Strategic Plan Accomplishments Summary

Strategic Plan 2021-2026

SMSU Vision and Values:

SMSU aspires to be recognized throughout Minnesota and beyond for being an inclusive and student-centered university. We value:

1. Discovery through innovative teaching, research and other high-impact experiences.
2. Civic engagement and strategic partnerships.
3. Developing broadly educated and well-rounded leaders.

Accomplishments: AY 2022 through AY 2024

Priority 1:

Affirm and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Increase campus diversity, ensure inclusive learning, social, working, and living environments, and eliminate equity gaps

• Disaggregate and review equity gap data for all university gateway and all program-level courses
• Create Faculty Liaison for SI and establish/expand SI program (20 sections offered AY24)
• Redesign developmental courses (Math, EMLS, LEP 101)
• Increase enrollment in Mustang Pathway Program (more than tripled over 4 years)
• Provide trainings in IDI, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Inclusive Leadership
• Engage with Marshall DEI Commission
• Create Bias Incident Support and Advisory Team (BISA)
• Highlight ODI office and Women's/LGBTQ+ Center on campus tour
• Revise hiring practices to ensure DEI focus
• Create and integrate Land Acknowledgement Statement
• Create Equity Fellows Program
• Hire fulltime CDO
• Revise search process to enhance equity and increase diversity of candidates
• Provide student and employee mental health programming
• Provide Inclusive Leadership training
• Acquire donor funding for Deeann Griebel Student Success Center
• Acquire and increase donor funding for Equity and Opportunity Scholarships and Mustang Pathway Program
• Continue/evolve SUCCESS program beyond grant period
• Mental Health Counseling Center (new name)
• Initiate response to Equity Scorecard
• Conceptualize and obtain funding for “Technology Equity Grants” program
• Expand professional dress closet resources
• Identify funding options to support mental health resources (system office funding provided)
• Integrate DEI focus in recruiting events and tours
• Convene campus discussion of DEI and belonging issues
• Admissions and ODI Office collaborate to develop recruitment plan.
• Increase diversity of tour guides hired
• Highlight ODI resources during Open House
• Administer Student Campus Climate survey
• Provide HR and DEIB Learning Connections: Equity & Inclusion focused training for employees

Priority 2:

Inspire academic success and discovery through innovative teaching, research, and student support services, and other high-impact experiences. Foster high-quality teaching and learning and a campus culture that encourages, celebrates, and promotes undergraduate and graduate student and faculty research and creative work.

• Establish partnership with San Juan College (NM)
• Enhance academic success through Professional Development and Assessment Days
• Establish Study Abroad and Global Education (SAGE) Committee
• Create Mustang Ovations Committee
• Convene strategic discussions with area business leaders
• Establish North Star Mutual School of Business
• Address culturally responsive teaching effectiveness in faculty PDP/PDR
• Approve Risepoint partnership for online programs
• Complete successful HLC multi-site accreditation for learning communities and Twin Cities partnerships
• Establish funding and application process for undergraduate research
• Achieve initial accreditation for Exercise Science program
• Develop COLT to support instruction in all modalities
• Achieve initial accreditation for all BIS programs
• Develop technology platform for data science student projects and research
• Initiate planning for cybersecurity technology needs
• Provide funding ($50K) to help offset cost of student travel
• Implement LabStats software to enhance access to University licensed software for remote students
• Create committee to oversee online education (COOL)
• Complete College Now re-accreditation
• Implement Risepoint services
• Establish faculty Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity (URSA) Committee to review and prioritize funding requests
• Initiate long-term expansion of Qualtrics survey software licensing
• Provide internal support for grant writing
• Establish Foundation funding for undergraduate research
• Through COLT develop an AI Guidelines Workgroup for the University

Priority 3:

Foster civic engagement and strategic partnerships. Develop deep, reciprocal, equitable, and sustained partnerships within our community and region that contribute to the public good, positively impact the environment, strengthen the local and regional economy, and enhance the education of our students.

• Hold WorldFest as new SMSU-Marshall event
• Host networking luncheon for students and business leaders
• Host Holiday Social for campus and community
• Confirm major donor commitments to support campaign priorities (i.e. Res Hal, student success, alumni association, scholarships)
• Communicate impact of funding to advance DEI goals
• Finalize partnership with North Star Mutual Insurance providing $3M for the School of Business
• Develop donor-supported student/business leader networking lunches
• Host Prairie Jam concert
• Host Donor Dinner to thank SMSU supporters
• System office workforce development leader met with SMSU and city leaders
• Develop potential political science/legislature collaboration with Nigerian delegation
• Schedule additional planning meetings with city
• Establish relationships with new campaign donors and lift up planned giving opportunities
• Continue conversations with donors and friends regarding the impact private support can make on DEI priorities

Priority 4:

Support student engagement and leadership development. Offer holistic support services and opportunities for student engagement that contribute to the development of well-rounded leaders.

• Hire health navigator; partner with Avera clinic to provide services
• Hire new Coordinator of Accessibility Services as part of Student Success Center
• Collaborate with Marshall to fund and construct outdoor basketball court
• Expand and incentivize campus housing options
• Convene group to plan and host 1st Gen Day event
• Hold Trans Day of Visibility workshop and educational programming
• Provide Title IX employee and student training, prevention programming, and resource development
• Increase support for student mental health (via system office funding)
• Expand inventory of Professional Dress Closet
• Provide culturally diverse programming emphasizing regional voices (e.g. author Kalia Kao Yang; It Begins With Us)
• Expand Mustang Pathway Program to include developmental math as free summer course
• Convene group to discuss expanding campus programming as part of SEM planning
• Initiate Athletics Strategic Plan
• Expand funding and staffing capacity for Mustang Market
• Establish president-level leadership development program for full-ride scholarship recipients

Priority 5:

Ensure effective institutional operations and community well-being. Create a highly-supportive environment focused on the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of the University community.

• Provide programming for professional development of faculty and staff
• Host faculty and staff appreciation reception
• Fund fulltime CDO position and DEI training for faculty/staff
• Lease Social Sciences building for occupancy by the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative and the Marshall Public Schools
• Relocate and redesign offices and classrooms with closing of Social Sciences building
• Enhance and expand classroom technology capabilities
• Renovate university pool and refinish PE gym floor
• Implement Quinncia (AI tool for resumes and mock interviews)
• Implement Alertus notification system
• Conduct campus Safety and Security audit
• Embed Crisis Advocate in Public Safety Office
• Install secure exterior door access in residence halls
• Complete planning for future phone systems that can support enhanced campus security services
• Establish MOU with mental health and crisis prevention providers
• Match leveraged funds to purchase over $1.5M in academic equipment
• Hold successful M4L Days to support campus programs
• Provide Employee Appreciation and Mustang Ovations recognition events
• Initiate planning for revitalizing SM 169, the Education Model Classroom, ST classrooms and the BA 314 & 319 spaces
• Administer Student Campus Climate Survey
• Provide Title IX employee and student training, prevention programming, and resource development
• Hold Trans Day of Visibility workshop and educational programming
• Provide HR and DEIB Learning Connections: Equity & Inclusion focused training for employees
• Provide Vector Solutions Training in DEIB, Title IX & Clery, Accessibility, and Bias
• Create access to campus maps in four languages: Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish
• Convene campus discussion of DEI and belonging issues
• Implement plan to expand deployment of campus security cameras
• Renovate SM 169 as interactive, high-tech lab space
• Implement redesigned hiring processes to increase diversity and equity
• Initiate support for integration of AI tools
• Enhance accessibility services planning (classroom audio; captioning)
• Increase Quinncia usage; promote with faculty and with online learners
• Implement Slate CRM
• Install Zoom Phones
• Develop onboarding program
• Create Basic Needs website and resources including for online students
• Increase funding for Mustang Market
• Administer student basic needs survey (Hope Center/system office initiative)
• Increase mental health resources for online students
• Establish systematic review of policies and procedures to ensure currency and equity
• Implement Stand and Move initiative

Priority 6:

Increase enrollment and improve retention. Create and maintain academic and student affairs partnerships to increase and retain enrollment.

• Offer MBA to Slumberland Office Complex (Oakdale, MN)
• Establish partnership with San Juan College (NM)
• Implement and expand SUCCESS program for at-risk students
• Collaborate to coordinate AOS/MPP and SUCCESS support for traditionally underserved students
• Establish Nigerian MBA partnership
• Create committee to oversee online education (COOL)
• Create Ugrad-Grad pathway: 4+1 MBA
• Support SUCCESS program beyond grant period
• Launch Opt On initiative to incentivize living on campus