1. New Faculty Orientation CALS Overview
Teri Balser, Dean
September 22, 2011

2. My path

3. Research to education to administration…
Soil science disciple – soil biology research, teaching, extension
Realization of need to better communicate our science
Increased interest in/focus on education
Decision to enter administration
Interest in Land Grant mission
Science background and interests – my research grew out of a desire to protect and understand natural and managed systems – has taken me around the world (pictures?)
Along the way - realization that we have all the data we need, but not the ability to USE it in effective ways. Desire to do IDR, to understand how to create collab science to solve complex problems unsolvable by single-efforts alone
In parallel? Recognition of need to improve education
Leadership work (Dallas)
Director of IBE and campus-level involvement – growing concern for the future of higher ed, all of it (teaching, research, engagement)
((Recognition that my personality makes me suited for admin, that I can do more there than in my individ lab))
Desire to have a more direct impact on higher ed

4. Revolutionary! Emulated worldwide.
lib.niu.edu
Land Grant Mission
The land grant idea was a
social contract embodying the beliefs that
Education should not belong to the elite
Created knowledge should be used for societal good
People should have the opportunity to learn throughout their lives
Agriculture is most known, but it was for the “industrial classes,” not only for agriculture
Revolutionary! Emulated worldwide.

5. Land grant 2.0? Adapt our core values to 21st century realities
Provide high quality education that is both globally and locally accessible
Work collaboratively with a range of partners within and beyond the academy to create and apply new knowledge to solve societal problems
Produce graduates who are learners for life, capable of adapting to changes in the processes and nature of work in a global economy
From Simon, World Grant Universities: meeting the challenges of the 21st century, Change, Sept/Oct 2010

6. IFAS: Research, Teaching, Extension
(EXPT STN)
TEACHING
(CALS)
EXTENSION
Graduate
Education
Outreach/
Distance Ed
Applied
Discovery
Undergraduate
Basic
Communities
and 4H
Common
Themes: Env, water, resources

7. CALS

8. Overarching Goal
Position IFAS/CALS graduates to address humanity’s grand challenges: access to sufficient food, clean water, natural resources, and a healthy environment.

9. How?
Position IFAS/CALS graduates to address humanity’s grand challenges: access to sufficient food, clean water, natural resources, and a healthy environment.

10. Learning 2.0
“Produce graduates who are learners for life, capable of adapting to changes in the processes and nature of work in a global economy”

11. How???
“Produce graduates who are learners for life, capable of adapting to changes in the processes and nature of work in a global economy”

12. Be willing to rethink what you think you know about teaching and learning

13. Education in a Wiki-world

14. Your role?
Develop your teaching, mentoring, advising philosophy starting NOW
Take advantage of support and learning opportunities in CALS
Teaching Resource Center
Distance Education group
Be open to trying new things
Speak up and take action (we need your ideas!)

15. How can we help?