Strategic Pathways and Goals
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has identified six strategic pathways to guide the university toward its vision: teaching and learning for student success, research and scholarship, enrollment and retention, community engagement and economic development, advance ment and philanthropy, and faculty and staff development. Each pathway is augmented by specific goals.
- Teaching and Learning for Student Success
- Research and Scholarship
- Enrollment and Retention
- Community Engagement and Economic Development
- Advancement and Philanthropy
- Faculty and Staff Development
1. Teaching and Learning for Student Success
Student success in higher education depends on both the quality of teaching in the classroom and the commitment of the student to the learning process. The university strives to provide excellence in teaching in the classroom through hiring quality faculty. In addition, faculty will be expected to provide in-classroom and out-of-classroom experiences, which will enhance the student learning experience.
Goals
- Enforce faculty qualification standards for each college and school
- Refine measurable learning standards and competencies for all degree and certificate programs
- Increase student participation in and opportunities for experiential learning
- Improve student success in distance education courses
- Enhance technology, support services and facilities for instruction and learning
- Construct an additional, major teaching and research facility
2. Research and Scholarship
As a research-intensive university, UAF seeks to maintain international prominence in research and scholarship with emphasis on the circumpolar North. The schools, colleges and research institutes headquartered on the Fairbanks campus focus on baccalaureate and graduate programs, basic and applied research, and research outreach. These programs derive much of their strength from the extensive research and scholarship conducted by the faculty.
Goals
- Increase research programs that address the Arctic and its indigenous people
- Focus on participation and outcomes associated with the International Polar Year
- Expand and improve both applied and collaborative research ventures
- Increase the proportion of students and faculty engaged in research and scholarly activities
- Document and disseminate indigenous knowledge
- Increase, promote and monitor undergraduate research opportunities, activities and accomplishments
- Provide competitive stipends for graduate assistantships and increase the number of graduate assistantships and post-doctoral fellowships
- Increase revitalized research space in existing facilities on West Ridge
3. Enrollment and Retention
Enrollment and retention practices are directly related to our students' academic and out-of-classroom successes. The university will focus on recruiting students committed to achieving academic success and providing the support students need to move toward completing their academic goals in a timely manner.
Goals
- Increase the university-wide freshman baccalaureate-seeking retention rate to at least 75 percent
- Increase the university-wide full-time baccalaureate six-year graduation rate by at least 40 percent
- Increase enrollment with an emphasis in selected areas such as programs of distinction and high demand job areas
- Identify and implement new methods of measuring student success
- Raise baccalaureate admissions standards by fall 2008
- Enroll the majority of UA Scholars choosing the UA system
- Assess the impact of the out-of-classroom experience on student success
- Expand the Wood Center student union facilities
- Increase Alaska Native enrollment in graduate programs by 50 percent
4. Community Engagement and Economic Development
To fully realize its mission, it is critical that the university strengthen its community engagement practices. This must be accomplished through comprehensive outreach efforts that encourage public participation, community partnerships and new ways of responding to the needs of a changing society.
Goals
- Implement a more comprehensive approach to community engagement
- Focus appropriate UAF resources on economic development activities in Alaska
- Generate innovative and useful applications of research that benefit the state of Alaska
- Grow strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders, and collaborations with public and private employers in workforce preparation and development programs that are responsive to Alaska's specific needs
5. Advancement and Philanthropy
It is imperative for the university to gain and expand the public's excitement about, confidence in and support of the university. A strong philanthropic effort will provide the university with a margin of excellence through additional funds from private and corporate giving.
Goals
- Increase public and private support for UAF through sustained advancement activities
- Strengthen UAF marketing and communication efforts
- Increase alumni support and involvement
- Seek private and corporate support of student scholarships and fellowships
- Increase awareness of the university's contributions to the state
- Educate key stakeholders about our critical need for new, expanded and well-maintained facilities for research and teaching
6. Faculty and Staff Development
The university is dedicated to recruiting, developing, retaining and recognition of a diverse faculty and staff who will carry out our mission of excellence in teaching, research and service.
Goals
- Increase the representation and retention of women and minorities in staff and faculty positions
- Improve measures for evaluating faculty and staff performance
- Increase recognition of staff and faculty excellence
- Increase staff development activities
- Increase assistance to new faculty in areas such as establishing research programs and pedagogy