Northeastern State University Charting the Second Century: 2011/2014 Working Draft Strategic Goals Approved for distribution by the University Planning Group November 20, 2009
The following Working Draft Strategic Goals are derived directly from the Mission, Vision, and Values of Northeastern State University.
Definition of working draft strategic goals: A working draft has received serious and meaningful consideration by a group of individuals who are interested in the topic and represent a range of university units, organizations and stakeholder groups. It is a work in progress that is to be exposed to a broader spectrum of those stakeholders, including university organizations and individuals. These strategic goals will be considered working drafts until they have been fully reviewed by the university community and our colleagues in each of the units to ensure full communication and consideration of all feedback.
Strategic Goals in this document (Charting the Second Century: 2010/2014) are fully articulated statements designed to provide meaningful and adequate direction in the development of academic and administrative unit Five Year Growth and Development Plan updates, with the intention that our colleagues throughout the university will provide critical and important input in charting the future of the university. The final “Charting the Second Century: 2010/2014” will be completed after full two-way communication with university stakeholders and with all units in a collaborative effort.
The two components of the Culture of Learning and Discovery are inextricably bound (interwoven). Together, these two components form the basis for developing intellectual inquiry on a university campus. Learning implies that each of us at Northeastern State is interested in promoting learning among all individuals within the university community (not just students). It also implies that learning is an important investment for Northeastern State and that we all have a personal interest in the success of learners (including student success, faculty success and staff success). Discovery is multifaceted and relies not only on traditional research, but also takes the forms of basic, applied, action research, synergistic experiences, observational opportunities and community oriented service.
An institution that embraces a culture of learning and discovery:
Sustainable communities can be communities of interest (e.g., the arts, business, education) and/or communities of geography (e.g., Northeastern State University, Cherokee County, Green Country).
On campus this entails adopting practices to reduce, re-use and recycle as they apply to all resources. We will model the way in innovative and best sustainability practices on campus to reduce our carbon footprint, and share them with others off-campus.
Through a holistic, systems-thinking approach in Northeastern State’s external service area, faculty experts, student interns, and research teams will be coordinated to address the breadth and depth of leadership capacity building as well as sustainability-based community planning, development, commercial, social and cultural opportunities that ultimately define the quality of life on our campuses and across the region. By encouraging economic improvement through community capacity building and sustainability best practices, communities will generate resources that may be applied to resolve sociologic problems and enhancing cultural development.
An institution that embraces sustainability practices on campus and in its service region:
Our commitment to inclusion, collaboration and shared leadership is designed to harness the power of diverse skills, backgrounds, experiences and capabilities of our many stakeholders. Our commitment to these values drives the way we act, how we treat each other and how we make decisions in every aspect of university life.
A culture that embraces inclusion encourages all to feel that he or she is a valued member of our larger community, and that each individual’s contributions to the university is recognized, welcomed, and respected. Collaboration encourages and rewards cooperation across functions/ colleges/departments, among faculty, staff, students, and alumni, among leaders and associates at all levels of the organization, across our three campuses, and between internal and external constituents. Shared leadership provides meaningful opportunities for input from all stakeholders, builds mutual trust and ensures transparency in decision-making.
An institution that embraces inclusion, collaboration and shared leadership:
Civic engagement at Northeastern State University is individual commitment to act on one’s obligation to the larger community. This is achieved by taking personal and social responsibility through study, reflection and necessary action in our individual fields of interest and in our communities. Civic engagement requires working together collaboratively with civility toward a common purpose to create positive change.
Civic engagement, in the Northeastern State community, can be defined as demonstrating these attributes: moral and ethical leadership, concern for the rest of the world, awareness of social, political, and economic issues within the United States and globally, advocacy for a cause, active community support and a commitment to “making place matter.”
An institution that embraces a commitment to civic engagement:
In order to prepare our students to experience success in an increasingly globalized world, we must provide opportunities that promote an understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence of human and environmental processes around the world. Global literacy will provide our students with an international perspective that enables them to respond more effectively to challenges and engage in opportunities.
Cultural sensitivity not only requires global knowledge but also the ability to view a situation from diverse perspectives and to communicate and interact appropriately and effectively with people from different cultures
An institution that embraces a global knowledge and cultural sensitivity:
A center for cultural enrichment and entertainment is achieved by promoting and advancing the fine and performing arts, NCAA intercollegiate athletics, lectures, university student organization programs and recreational co-curricular activities.
Through these activities Northeastern State will act as a preferred destination for visitors and serve a dual function of enhancing regional economic development through visitors’ expenditures while providing an exceptional experience for those who participate in our activities and events.
An institution that embraces a commitment to cultural enrichment and entertainment:
Contributing Team members
Our institutional goals will be enhanced through effectively managing our resources. This will be accomplished by committing to the development of our faculty and staff, combining efficiency and environmental responsibilities, developing our physical and technical infrastructure, significantly increasing the resource base, and committing to a university- wide environment which promotes customer-driven, quality programs.
This goal represents a significant challenge in light of declining state funding, dynamic changes in technology, and a history of deferred maintenance. The near term requires programs addressing quality, customer service, efficiency and prioritization. Major funding campaigns are essential for the long term achievement of the university's mission and vision.
An institution committed to creating a growing, vibrant, sustainable university community: