Office of Institutional Effectiveness

2006-11 Strategic Planning Priorities and Progress

Enhancing Academic Excellence and Scholarship

The strategic directions described below relate to enhancing academic excellence, which also depends upon careful planning and judicious allocation of resources to allow

growth in targeted disciplines/areas
hiring and retaining outstanding faculty members
recognition of, and rewards for, excellence in teaching and scholarship (including the scholarship of teaching and learning)

Achieving academic excellence will require an increased focus on student learning in and out of the classroom and on the use of assessment of student learning to drive improvement. Academic excellence will also require the creation of a scholarly and learning community that is student-centered and encourages a wide range of interactions in teaching and learning between faculty, students, and staff.

Promoting the Success of All Students

In the recent WASC accreditation process, California State University, Fresno, was commended as a “national model for institutions interested in becoming generators of social mobility, economic development, and student success.” Continued improvement in student success (especially the success of the highly diverse, predominantly first-generation student body that we serve) is an important campus strategic direction.

Strategies (in PDF):
Performance Indicators
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Report
2008-09 Progress Report
2009-10 Progress Report

Strengthen student centered programs, services and outcomes
Focus on programs and services that increase retention and graduation rates
Effective and proactive advising, mentoring, learning support services, and the effective use of technology in advising (including “Academic Roadmaps”)
Create an environment that embraces innovation and continuous quality improvement to meet the needs of students effectively
Support a welcoming atmosphere that maintains facilities and creates spaces for informal learning and social interactions
Create and enforce policies that support student success
Engage students with the campus and community through service learning, involvement in clubs and organizations, research, internships, and other methods
Develop and enhance programs that improve opportunities for academic success for student athletes, first generation students, students from historically underrepresented groups, and students with special needs
Encourage alumni involvement in the promotion of student success
Develop an expanded new-student orientation program which focuses on the retention of students
Develop clear collaboration processes between Academic and Student Affairs focused on supporting student success
Provide accessible technologies to students with disabilities; e.g. Web, talking books, special software, etc.

Advancing Graduate Education

This institution will increase its graduate programs, including those at the doctoral level. This growth will be accompanied by improvements aimed at achieving excellence in graduate programs and consequent national and international recognition.

Advancements in graduate education will support a regional profile for professional development and scholarship on the campus and address the needs of the region for research expertise. In recent years, our faculty has dramatically increased external grant support from federal and state agencies and foundations. We must build on this achievement to expand support for research and to expand our ability to assist faculty seeking increased funding.

Strategies (in PDF):
Performance Indicators
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Report
2008-09 Progress Report

Recruit graduate students aggressively and increase graduate student enrollment in selected programs
Develop and fund additional masters degrees and selected new doctoral programs in support of regional needs
Address faculty work-load issues and increase support for graduate teaching and advising
Increase support for transformational scholarly activities, engagement and research, including funding for graduate teaching associates and research assistantships
Focus on linking research, scholarly activity, and student experiences to regional issues
Initiate improvements that promote a graduate culture on campus to include creating appropriate space for graduate instruction, learning research, and personal interaction
Promote collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs to ensure timely, efficient, and student-friendly graduate admissions and advancement to candidacy procedures; and develop additional graduate student services

Using Technology to Advance all Aspects

of University Life

When the various technology initiatives currently underway are complete, the university will possess a robust technology infrastructure. If we are to become national leaders in the effective application of technology, we must make appropriate use of that infrastructure to transform the way we do our work through: the use of automation to make the best use of human resources; seamless use of technology, enhanced communication; innovative uses of all media, especially in teaching; assure that technology is accessible to all students, and assisting students to become engaged in the learning process.

Strategies (in PDF):
Performance Indicators
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Reprot
2008-09 Progress Report
2009-10 Progress Report

Improve and expand the university’s web presence
Ensure students are technologically proficient at graduation
Enhance student learning through the increased and effective use of on-line and web-enhanced courses and reward faculty for improving student learning through the use of technology
Embrace and adopt technology to improve the lives of all members of the university community and help them to manage their workloads
Remove barriers to the use of technology by faculty and staff and provide new structures that support collaboration
Continue to explore innovative uses of technology to ensure efficient, timely and convenient on-line services that allow all members of the university community to manage routine administrative processes
Expand accessible technology for the entire campus community

Engaging with the Region

Engagement is one of the primary missions of the University. The university demonstrates its commitment to engagement through its administrative structure, through university community policies and procedures designed to facilitate outreach and engagement activities, and by increasing the number of external partnerships and alliances. There is strong and growing evidence of the translation and transfer of new knowledge to external audiences and diverse entities. We will use our public and private resources to engage the region and our alumni in order to:

Create a healthier New California
Advance world class agriculture
Transform the economy and create new businesses and jobs
Educate our children
Honor the arts and culture of the region

In addition, the University will engage the region by making the campus a welcoming and accessible place for everyone through the services of the Library , by administering a Division One athletic program that seeks national recognition for athletic and academic performance, and by offering a broad range of arts and cultural opportunities for citizens of the Valley.

Strategies (in PDF):
Performance Indicators
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Report
2008-09 Progress Report
2009-10 Progress Report

Support campus centers and institutes that align faculty, staff, and student research and expertise with the needs of the community
Coordinate efficient and effective on- and off-campus outreach and engagement activities to maximize effectiveness and efficiency
Ensure easy access for campus visitors and create comprehensive and easily understandable signage and other navigational help
Strengthen the capabilities and capacity of our professional schools and colleges
Enhance collaborative partnerships with the K-12 schools districts in our region
Work with regional employers to provide learning experiences for our students in a professional environment
Engage students, faculty, and staff in direct service to our community through community service-learning, community-based research, professional service, and other forms of civic and community engagement
Continue to support outreach services that allow potential students from all demographics of the region to access higher education
Become a regional leader in environmentally responsible operations; developing sustainable facilities; and advancing research in clean air, water, and energy initiatives
Encourage members of the university community to get involved in philanthropic activities
Actively engage and connect alumni with the university

Developing a Diverse and Global Perspective

Our region must take full advantage of our diverse populations. We will prepare all our students to function in a global economy and work and live in an increasingly internationalized environment. The university will encourage international students and academics to study, teach, and conduct research on campus in order to foster global understanding and international awareness. It will support programs that provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to participate in academic study abroad and other international experiences.

Strategies (in PDF):
Performance Indicators
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Report
2008-09 Progress Report
2009-10 Progress Report

Encourage and support international experiences for all members of the university community in support of the region
Increase support for, and participation in, study-abroad programs
Increase our international student enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate level
Develop collaborative partnerships with international institutions
Foster international collaborative research in areas of global significance
Include diverse and international perspectives in undergraduate and graduate curricula
Celebrate regional arts and culture through innovative centers and institutes
Develop strategies and offer learning experiences that will assist students to become culturally competent
Give students opportunities to apply their cultural competence to regional issues

Generating Private and External Support

State support makes Fresno State a very good university. As state funds comprise a smaller proportion of the university’s budget, it will be private support that will make us great.

Strategies (in PDF):
2008-09 Progress (based on progress through June 30, 2008)
2009-10 Progress

Develop a culture of philanthropy to support the university’s mission.
Plan and undertake a comprehensive campaign to generate private, state, and federal support for the priorities identified in the strategic plan
Set a clear and consistent vision for Fresno State’s image and reputation among the key constituencies of the university and establish a dramatic and memorable visual identity for the campus
Ensure the communication of the university’s image through an institution-wide program of branding and marketing
Promote and enhance programs and services on campus that have the potential to attract private support

Developing Our University Community

Members of the university community–students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and friends—enable the university to take advantage of its unique strengths to serve students and engage the region. We do so by engaging in collaborative and inclusive decision-making processes and creating a culture that values integrity, learning, excellence and service. We will support an environment that challenges all members of the university community to engage in continuing development opportunities that align personal and departmental goals with the priorities of the strategic plan and advance the university mission. We will create and implement ways to enhance the student experience and to provide role models for life-long learning and collegiality.

Strategies (in PDF):
2006-07 Progress Report
2007-08 Progress Report
2008-09 Progress Report
2009-10 Progress Report

Create and support continuing professional development for faculty and staff to implement the priorities and strategies of the campus strategic plan.
Promote enhanced service orientation that delivers the highest quality of service to every internal and external customer.
Challenge each member of the university community to act with integrity as stewards of the university’s human, financial and physical assets.
Foster a welcoming, culturally inclusive, and engaged campus community.
Identify strategies to ensure that all university employees are part of a culture of learning.
Recognize and reward outstanding efforts in support of the university’s mission.
Provide training and support for faculty, staff and students to engage in all areas of research, outreach, and community service-learning opportunities both locally and globally.
Demonstrate our respect for all employees by administering collective bargaining agreements fairly and effectively.

Previous 1 2 3 4

2006-11 Strategic Planning Priorities and Progress

Enhancing Academic Excellence and Scholarship

Related Links:

Promoting the Success of All Students

Advancing Graduate Education

Using Technology to Advance all Aspects

of University Life

Engaging with the Region

Developing a Diverse and Global Perspective

Generating Private and External Support

Developing Our University Community

Related Links:

Resource Links

Campus Links