New Initiatives (Big Bold Ideas) Administrative Council Meeting, September 28th, 2017

Strategic Priority I - Preparing students for a 21st-century global economy by delivering innovative and relevant academic programs:

• Better connect careers between programs:
  1. Career path options and opportunities
  2. What can I do with this degree?
• Support mechanism for distant internships
• Better accessibility of ESL, outside provider of language services (lecturer with some ESL responsibilities)
• General Education – innovative, message of its purpose
• Working with KHA to bring information to residents, and small giveaways
• Create a diversity / cultural center
• Enhance sustainability efforts 

Strategic Priority II - Increasing college enrollment and degree attainment in north central Indiana:

• Connect better with parents on how higher education and opportunities work:
  1. Address parents’ fear of students moving away
  2. Economic diversity needs to be included in the conversation
  3. Work with M&M to develop messages through various social media to provide information to parents
• Increase enrollment:
  1. Summer program for kids
  2. College readiness camps
  3. Bring important public officials (church officials or other respected leaders) to campus; engage with other organizations –good fellows, fireman/police initiatives
• Increase retention:
  1. Case managers to help students meet their non-academic needs; student ombudsperson
  2. Find/identify more retention efforts for low-income at-risk students
  3. Add retention efforts for sophomore and juniors
• Additional student space:
  1. Residence halls - our own or private partnerships
  2. Sports venue
  3. Wellness center
• Review general education as a possible hindrance to online degree enrollments and persistence

Strategic Priority III - Promoting the culture of discovery and creativity among students, faculty, staff and community members:

• Engage in data-informed decision making regarding the programs we deliver, promote
• Efficient use of financial resources
• Grants person
• Rolling deadlines for grant applications
• More community involvement with bringing kids to see the arts on campus
• Give students more power and involvement to help change campus:
  1. Board of Aeons
  2. Identify student challenges
• Minimize barriers to student participation in KEY and other extracurricular travel
• Create a website to highlight faculty and student research

Strategic Priority IV - Being a valued regional partner by enhancing relationships with community members and alumni:

• Increase community workshops
• Increase continuing education credit (workshops/conferences) for professionals in the community
• Student Alumni Association/board
• Create “Alumni U” webinar series
• Create additional space for campus and community events
• Create a center for community engagement