1 Striving to Become a Center of Excellence: Asa H. Gordon Library (Savannah State University) Response to University’s Strategic Plan Mary Jo Fayoyin and Louise Wyche HBCU LIBRARY ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE II PRESENTATION APRIL 3-5, 2006 MOREHOUS COLLEGE LEADERSHIP CENTER ATLANTA, GA.

2 ABSTRACT The project was designed to support the Asa H. Gordon Library’s application to become the first academic support unit designated as a Savannah State University Center of Excellence.

3 RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGY PLAN Comparative Advantage Instructional Capacity Building Recruitment and Retention Professional Development Image and Communication

4 The University will create academic centers of excellence to attract students and promote the university. academic centers

5 Excellent Faculty Scholarship Cutting-edge Technology Partnerships AND Assessment And Staff Student centered COMPONENTS OF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE EVALUATION

6 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE LIBRARY DISTANCE LEARNING A-V CENTER ARCHIVES

7 STAKEHOLDERS BENEFIT TO STAKEHOLDERS : ROLE OF STAKEHOLDER

8 SSU ADMINISTRATION

9 Strategic Planning Stakeholder AnalysisStakeholder AnalysisStakeholder AnalysisStakeholder Analysis Identify Issues Using SWOTIdentify Issues Using SWOTIdentify Issues Using SWOTIdentify Issues Using SWOT Involve Staff using Human Resources FrameworkInvolve Staff using Human Resources FrameworkInvolve Staff using Human Resources FrameworkInvolve Staff using Human Resources Framework

10 FACULTY AND STUDENTS CHEERLEADER/ PARTNER LIBRARY STAFF FACILITATOR COMMUNITY MARKETING ACCESS TO LEARNING SPACES/ INFORMATION COMMONS RETENTION PRESERVATION OF LOCAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND SERVICESSYMPOSIUMS FUNDING RELEASE TIME RECOGNITION ACCREDITATION ROLE/ BENEFITS

11 SWOT ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY SWOT ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY STRENGTHSWEAKNESS 1.Staff 2.Facilities 3.Technical 4.Reputation 5.Partnerships 6.Evaluations 1.Size of Staff 2.Attention to Scholarship OPPORTUNITIESTHREATS 1.Increased Visibility 2.Increased Funding 3.Increased Opportunities for Professional Growth 1.Definition of “Center of Excellence.”

12 Human Resources Framework Catalyst Support Advocate and Empower Increase Participation Share Information Move decision making down the organization.

13 WE HAVE: Revised the “Center of Excellence” document. Increased scholarship by library faculty. Developed Unit plans. Had conversation with Deans and Select Faculty to get their support. Meet with Student Leaders.

14 WE MUST: Based on a review of our unit plans by our Mentor, revise unit plans to focus on student learning/outcomes. Complete the self study document. Submit to Academic Vice President for approval. Complete the LibQual assessment in Fall 2006 to satisfy the “periodical evaluation” component.

15 AND Lessons Learned…..

16 SEEK ADVISE FROM EXPERTS: Meeting with Mentor

17 COLLABORATE WITH RESPECTED FACULTY: Activities Related to grant collaboration with Department of Natural Science

18 Asa H. Gordon Library & Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. present Wordmuthas, Truthsayers, & Crunkologists Some OldNew Stuff Speaker: Dr. Ja Jahannes as GRANDMASTER JA

19 SHOWCASE YOUR STRENGTHS: Soul of Black Folk W.E.B. Du Bois Seminar Asa H. Gordon Library Savannah State University. “Herein lie buried many things which if read with patience may show the strange meaning of being black here in the dawning of the Twentieth Century. This meaning is not without interest to you, Gentle Reader; for the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line.” W.E.B. Du Bois

20 BE A TEAM PLAYER:

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22 SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW PROFFESSONALLY

23 DO IT BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO

24 AND SEEK THE SUPPORT OF THE BIG DOGS!! President Brown Academic Vice President Silver Dean Gates Miss Savannah Rahim

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