Vision 2.0 Open Forum – Wrap Up November 2 & 3, 2017

Re-grounding in the 2016 – 2020 strategic plan Goal of the Engagement Process: To better define our collective vision for the future and align our limited resources behind those strategies that will help us to be most successful in achieving our goals

UMA Mission & Vision Statements UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on- site education; excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs *note, the name “Maine State University” was not approved for use by the Board of Trustees The University of Maine at Augusta will become Maine State University*, a recognized national leader in distance education. Through innovation and collaboration, we will deliver undergraduate and graduate programs, on-site and at a distance, that prepare our students to succeed as engaged citizens, professionals and leaders

UMA values… Survey Question #1, word cloud

Feedback from The Vision QueStions …

Feedback on the vision questions: Participation Roundtables, 180 plus participants 3 each, Augusta & Bangor, different times/days/weeks 1 each UC Centers, plus UC Management & ID Teams Student General Assembly Faculty Senate Alumni Association Civic Engagement Advocacy Comm First Survey, 114 participants Total Participation, ~ 300 Survey 1 Participation

Students: Challenges SGA sponsored roundtable Lack of student gathering/recreation spaces Limited or no food service Food insecurity for some students Lack of safe, affordable housing Technology outdated Low student retention, “We can see the graduation rates, but no one is talking about it with us”

Students: Values represented by vision sga sponsored roundtable Focus is online and non-traditional students What about the f2f and traditional student experience? Role of UC Centers in the vision/mission missing

Students: Learning experience sga sponsored roundtable Choice of modality: f2f or distance Consistency of experience regardless of modality Improved distance modality Real time interaction/response Improved training for faculty, students and staff in technology Civic engagement, experiential & service learning Hands on/real world learning assignments Internships, volunteer activities, service learning trips

Students: Student support sga sponsored roundtable Proactive faculty advising Awareness of student services & how to access Career counseling Alumni mentors

Students: spaces that build community sga sponsored roundtable Recreation/gathering spaces Residence halls Affordable living arrangements & meal plans Athletic facilities for our student athletes

Students: Value of UMA Degree sga sponsored roundtable Build confidence in self and ability Preparation for graduate school or work Develop soft skills need for the workplace Competitive credential; strong reputation in community

Faculty: Challenges faculty senate sponsored roundtable Enrollment/Retention Investment in Faculty Time to focus on students, pedagogy and advising Administrative, IT & instructional design support Professional development opportunities Ratio of full-time to part-time faculty Departmental support for adjunct faculty

Faculty: values Represented by the vision faculty senate sponsored roundtable Tension: Who are we? diversity of modalities, populations versus Wherever you are – whenever you’re ready

Faculty: teaching & advising faculty senate sponsored roundtable Quality across all modalities, not just online Focus on pedagogy, “knowing content and knowing how to teach it are two different things” Share best practices Consistency, but “standardize structure, not pedagogy” “Faculty should audit faculty” – peer driven Proactive advising to improve retention Form connections with students

Faculty: Other observations faculty senate sponsored roundtable Create a sense of community Engage students in activities Employ badging Community service; co-curricular activities

Voices from survey I & roundtables students, faculty, staff, alumni, BOV and others Pedagogy, distance ed best practices Consistency of experience, BlackBoard Quality of ITV vs. utility of live & delayed viewing Clearly defined course expectations Modality; technological requirements; ways learners are expected to engage Academic program design, learning outcomes

Voices from survey I & roundtables students, faculty, staff, alumni, BOV and others Equity for distance students; full availability of campus services and virtual office hours Onboarding for first-year students – study skills; onboarding for online classes – technology skills Accessibility improvements (ADA)

Voices from survey I & roundtables students, faculty, staff, alumni, BOV and others Civic engagement, embed in the curriculum and support faculty; internships Stepping stones to degree; certificates & associate’s degrees PLA process improvements; reverse internships; professional experience portfolios; credit for lifelong learning

Voices from survey I & roundtables students, faculty, staff, alumni, BOV and others Create a sense of community Engagement vs. Access More/better student spaces “Value of community is reflected in our physical spaces” Social presence for distance learners More f2f classes, especially for first year Family events: students, faculty & staff Alumni mentoring program; career counseling

Emerging themes: focus on the learner experience Expand on UMA’s learner-centered legacy Quality in teaching & learning, regardless of modality Student engagement in learning Experiential learning opportunities

Emerging themes: Provide a supportive environment Access to student services, regardless of modality Proactive faculty & staff advising Career counseling & alumni mentoring

Emerging themes: Build community & foster engagement Welcoming spaces Relationships with faculty, staff, learning community Engage with broader community Civic engagement Be a resource to the community for knowledge & culture

Emerging themes: Create value for the credential Create milestones with stackable certificates & associate’s degrees Prepare graduates Knowledge of discipline Confidence with soft skills Workforce/graduate school readiness Competitive credential; strong reputation in community

Call to action: Expand uma’s learner-centered legacy Create a community that embraces new experiences to: Enhance student learning Provide a supportive environment Foster engagement and a sense of belonging Prepare students for life and work

Call to action: Learning – faculty & academic admin Pursue best practices in teaching & learning to ensure a quality, engaged learning experience for students regardless of modality or location: Faculty/student interaction in distance and f2f courses Pedagogies that enhance engaged learning Consistency and quality of student experience Blackboard navigation Use of technology to enhance learning

Call to action: learning – faculty & academic admin Continued… Experiential learning opportunities; civic engagement; badging Faculty advising; faculty/student relationships Stackable certificates and associate’s degrees to provide milestones to degree completion Exploration of graduate program opportunities Engagement with and support of adjunct faculty

Call to action: learning – faculty & academic admin Pilot Academic Programs of the Future: Emphasizing the best practices identified in the previous slides, identify one or more academic programs to engage in a pilot to align and enrich the learning experience for distance and f2f students through pedagogical design, technological platform, and assessment of learning outcomes Provide faculty with incentives and support for pilot participation

Call to Action: Student & faculty Support - Admin Offer a welcoming and supportive environment, with a cohort experience for all students Enhance career counseling and engage alumni as mentors Provide administrative support for civic engagement and internships Create community through enhanced physical & digital spaces; explore meal service and housing

Call to Action: Student & faculty Support - Admin Provide all students with seamless access to services: Integrate UC Center staff and value their role as UMA navigators for distance students Engage New Ventures Maine to provide complementary student support in education and career planning, financial literacy, leadership and civic engagement Develop a “Cyberspace” Master Plan to provide all students with digital pathways to services & support

Call to Action: Student & faculty Support - Admin Provide faculty with support to pursue best practices in teaching and learning Promote opportunities for pedagogical and online/distance professional development Integrate UC instructional design team into Academic Affairs Improve technology, enhance IT training and classroom support Explore other options to support faculty

Survey II: Review & final Input Emailed Survey Tool Nov 3rd – Nov 13th

final recommendations Due November 20th Faculty Senate PEA CEA SGA BOV Senior Administration November 20

President’s cabinet: Nov 28th Review of Final Recommendations Adopt Revised Vision & Plan

Revised Vision, plan & Strategies Dec 8th Share with UMA Community

Thank you for joining this journey 2020