Update on UAA 2020 from Chancellor Case

Dear UAA Community,

UAA 2020, our new strategic plan for 2017-2020, achieved several major milestones in February. The four values that emerged from campus voting and discussion - student success, excellence, access and affordability - were formally endorsed by all governance groups and approved as part of the plan. Thanks to all of you who proposed ways to implement the values, either through focus groups, email or using the suggestion boxes around campus. Your participation and input will continue to be incredibly important.

Also last month, 16 major units were asked to submit Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based (SMART) goals for possible inclusion in the plan. On Feb. 17, 74 leaders from all of our campuses met and decided on six goals to forward to the Chancellor's Cabinet.

In abbreviated form, the goals are as follows:

• Increase retention for freshmen and students between their second and third year of study by 10 percent.
• Increase the use of high-impact practices in GER courses by 10 percent per year.
• Increase student and faculty creative activity and research productivity by 2 percent, 3 percent and 5 percent in the next three years.
• Produce more graduates to meet Alaska workforce needs by increasing enrollment by 10 percent and completion by 10 percent.
• Increase the number of process-improvement projects (LEAN projects and others) across the campus.
• Increase the number and quality of partnerships between university units and the communities they serve by 10 percent per year.

The Cabinet will now review these goals and decide which will be adopted for UAA 2020 and moved forward for implementation.

I want to commend everyone for their enthusiasm and involvement in this essential process. These are challenging times for UAA. By working together, we will set our course and become a better institution serving our students and our state.

Sincerely, Tom Case

Learn more about the UAA 2020 initiative.

March Archive