DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE Bridge Plan for Strategic Priorities, 2015-2017 1. PROGRAM GROWTH AND INNOVATION 1.a. Identify Strategic Enrollment Initiatives ~ GSLIS realizes increases in student recruitment and enrollment and associated programmatic capacity ~ Employers hire DU graduates who have competencies to meet workplace needs ~ DU recognized as a higher education institution that prepares students to enter the library and information professions Enrollment Plan Actions Who Timeline Outcome Measures Conduct enrollment study of GSLIS degree programs to development recruitment targets and marketing strategies GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean in consultation with Director of Graduate Recruitment Study developed and completed by Spring 2016 Identify and implement appropriate formula for faculty and staff growth in relation to enrollment growth GSLIS Dean, Provost, and Senior VP for Finance and Administration Formula created and approved by Provost and VP for Finance by Spring 2016 Study implementation of new degrees and resulting career possibilities to further match GSLIS Dean, Asst. Dean, and designated faculty in consultation with Director of Spring 2017 Feasibility and demographic study completed by Spring 2017 1
student gender, race, and ethnicity with the overall compositions of undergraduate and graduate education populations Graduate Recruitment and Director of Institutional Research Pursue program endowment for graduate degree programs, with particular focus on scholarships for underrepresented groups GSLIS Dean in consultation with University Advancement Ongoing Endowment grant submission plan established and 3 new gifts and/or funding sources realized each year Implement recommended strategies from enrollment study GSLIS Dean, Asst. Dean in consultation with Director of Graduate Recruitment and OMC Spring 2017 and Successful strategies identified and implemented by Spring 2017; enrollment targets met or exceeded 1.b. Launch New Degrees ~ GSLIS achieves greater institutional stability with expanded course offerings ~ Faculty are fully prepared to teach in new formats and with new audiences ~ Prospective students provided with job-readiness career opportunities ~ Employers hire DU graduates who have competencies to meet workplace needs ~ DU recognized as a higher education institution that prepares students to enter the library and information professions ~ GSLIS realizes increases in student recruitment and enrollment New Degrees Create strategic pipeline that aligns GSLIS undergraduate and graduate degrees Fall 2015 and Applications for GSLIS graduate programs from DU undergraduates increases by 10% each year Discuss and recommend role, function and place of the GSLIS academic programs in with Provost Fall 2015/Spring 2016 GSLIS staff and faculty participate on task forces/committees to establish clear identity for GSLIS and are appointed to leadership roles in university s 2
relation to university initiatives, particularly in relation to DU academic restructuring academic realignment Create and implement new marketing and branding for GSLIS overall program Plan and implement faculty development plan towards the needs of new degrees, i.e. online teaching, new student populations, etc. GSLIS Dean, Asst. Dean, and faculty with VP for Marketing with the DU Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Spring/Summer 2016 and Cohesive academic brand and marketing initiatives are successfully developed and launched by Spring 2016 Faculty demonstrate new competencies in course development and delivery BS Informatics Complete approval process for BS Informatics degree (i.e., GSLIS Curriculum Comm., GSLIS faculty, DU Curriculum Comm., DU administration/bot) GSLIS Dean and Asst. Profs Hamerly and Kowalczyk, in consultation with GSLIS faculty and Provost Summer/Fall 2015 Degree approved by Fall 2015 Establish BS-Informatics Advisory Board GSLIS Dean Fall 2015 8-10 professionals agree to serve on Advisory Board; Board is established by Fall 2015 Develop recruitment and marketing plan GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean, in consultation with OMC Fall 2015 Collaboration with OMC results in recruitment and marketing plan developed by Fall 2015 Implement BS Informatics degree GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean in collaboration with Enrollment Management 10 students declare informatics major by Fall 2016 Year 1 evaluation and, in consultation with Office of Spring 2017 BS Informatics faculty, staff, university administrators, and students review evaluation data and recommend 3
preparation for Year 2 Academic Assessment changes for Year 2, as needed MS Information Management (MSIM) Complete approval process for MSIM degree (i.e., GSLIS Curriculum Comm., GSLIS faculty, DU Curriculum Comm., DU administration/board of Trustees) GSLIS Dean and Asst. Prof Kowalczyk, in consultation with GSLIS faculty and Provost Summer/Fall 2015 Degree approved by Fall 2015 Develop recruitment and marketing plan GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean, in consultation with OMC Fall 2015 Collaboration with OMC results in recruitment and marketing plan developed by Fall 2015 Implement MSIM degree GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean in collaboration with Enrollment Management 8 students enroll in MSIM degree program by Fall 2016 Year 1 evaluation and preparation for Year 2, in consultation with Office of Academic Assessment Spring 2017 MSIM faculty, staff, university administrators, and students review evaluation data and recommend changes for Year 2, as needed 4
1.c. Maximize Online MLIS Offerings ~ Prospective students needs and interest for online degree met ~ GSLIS recruitment of new students expands ~ Faculty increase scheduling options and teaching / learning proficiencies ~ GSLIS realizes cost savings Online MLIS Audit current online course offerings Fall 2015 Successful identification of number of current online courses and percentages in content areas in relation to career preparation by Fall 2015 Determine program design elements (e.g., residency requirement, required courses/cognate areas, advising, curriculum, online student orientation) task force Fall 2015 Overall program design completed by Spring 2016 Package online program Plan and implement faculty development plan towards the needs of new degrees, i.e. online teaching, new student populations, etc. task force with the DU Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Spring/Summer 2016 and Cohesive and consumer-oriented online program developed based on program design; design completed by Summer 2016 Faculty demonstrate new competencies in course development and delivery as evidenced through course design and implementation beginning Summer 2016 Develop recruitment and marketing GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean, in consultation with OMC Collaboration with OMC results in recruitment and marketing plan by Spring 2016 Launch fully online MLIS GSLIS Dean and Asst. Dean 8 students enroll in online MLIS program option by 5
program option in collaboration with Enrollment Management Spring 2017 Evaluate Year 1 and prepare for Year 2, in consultation with Office of Academic Assessment Spring 2017 GSLIS faculty, staff, university administrators, and students review evaluation data and recommend changes for Year 2, as needed 1.d. Improve MLIS Program Operations ~ Administrative efficiency of program operations increased ~ Faculty expertise utilized more effectively ~ Students experience more consistency with program offerings MLIS Program Operations Evaluate programmatic administration of MLIS program GSLIS Dean, office staff, and faculty evaluate strategies to maximize student enrollment in courses (e.g., cohort-based MLIS, course scheduling, annual vs. continuous admissions) Fall 2015 Strategies identified and prioritized in a plan by end of Fall 2015 Conduct curricular budget audit GSLIS Dean with Business Affairs Office and Provost Audit completed by Summer 2016 Develop enrollment forecasts for MLIS GSLIS Dean in consultation with Enrollment Management Enrollment plan created by Summer 2016 Consider program design options Design options identified by Summer 2016 Implement results of review process GSLIS office and faculty Fall 2017 Strategies for improved program operations implemented beginning Fall 2017 6
1.e. Restructure PhD Program ~ Prospective doctoral students recognize DU s competitive tuition rate ~ PhD students expand their involvement in full GSLIS academic ladder ~ MLIS students have expanded and enhanced course offerings ~ GSLIS realizes cost efficiencies with improved faculty teaching load PhD Program Develop Board of Trustees proposal for new tuition fee structure GSLIS Dean and PhD Program Director with Provost and Senior VP for Finance and Administration Fall 2015/Spring 2016 (Fall 2017: new tuition structure implemented, pending BOT approval) New tuition fee proposed to Board of Trustees at Spring 2016 meeting; in place for Fall 2017 term Leverage PhD student teaching opportunities throughout the school s programs Dean and PhD Program Director and 3 PhD students teach in BS informatics program each semester beginning Spring 2016 PhD courses suitable for MLIS student enrollment PhD Program Director in consultation with faculty Fall 2015 (Fall 2017: MLIS enrollment in PhD courses, pending BOT approval of new tuition structure) List of PhD courses suitable for MLIS enrollment created by Fall 2015 Investigate collaborative PhD with other DU graduate schools GSLIS Dean and PhD Program Director in consultation with Provost and other DU Deans Fall 2017 Proposal for collaborative/interdisciplinary PhD developed by Spring 2018 7
2. PARTNERSHIPS 2.a. Increase Internships and Practicums ~ Students gain firsthand work experience ~ Students develop job networking opportunities ~ GSLIS program administrators and faculty strengthen and expand professional contacts Actions Who Timeline Outcome Measures Internships and Practicums Expand GSLIS Career Coordinator to full-time position GSLIS Dean and appointed search committee Full-time Career Coordinator position/responsibilities established by Summer 2016 Expand partnerships with Chicago metropolitan area libraries, information organizations, and businesses to support BS-Informatics, MLIS, and MSIM degree programs with GSLIS Career Coordinator Summer 2016/Fall 2016 15-20 new partnerships developed by Fall 2016 Review, and revise as needed, the purpose and functions of GSLIS Advisory Board and GSLIS Alumni Council GSLIS Dean ; New functions and roles prepared and implemented for GSLIS Advisory Board and GSLIS Alumni Council by Summer 2016; implement needed changes Fall 2016 8
2.b. Create Program Offerings With Other Higher Education Institutions ~ DU and partnering institutions leverage program resources and costs through collaboration ~ DU and partnering institutions expand recruitment and marketing opportunities ~ Students at DU and partnering institutions increase their educational options Higher Education Partnerships Address the possibility of partnership relationships in geographic areas currently lacking local ALA-accredited programs. GSLIS Dean 2 geographic areas for program partnerships identified by Spring 2016 Explore feasibility of interdisciplinary joint degree graduate and undergraduate degrees with area colleges and universities (e.g., publishing/content creation with DePaul University GSLIS Dean and designated faculty 1 new potential interdisciplinary joint degree program with another college or university identified by Spring 2016 Investigate and submit grant applications that support joint degree GSLIS Dean with designated faculty in consultation with DU Director of Sponsored Research /Spring 2017 1 grant application prepared and submitted in collaboration with another higher education institution by Spring 2017 9
2c. Expand International Collaborations ~ DU recruitment opportunities increase ~ GSLIS aligns with university academic priority related to international program development ~ Faculty research expanded through international networking ~ Student learning experiences enhanced and diversified ~ Faculty and students at institutions in other countries expand learning and research opportunities International Partnerships Invite and accept visiting scholars Ongoing (Fall 2015: Zhongyi Guo, East China Normal University) GSLIS 1 visiting scholar each year beginning Fall 2015 Work with external educational organizations to increase international student recruitment GSLIS Dean and Asst. Prof. Gao continue work with external recruitment agent Fall 2015/Spring 2016 Work with external education organizations results in enrollment of 3 new international students in GSLIS programs each year beginning Fall 2016 Expand GSLIS international experiential course offerings investigate and create new offerings 2 new international experiential courses established for AY2016-2017 Maximize scholarship and endowment opportunities, in conjunction with DU Advancement Office Fall 2015/Spring 2016 5 scholarship opportunities to support GSLIS student enrollment in international experiential courses created beginning Fall 2016 Review and revitalize World Libraries GSLIS Dean, faculty, and current World Libraries editor Plan for revitalizing World Libraries developed by Spring 2017 10
3. EMERGING LEARNING AND INNOVATION SKILLS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM 3.a. Enhance Theory-to-Practice Learning ~ Students gain firsthand, real world experience ~ Practitioners increase awareness and understanding of career preparedness of information and library professionals ~ GSLIS faculty and program administrators engage practitioners in development of student learning experiences Actions Who Timeline Outcome Measures Maximize e-portfolio as a Learning Tool Hold annual data summit to review e-portfolio results in relation to program s learning outcomes Fall 2015/Fall 2016/Fall 2017 Data summit held on an annual basis beginning Fall 2015 Revise course content and pedagogies based on data summit results GSLIS faculty Recommended improvements implemented each academic year beginning Spring 2016 Capstone Activities Review potential capstone experiences that foster theoryto-practice Evaluate and implement Fall 2017 Strategies identified and prioritized by Summer 2016 Strategies implemented in AY2017-2018 11
capstone options Practitioners Participation in Student Learning Activities Investigate opportunities and challenges to increasing practitioners participation in student learning activities GSLIS Dean with GSLIS Advisory Board and Alumni Council Identify potential strategies and initiatives to increase practitioners participation by Spring 2016 Develop action plan to integrate more practitioner participation in student learning GSLIS Dean, GSLIS Advisory Board, GSLIS Alumni Council, and faculty Action plan developed by Fall 2016 and implement Spring 2017 3b. Implement Strategies To Assure New Competency Areas Are Integrated Into Curriculum ~ Students learn competencies essential for current and projected career opportunities (e.g., gaming, team work) ~ Faculty acquire strategies to adapt course content on a continuous basis ~ DU recognized as a higher education institution that prepares students to enter the information and library professions New Competency Areas Conduct regular environmental scans to identify and monitor professional trends (Spring: annual Think Tank with representatives of stakeholder groups; Fall: annual faculty retreat to consider and implement new competency areas into curriculum as needed; Fall and Spring: 2 of 4 GSLIS Advisory Council GSLIS Dean, faculty, GSLIS Advisory Board, and designated stakeholder groups Spring 2016/Spring 2017: annual Think Tank; Fall 2015/Fall 2016/ Fall 2017: annual faculty retreat; Fall and Spring 2015/Fall and Spring 2016/Fall Trends identified and communicated to GSLIS faculty and university administrators each academic year beginning Fall 2015 12
meetings focus on news trend/competency areas) Establish a Youth Services Advisory Council to advise and plan youth services curriculum Assoc. Prof. Del Negro with designated GSLIS faculty and Spring 2017: Advisory Council meetings Fall 2015 and Youth Services Advisory Council established and meets, as scheduled, throughout each academic year Utilize expertise of instructional designer to work with faculty as they develop and revise course content and formats GSLIS faculty and instructional designer and Instructional design improvements demonstrated in courses beginning Fall 2016 13