Kent State University’s Division of Academic Affairs invites
members of the university community to review and provide
feedback to the first draft of its strategic plan for academic
affairs. Recommendations will be received through April 10.

Kent State University’s Division of Academic Affairs presents the first draft of its strategic plan, “Our Voices, Our Vision,” for review and invites members of the university community to provide recommendations to strengthen the existing proposal. Click here to download and read the plan. Please note that downloading the plan is recommended for best viewing results.

The plan was based on recommendations submitted by Kent State faculty, staff and students, then compiled and analyzed by the Academic Affairs Planning Committee.

The Academic Affairs Planning Committee gathered feedback from the online Civic Commons website, 14 round-table discussions, advisory, community and student groups and anonymous feedback forms. More than 2,570 comments addressed the university’s six strategic directions.

The Academic Affairs Planning Committee was divided into the following sub-committees based on the six strategic hubs:

• Ensuring Student Success
• Enhancing Academic Excellence and Innovation
• Expanding Breakthrough Research and Creative Endeavors
• Engaging the World Beyond Our Campuses
• Securing Our Financial Future
• Developing and Recognizing Our People
  

Each sub-committee reviewed the feedback, as well as the campus and college strategic plan, and developed strategic recommendations that provided guidance for campus, college and unit planning for the next three to five years.

Using the university’s six strategic directions, the proposition sets the tone and overall direction for the academic program and provides a clear statement of what the Division of Academic Affairs values at Kent State.

“Kent State University’s vision is to change lives by encouraging outstanding teaching and innovative learning opportunities, by cultivating excellence in all we do and by seeking greater access and affordability for our students,” says Todd Diacon, Kent State provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

“My vision for academic affairs complements the university’s vision,” he says. “I want to offer students, at all our campuses, an unparalleled campus experience.”

During the course of the deliberations, feedback was noted about specific issues that were not suitable for inclusion at the broad strategic level, but would be best addressed by specific units within the university. These issues have been identified and will be directed to the appropriate offices for further discussion and resolution.

At this stage, all members of the university community are invited to review the first draft of the recommendations and to give feedback to fortify the plan. Feedback can be given through:

• Civic Commons (http://theciviccommons.com/conversations/feedback-on-academic-affairs-draft-strategic-plan)
• Provost’s website (www.kent.edu/provost/strategicplanning.cfm)
• Email (aastrategicplan@kent.edu)
• Anonymous Feedback Form (www.kent.edu/about/administration/provost/upload/Our-Voices_Anonymous-Feedback-Form.pdf and mail to: Sally Kandel, Academic Affairs Operations and Administration, Room 208 Schwartz Center)
• Open Discussion Sessions:
  • Tuesday, April 2, 11 a.m. – noon, Room 315, Kent Student Center
  • Tuesday, April 2, 1 – 2 p.m., Provost’s Conference Room (Room 222, University Library). This session will have polycom to allow Regional Campus participation.
  • Tuesday, April 2, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ground Floor Multipurpose Room, College of Podiatric Medicine
  • Monday, April 8, 2 – 3 p.m., Room 315, Kent Student Center
  • Monday, April 8, 3 – 5 p.m., Library Conference Room, Kent State University at Stark

The Academic Affairs Planning Committee appreciates the involvement of everyone who participated in the data collection process and looks forward to receiving feedback on the first draft of the plan itself.

Please contact Stan Wearden at swearden@kent.edu or Carey McDougall at cmcdoug2@kent.edu with questions or to receive more information. Feedback is invited through April 10.