Strategic Priority #2

Enhance academic and operational excellence

Goal: Build a cohesive internal structure that maintains academic rigor, fosters innovation, and ensures operational efficiency. Streamline processes, align resources, and deepen collaboration to support long-term success and adaptability.

Strategy 1: Strengthen Academic Excellence Across Programs

1. Implement a structured, data-driven review process for all programs and courses to ensure alignment with industry trends, student needs, and workforce demands while maintaining academic rigor, media ethics, and critical inquiry. Regular assessments will evaluate curricular relevance, faculty effectiveness, and overall program impact.
2. Reorganize and realign degree programs to reinforce interdisciplinary learning while maintaining a strong foundation in analytical depth and theoretical inquiry. This includes creating standalone Bachelor of Science degrees in advertising, public relations, and sports media, consolidating theoretical concentrations, and ensuring curricula remain competitive by integrating academic rigor alongside industry advancements.
3. Strategically invest in key programs to deepen interdisciplinary connections, align with industry trends, and improve student outcomes. Develop program roadmaps to shape a clear vision for the future of each program and ensure a balanced integration of analytical depth, ethical reasoning, and applied skills, equipping students with both technical expertise and a strong intellectual foundation.
4. Expand and innovate graduate programs in high-demand areas like strategic communication, data journalism, and digital media production, with a focus on research methodology, critical analysis, and media theory. Consider adapting existing concentrations into standalone degrees. Incorporate 4+1 accelerated pathways to provide students flexible, efficient routes to advanced degrees that blend applied skills with intellectual engagement.
5. Enhance teaching quality by reallocating faculty lines, increasing faculty in high-demand areas, and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships. Refocus the adjunct faculty model to leverage expertise in higher-level courses, with expanded onboarding, support, and engagement. Ensure all faculty receive professional development to implement effective teaching strategies and maintain high instructional standards.
6. Integrate industry-relevant technologies into curricula to ensure students develop proficiency in tools used across media industries, such as data-driven content creation, digital media production, and emerging media technologies. Balance technical skill development with coursework that challenges students to critically evaluate the implications of these technologies on society, media ethics, and public discourse.

Strategy 2: Build a Cohesive and Effective Internal Structure

1. Clarify roles within the Dean’s Cabinet and establish program directors for each academic program to enhance leadership, coordination, and alignment between academic and operational decision-making, ensuring a more strategic and efficient governance structure.
2. Reinforce decision-making structures with integrated planning committees that bring together academic leaders, department heads, and operational staff to plan, implement, and evaluate changes aligned with strategic priorities.
3. Implement data-driven systems to track program performance, resource utilization, and faculty workload, enabling informed decisions on course scheduling, faculty assignments, and resource distribution to optimize efficiency.
4. Create school-wide committees and initiatives that foster collaboration on curriculum development, research projects, and program coordination, promoting interdisciplinary teaching and resource sharing.
5. Expand professional development programs for faculty and staff, focusing on both academic and operational skills to support continuous growth and ensure they are equipped to meet the school’s growing needs.

Strategy 3: Streamline Operations and Ensure Efficiency

1. Streamline and centralize internal operational processes, including course scheduling, resource allocation, and equipment management, to reduce inefficiencies. This will ensure that administrative tasks do not impede the school’s ability to deliver high-quality education and support faculty research.
2. Invest in integrated systems for managing media equipment, software, and online tools, while providing robust tech training and support to ensure seamless access for faculty and students.
3. Implement real-time, transparent reporting systems to provide faculty, staff, and administrators with data on student progress, resource usage, and operational performance, enabling informed decision-making across the school.
4. Create long-term, sustainable financial models by diversifying revenue streams through corporate partnerships, grants, and new revenue-generating initiatives such as the student media agency and summer camp programs.
5. Develop and implement sustainable enrollment strategies to ensure long-term growth and stability. Focus on data-driven enrollment management practices that align with academic offerings and institutional goals.

Strategy 4: Foster an Inclusive and Collaborative Internal Culture

1. Break down silos between departments and foster a team-oriented environment where faculty, staff, and students work together across disciplines and roles. Form cross-functional teams to plan and implement major changes, ensuring that both academic and operational efforts are aligned and supported by all relevant stakeholders.
2. Improve communication across departments, faculty, and staff by holding regular forums with agendas, pre-reads, and time for speakers and questions. Foster transparency, encourage difficult conversations, and ensure productive dialogue that aligns with the school’s mission and goals.
3. Regularly recognize faculty and staff contributions, aligning recognition with compensation structures to motivate continued excellence and engagement.
4. Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for both faculty and staff, ensuring they have the resources, support, and training needed to thrive in their roles and contribute to the school’s success.