Redouble our Emphasis on Innovation, Access, Persistence and Student Success

As a regional, comprehensive university, Bemidji State recognizes the power of innovation, the importance providing access to a broad range of students and the relevance of persistence in producing student success.

Goals & Initiatives

1. Foster a creative university environment that supports the implementation of new ideas. Assessing the current status and future needs of the university to create a structure to implement new strategies for innovation and access

Initiatives:

• Establish a task force of students, faculty and staff to specifically identify and define root causes of barriers to creativity and innovation on campus.
• Establish a Center for Creativity & Innovation (perhaps combination of virtual and physical) to foster the proposal of solutions which address barriers to innovation and also champion new campus initiatives in areas such as curriculum development, course delivery, organizational structure, collaboration, accessibility of students, etc.
• Promote an environment of innovation and creativity through the search, hiring and retention process for faculty and staff as well as encourage faculty externships and exchanges.
• Promote an environment of learning, knowledge and competence in students by increasing their level of participation and access to university resources such as Honors Council Lectures.

2. Design and implement innovative strategies that demonstrate and celebrate collaboration and partnering among students, faculty and staff. Promoting a culture of innovation with students, faculty and staff who are all aligned for the common good and benefits that come through true collaboration and a mutually supportive organization

Initiatives:

• Prepare students for the larger world by requiring all degree programs to offer a variety of experiences beginning in the freshman year with potential employers, the community and across university departments including activities such as practicums, field trips, job shadowing, service learning, research projects, case studies, portfolios and e-mentoring.
• Develop and promote a university wide system to expand the availability of individualized and competency based learning, including strategies such as prior learning, test-out and work and life experience assessment.
• Create and implement a capstone “last year experience” for graduating seniors that would serve as a bookend with the First Year Experience course and a transition for life and employment after graduation. (needs to accommodate transfer, off-campus students)
• Encourage faculty and staff to take an active role in reaching out to students through student campus organizations such as student senate and mentor them to increase the level of student engagement as it relates to university activities, committees and decision making processes.

3. Create an individualized student plan model for success that includes purposeful advising which leads to degree completion. Developing processes to focus on the needs, wants and expectations of students

Initiatives:

• Implement a student advising skill training program for faculty and staff.
• Identify and implement personalized educational plans and retention strategies that address the unique needs of a diversity of learners such as age, culture, geography, social, economic and learning challenges.
• Create a campus environment which identifies and incorporates soft skill development strategies for students, faculty and staff with topics such as social and interpersonal communication.
• Develop and disseminate a master 4-year campus course schedule.
• Create and install uniform faculty/staff photo directories for every department/office on campus and on the university website.