Academic Profile Task Force
Anticipated trends
- More and more, the University will be judged by the “success of its students,” rather than graduation rates, student satisfaction or other measures.
- Missouri State will continue to rely on optimal assessment practices (program and institutional level, accreditations, analysis of regional and state needs, etc.) in order to facilitate data-based decision making.
- Attention to shortening the time to degrees will intensify, in part to help reduce student loan debt, with both topics part of the national discussion on higher education.
- The state and national discussion will continue about the value of baccalaureate and graduate degrees, both to society and the individual.
Reaffirmations
- Missouri State will continue its enrollment growth while maintaining its selective admission status.
- The University understands that employer expectations and career readiness will continue
to depend upon learning foundations developed with a dynamic curriculum in the liberal
arts and sciences with strong communication and
problem-solving skills. - Missouri State values and promotes interdisciplinary initiatives that will enhance career pathways and elevate the level of research.
- Strengthening graduate education will remain vital to the University’s profile.
- Missouri State will continue to optimize support for research clusters, such as the JVIC and Viticulture/Enology models.
Major issues
- In addition to the traditional delivery, the University must be competent in a variety of modern delivery methods: online, hybrid/blended, incorporation of social media, short-term courses, self-paced, etc.
- The University will want to keep pace with Missouri and national employer needs, which in 2015 were especially strong in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, health fields and agriculture.
- The University can further enhance its stature by the quality of research accomplished, its applied focus and the development of student talent in the research process.
Vision
Missouri State University will provide all students with an appropriate array of highly respected academic programs, research options and the opportunity for a “personalized experience,” all of which will help lead to students succeeding and fulfilling their dreams.
Questions for the next long-range plan
- What new programs should Missouri State add to respond to both national and state priorities, as well as employer needs? Likewise, what programs should be eliminated or downsized due to weak demand?
- What initiatives will help improve student learning while creating more convenient pathways and reducing the time to degree for capable students?
- What, if any, changes need to be made in the academic organization to allow the University to be more responsive in the future?
- Should “IT IQ,” valuing diversity, commitment to the public affairs mission, involvement
in research
and other University priorities become even greater factors in recruiting and hiring new faculty? - Should a fund be established for strategic investment in academic areas of high career demand and emerging academic directions, including focused research?
Participants
John Jasinski
Interim Provost, Springfield Campus
Interim Chancellor, Mountain Grove Campus
Chair
Roberta Aram
Professor, School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences
Jared Bajkowski
Student
Paul Durham
Distinguished Professor, Biology
Robert Hornberger
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management
John Jungmann
Community Leader, Springfield Public Schools
Timothy Knapp
Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
Cameron LaBarr
Director of Choral Studies, Music
Dennis Lancaster
Dean of Academic Affairs, West Plains Campus
Julie Masterson
Dean, Graduate College
Steve Parker
Professor, Marketing
Melissa Remley
Assistant Professor, Agriculture
Elizabeth Rozell
Associate Dean, College of Business
Charles Whitaker
Student
Jill Wiggins
Director, Career Center
Rebecca Woodard
Professor, Kinesiology