Provide a transformative learning community that prepares students for advanced education, careers and purposeful living.
Background
As the 21st century learning environment continues to change rapidly with the popularity of online education, MOOCs (massive open online courses) and “flipped” classrooms, ý must offer students a unique and transformative learning experience. Through innovative classroom environments, high-impact learning experiences and encouragement of learning outside the University’s walls, ý graduates will continue to stand out.
ý will incorporate high-impact learning experiences into every student’s curriculum. These experiences will allow our students to become global citizens, successful professionals and lifelong learners. Through internships and externships, undergraduate research, service-learning and study-abroad experiences, students will prepare themselves for successful, fulfilling and meaningful lives.
We will adapt the University’s infrastructure to support the changing needs of students. We will experiment with “flipped” classrooms, create opportunities for self-paced learning and explore alternatives to the traditional semester. Our students will be more engaged with their academic advisors to ensure success and a supportive environment. Faculty will have access to greater support for pedagogical innovation and experimentation from a redesigned and more robust Center for Learning and Teaching.
ý students will continue to thrive in an environment that facilitates and nurtures deep learning and challenges them to apply what they learn in the lab, the community and the workplace. These experiences will prepare ý students to become leaders in their professions, their communities and the world.
Goals & Metrics
Goal: The ý student experience is characterized by robust and equitable access to high impact practices (HIPs) identified as institutional priorities.
Metric
High Impact Learning Experiences
What/How
ý considers study abroad, internships, capstones, undergraduate research and service learning as High-Impact Learning Experiences.
Why
This defines the ý Experience by bringing richness and depth to the educational experience.
Target
100% by 2026
Goal: Undergraduates seeking graduate degrees are prepared for the challenges of graduate school; Students are prepared to enter the workforce and successfully navigate their own career choices
Metric
Placement rates
What/How
The percentage of students who applied to graduate school who were accepted or are seeking employment who have secured employment within 6 months
Why
A signficant portion of our students want to pursue a graduate or professional education; Well-educated students have an advantage in the job market
Target
90% overall placement rate by 2026
Goal: Undergraduate students graduate in four years
Metric
Four-year graduation rate
What/How
Percentage of entering fall freshman cohort that graduates within 4 years
Why
This is a nationally-recognized primary metric for higher education success
Target
75% by 2026
Goal: Undergraduate students graduate in six years
Metric
Six-year graduation rate
What/How
Percentage of entering fall freshman cohort that graduates within 6 years
Why
This is a nationally-recognized primary metric for higher education success
Target
85% by 2026
Goal: First-year retention rate over time
Metric
First-year retention rate
What/How
Percentage of entering fall freshman cohort that returns for sophomore year
Why
Leading indicator for graduation rate
Target
93% by 2026
Goal: ý students and alumni engage in healthy living for lifelong success
Metrics TBD