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Leah Bittner

“The SMSU RN to BSN Program does not have you take a set amount of credits each semester. This flexible scheduling was perfect for me as it allowed me to vary the amount of credits I took each semester. I would have struggled without that flexibility as I am a non-traditional student who is also a wife, mother of four, and worked full time while completing my degree. This program is designed to fit into your life, whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student.”

Leah Bittner, '22 Alum
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Strategic Plan Annual Actions

Strategic Plan 2021-2026

SMSU Vision and Values:

SMSU aspires to be recognized throughout Minnesota and beyond for being an inclusive and student-centered university. We value:

  1. Discovery through innovative teaching, research and other high-impact experiences.
  2. Civic engagement and strategic partnerships.
  3. Developing broadly educated and well-rounded leaders.

Accomplishments

Priority 1

Affirm and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Increase campus diversity, ensure inclusive learning, social, working, and living environments, and eliminate equity gaps

Goals

  • Goal 1: Eliminate gaps in student success and access to educational opportunities.
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Disaggregate and review equity gap data for all university gateway and all program-level courses
      • Create Faculty Liaison position for Supplemental Instruction (SI)
      • Redesign developmental courses (Math, EMLS, LEP)
      • Provide trainings in IDI, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Inclusive Leadership
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Create Equity Fellows Program
      • Establish/expand SI (18 sections offered)
      • Increase enrollment in Mustang Pathway Program (nearly tripled over 3 years: 10-17-27)
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Continue/evolve SUCCESS program beyond grant period
      • Offer 20 SI sections
      • Increase funding for Equity and Opportunity Scholarships and new student success programs
      • Mental Health Counseling Center – rename/rebrand
      • Initiate response to Equity Scorecard
      • Conceptualize and obtain funding for “Technology Equity Grants” program
      • Expand professional dress closet resources
      • Identify funding options to support mental health resources (system office funding provided)
    • Action Items AY25
      • Develop dynamic tool (Power BI) to report disaggregated course data
      • Develop process for Technology Equity Grants program in conjunction with the System-wide BEAM programs
  • Goal 2: Integrate recommendations for strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion into the strategic plan to ensure they receive priority and ongoing attention.
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Engage with Marshall DEI Commission
    • Accomplishments AY23/AY24
      • Hire fulltime CDO
    • Action Items AY25
      • Disseminate results of the student Campus Climate Survey for collaboration on goal areas and develop action steps
  • Goal 3: Improve the campus climate related to diversity and inclusion. 
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Revise hiring practices to ensure DEI focus
      • Create and integrate Land Acknowledgement Statement
      • Highlight ODI office and Women's/LGBTQ+ Center on campus tour.
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Create Bias Incident Support and Advisory Team
      • Provide student and employee mental health programming
      • Provide Inclusive Leadership training
      • Revise search process to enhance equity and increase diversity of candidates
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Integrate DEI focus in recruiting events and tours
      • Convene campus discussion of DEI and belonging issues
      • Admissions and ODI collaborate to develop recruitment plan.
      • Increase diversity of tour guides hired
      • Highlight ODI resources during Open House
      • Administer Student Campus Climage Survey; report in development
      • Provide HR and DEIB Learning Connections: Equity and Inclusion focused training for employees
    • Action Items AY25
      • Complete renovations to Museum of Indigenous Americans (Fall 2024) and include museum on admission tour route
      • Administer Campus Climate Survey for faculty/staff
      • Engage student in study of Mandarin with visiting Taiwan instructor

Priority 2

Inspire academic success and discovery through innovative teaching, research, and student support services, and other high-impact experiences. Foster high-quality teaching and learning and a campus culture that encourages, celebrates, and promotes undergraduate and graduate student and faculty research and creative work.

Goals

Goal 1: Foster inclusive, high-quality teaching and learning. 
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Establish partnership with San Juan College (NM)
      • Provide Professional Development and Assessment Days
      • Establish Study Abroad and Global Education (SAGE) Committee
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Convene strategic discussions with area business leaders.
      • Establish North Star Mutual School of Business
      • Address culturally responsive teaching effectiveness in faculty PDP/PDR
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Develop technology platform for data science student projects and research
      • Initiate planning for cybersecurity technology needs.
      • Provide funding ($50K) to help offset cost of student travel.
      • Through COLT develop an AI Guidelines Workgroup for the University.
    • Action Items AY25
      • Inventory program-level experiential learning opportunities with goal of providing these to every SMSU student.
      • COLT—develop online course to increase quality and consistency of online instruction.
      • COLT—implement D2L orientation for new/adjunct faculty.
      • COLT—develop guidelines for AI including syllabus language suggestions and other issues arising in both academic and non-academic pursuits as a result of AI growth.
      • Participate in system office equity by design focus groups (admin and faculty cohorts).
  • Goal 2: Grow and sustain quality on-campus and distance learning degrees/certificates and graduate education.
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Achieve initial accreditation for Exercise Science program
      • Develop COLT to support instruction in all modalities
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Complete successful HLC Multi-location accreditation
      • Approve Wiley partnership for online programs
      • Achieve initial accreditation for all BIS programs
    • Accomplishments AY24

      • Implement LabStats software to enhance access to University licensed software for remote students

      • Create committee to oversee online education

      • Complete College Now re-accreditation

      • Implement Risepoint services

      • Complete successful HLC multi-site accreditation for learning communities and Twin Cities partnerships

    • Action Items AY25

      • Complete approval process for MSW degree.

      • Complete approval process for pre-licensure Nursing program.

      • Identify additional academic program opportunities and create prioritized timeline for approval and implementation

  • Goal 3:  Increase student regional and national presentation and publication of research and creative works.  
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Create Mustang Ovations Committee
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Establish funding and application process for undergraduate research
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Establish faculty Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity (URSA) Committee to review and prioritize funding requests
      • Initiate long-term expansion of Qualtrics survey software licensing
    • Action Items FY25
      • Initiate NMR Cooperative with system institutions
      • Contract with external entity to support grant seeking/submission
  • Goal 4: Encourage and support campus and inter-institutional scholarly and creative collaborations.
    • Action Items AY24
      • Pursue funding to support grant seeking

Priority 3

Foster civic engagement and strategic partnerships. Develop deep, reciprocal, equitable, and sustained partnerships within our community and region that contribute to the public good, positively impact the environment, strengthen the local and regional economy, and enhance the education of our students.

Goals

  • Goal 1: Establish long-term partnerships with area, regional, and other employers to provide applied learning opportunities for SMSU students.
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • System office workfore development leaders met with SMSU and city leader
      • Develop potential political science/legislature collaboration with Nigerian delegation
    • Action Items AY25
      • Implement partnership with Solugen to provide student learning and guest lecturer opportunities.
      • Partner with Avera to support pre-licensure nursing program.
  • Goal 2: Identify and promote opportunities for students and the campus community to engage in social, entertainment, and service activities in the city of Marshall and surrounding area. Include opportunities for fully online and non-traditional students
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Establish WorldFest as new, annual SMSU-Marshall event
      • Establish SMSU Day of Service
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Host networking luncheon for students and business leaders
      • Host Holiday Social for campus and community
      • Host Prairie Jam concert
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Schedule additional planning meetings with city.
    • Action Items AY25
      • Engage online students in committee service.
      • Create Mustang Market advisory committee to include at least two students.
  • Goal 3:  Cultivate and build mutually beneficial relationships between potential donors and the University that reflect shared values and align financial support with educational priorities.
    • Accomplishments AY22
      • Confirm major donor commitments to support campaign priorities (ie. Res Hal, student success, alumni association, scholarships)
      • Communicate impact of funding to advance DEI goals
    • Accomplishments AY23
      • Finalize partnership with North Star Mutual Insurance providing $3M for the School of Business
      • Develop donor-supported student/business leader networking lunches
      • Host Donor Dinner to thank SMSU supporters
    • Accomplishments AY24
      • Establish relationships with new campaign donors and lift up planned giving opportunities.
      • Continue conversations with donors and friends regarding the impact private support can make on DEI priorities

Priority 4

Support student engagement and leadership development. Offer holistic support services and opportunities for student engagement that contribute to the development of well-rounded leaders.

Goals

    • Goal 1: Provide an array of services to meet the diverse needs of students and strengthen the success of students of color, first generation students, and Pell-eligible students.
      • Accomplishments AY23
        • Hire health navigator; partner with Avera clinic to provide services
        • Hire new Coordinator of Accessibility Services as part of Student Success Center
      • Accomplishments AY24

        • Convene group to plan 1st Gen Day event

        • Hold Trans Day of Visibility workshop and educational programming

        • Provide Title IX employee and student training, prevention programming, and resource development

        • Increase support for student mental health (via system office funding)

        • Expand inventory of Professional Dress Closet

      • Action Items AY25
        • Implement Mantra online mental health support.
    • Goal 2: Identify, support, and strengthen campus opportunities designed to foster student engagement with a focus given to students of color, first generation, and Pell-eligible students.
        • Accomplishments AY23
          • Expand and incentivize campus housing options
          • Collaborate with Marshall to fund and construct outdoor basketball court
        • Accomplishments AY24

          • Provide culturally diverse programming emphasizing regional voices (e.g. author Kalia Kao Yang; It Begins With Us)

          • Mustang Pathway Program supporting developmental math, offering free summer course

          • Convene group to discuss expanding campus programming as part of SEM planning

          • Initiate Athletics Strategic Plan

          • Expand funding and staffing capacity for Mustang Market

        • Action Items AY25
          • Complete SEM Plan
          • Complete Athletics Strategic Plan
          • Complete DEI Strategic Plan

      •  
    • Goal 3: Develop, support, and promote opportunities designed to develop student leadership. 
      • Accomplishments AY24
        • Establish president-level leadership development program for full-ride scholarship recipients
      • Action Items AY25

        • Work with student association to increase student participation on committees

        • Create peer mentor program for LEP 101

Priority 5

Ensure Effective Institutional Operations and Community Well-being. Create a highly-supportive environment focused on the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of the University community.

Goals

    • Goal 1: Provide a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for students, staff and faculty. 
      • Accomplishments AY22
        • Renovate university pool
      • Accomplishments AY23
        • Lease Social Sciences building for occupancy by the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative and the Marshall Public Schools
        • Relocate and redesign offices and classrooms with closing of Social Sciences building
        • Host faculty and staff appreciation reception
        • Provide Employee Appreciation and Mustang Ovations recognition events
        • Conduct campus Safety and Security audit
        • Embed Crisis Advocate in Public Safety Office
        • Establish MOU with mental health and crisis prevention providers
        • Install secure exterior door access in residence halls
        • Complete planning for future phone systems that can support enhanced campus security services
        • Refinish PE gym floor
        • Acquire donor funding for Equity and Opportunity scholarships ($27K) and Mustang Pathway Program ($56K)
      • Accomplishments AY24

        • Initiate planning for revitalizing SM 169, the Model Classroom, ST classrooms and the BA 314 & 319 spaces

        • Administer Student Campus Climate Survey

        • Provide Title IX employee and student training, prevention programming, and resource development

        • Hold Trans Day of Visibility workshop and educational programming

        • Provide HR and DEIB Learning Connections: Equity & Inclusion focused training for employees

        • Provide Vector Solutions Training in DEIB, Title IX & Clery, Accessibility, and Bias

        • Create campus maps in four languages: Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish

        • Convene campus discussion of DEI and belonging issues

        • Implement plan to expand deployment of campus security cameras

        • Create and equip Education model classroom

        • Renovate ST 169 as interactive, high-tech lab space

        • Implement redesigned hiring processes to increase diversity and equity

      • Action Items AY25

        • Secure capital and HEAPR funding for first phase of facility redesign

        • Complete revitalization of SM 169, the Model Classroom, ST classrooms, and the BA 314 spaces

        • Initiate detailed planning for BA 319 and other identified future classroom projects

        • Plan and implement campus enhancements

        • Launch Title IX campaign to identify resources

        • Train RAs on DEI and Title IX strategies

        • Implementing Parent Navigator program

        • Host COMET (Changing our Mental & Emotional Trajectory) interactive training

    • Goal 2: Provide an innovative and accessible technological environment that supports University community success.
      • Accomplishments AY22
        • Implement Quinncia (AI tool for resumes and mock interviews)
      • Accomplishments AY23
        • Enhance and expand classroom technology capabilities
        • Implement Alertus notification system
      • Accomplishments AY24
        • IInitiate support for integration of AI tools
        • Enhance accessibility services planning (classroom audio; captioning)
        • Increase Quinncia usage; promote with faculty and with online learners
        • Implement Slate CRM
        • Install Zoom Phones
      • Action Items AY25

        • Initiate a pilot project involving Microsoft CoPilot for faculty and staff seeking to integrate AI tools into their activities

        • Implement a new service management tool to enhance operations of both the ITS and Facilities areas. 

        • Initiate exploration of including other areas of the University

        • Support the System Academic and Student Affairs division’s pre-planning efforts associated with developing a comprehensive scope of work with Workday

    • Goal 3:  Emphasize the creation of an environment that supports inclusive lifelong learning processes across the University community.
      • Accomplishments AY22
        • Provide programming for professional development of faculty and staff
      • Accomplishments AY24

        • Develop onboarding Program

    • Goal 4: Promote student, faculty, and staff physical and psychological well-being and engagement.
      • Accomplishments AY24
        • Increase funding for Mustang Market
        • Administer student basic needs survey (Hope Center/system office initiative)
        • Increase mental health resources for online students
        • Implement Stand and Move initiative
      • Action Items AY25

        • Administer Healthy Minds assessment for faculty/staff (Univ of Michigan)

    • Goal 5: Develop, implement and routinely review mechanisms and controls that support broad-based administrative and financial management planning.
        • Accomplishments AY22
          • Fund fulltime CDO position and DEI training for faculty/staff.
        • Accomplishments AY23
          • Match leveraged funds to purchase over $1M in academic equipment (AY22 & AY23)
          • Hold successful M4L Days to support campus programs
        • Accomplishments AY24
          • Establish systematic review of policies and procedures to ensure currency and equity
        • Action Items AY25

        • Complete review of programs to assess viability and guide resource allocation

Priority 6

Increase enrollment and improve retention. Create and maintain academic and student affairs partnerships to increase and retain enrollment.

Goals

    • Goal 1: Develop and strengthen joint ventures with two-year colleges to provide students with desirable degree-completion opportunities.
      • Accomplishments AY22
        • Offer MBA to Slumberland Office Complex (Oakdale, MN)
        • Establish partnership with San Juan College (NM)
      • Accomplishments AY23
        • Establish Nigerian MBA partnership
      • Action Items AY25
        • Identify 1-2 new partnerships to address this goal
    • Goal 2: Appropriate resources for maintaining and strengthening both graduate and undergraduate academic partnerships to enhance enrollment.
      • Accomplishments AY24
        • Create committee to oversee online education
      • Action Items AY25
        • Strengthen partnership with INTEC (Dominican Republic)
    • Goal 3: Assess effectiveness of academic partnerships to improve enrollment management initiatives (such as recruitment, retention, persistence rate, graduation rate) for both graduate and undergraduate programs.
    • Goal 4: Support and enhance current and new initiatives designed to increase student access, success, and retention.
      • Accomplishments AY22
        • Implement SUCCESS program for at-risk students
      • Accomplishments AY23
        • Hire second SUCCESS coach
      • Accomplishments AY24
        • Create Ugrad-Grad pathway: 4+1 MBA
        • Launch Opt-on initiative to incentivize living on campus
        • Support SUCCESS program beyond grant period
      • Action Items AY25
        • Complete Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
        • Complete additional renovation and improvements on Residence Halls

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