement with constituents in its programmatic efforts in research, teaching, and outreach. Supportive of Institutional Goals 6 and 8.

Objectives and Possible Strategic Actions

A. Develop a COE model of the Engaged College using the Kellogg commission report as a springboard.

Discuss the implications of Returning to our Roots: The Engaged Institution; Kellogg Commission Report (1999), develop a COE model, and establish priorities.
Support interested units in developing areas of engagement, strategic actions, and research opportunities in conjunction with its stakeholders.
Increase influence on educational policy through targeted interactions with state and national legislative committees and other policy groups.
Invigorate and expand alumni and development efforts.

B. Develop responsive partnerships with schools, community agencies, businesses, corporations, and other universities.

Establish ongoing channels of two-way communication with partner institutions to determine critical need areas.
Demonstrate collaborative leadership in research and development strategies addressing critical issues in Georgia and beyond.
Develop opportunities and support for integrating research, teaching, and outreach for faculty and students through engagement projects with partners.
Increase opportunities for faculty and student in Academic Community Learning.
Increase support for research, outreach, and teaching opportunities with partners in multiple contexts, including international and domestic culturally diverse settings.
Engage in collaborative action research with constituents, focusing on needs and priorities that are local in nature but national in relevance, to improve education practices through applications of information technology.

C. Support interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach.

Increase working relationships with counterpart faculty/staff, both within and outside the College, for cross-disciplinary teaching, research, and outreach.
Establish interdisciplinary problem-focused teams addressing educational issues of state, national and global significance.

D. Establish resources and a reward structure encouraging faculty and student participation in engagement efforts.

Develop resource partnerships for creative funding of engagement opportunities.
Increase recognition of engagement endeavors in merit, tenure and promotion, and COE awards processes.
Explore mechanisms for planning and funding centers that coordinate engagement efforts (e.g., Center for Research, Instruction, and Service Learning Projects).
Expand external funding from a variety of sources, including foundations and alumni.

E. Increase the number and variety of international activities of the college.

Identify a single individual in the college to coordinate international activities and serve as liaison to the university's Office of International Education.
Increase number of formal cooperative agreements with institutions in other countries.
Identify sources of funds to increase number of students engaged in study abroad or student exchange programs.
Identify sources of funds to increase number of international faculty exchanges and study leaves.

Introduction

Goal #1
Goal #2
Goal #3
Goal #4
Goal #5

Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix F
Appendix G