CWU Spheres of Distinction

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CWU Spheres of Distinction

• Fall Faculty Day
• September 18, 2006

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Spheres of Distinction

• Innovative and resourceful approaches to
  academic, student, and campus life giving
  regional, national, or international prominence
  to Central Washington University
• Identified Spheres for 2006-2007
• Interdisciplinary Programs and Research
• Preparation of Professional Educators
• Programs and Activities Nurturing the Development
  of Students as Individuals, Scholars, Artists,
  and Citizens
• Activities Addressing Regional Needs and
  Enhancing Regional Resources
• University Centers

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Academic Affairs Strategic Plan

• Mission
• Academic Affairs leads the university in the
  creation, integration, and application of
  knowledge to advance student learning.
• Vision
• Central Washington University will be recognized
  by 2012 as Washingtons university of choice for
  opportunity, academic excellence, and highly
  valued degrees.

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Academic Distinction defined

• Established and emerging strengths of the
  university produce core competencies and define
  Spheres of Distinction.
• A core competency is an activity, process, or
  capability that the university performs
  exceedingly well.
• The university must continually reinvest in its
  core competencies or risk losing them.

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Academic Distinction defined

• A distinctive competency is a core competency
  that is superior to that of peer institutions and
  must meet three tests
• Student Value A distinctive competency makes a
  significant contribution to the educational
  experience of students.
• Competitive Position A distinctive competency
  distinguishes the university among its peers.
• Synergy A distinctive competency has broad
  impact on educational programs and learning
  experiences so that synergies are developed
  across disciplines and academic support services.

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Funding initiative

• Through the 2006-2007 budget process
• Funding allocated to Spheres of Distinction
• Base or one-time funds
• Proposal solicitation
• Academic Affairs received
• 37 proposals, including 4 with other divisions
• Requesting 2.3 million
• Wide ranging projects
• Established and identified distinction
• Emerging areas of strength
• Seed projects

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Funded Projects

• Stabilization of Interdisciplinary Programs
• Center for Latino and Latin American Studies
• Conceptual Model for Civic Engagement
• Environmental Design and Construction
• Science Talent Enhancement Program
• Science Honors Program
• Center for Science and Mathematics Education

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Stabilization of Interdisciplinary Programs

• Synopsis
• To make interdisciplinary programs viable and
  vibrant through core funding for leadership and
  operations.
• Student Value
• In pursuing interdisciplinary programs, students
  experience the integration of disciplinary views
  so that traditional disciplines actively inform
  one another to advance understanding in ways not
  possible with a single disciplinary lens.
• Competitive Position
• Offering programs and facilities that are unique
  in the nation or region.
• Synergy
• Each program provides synergy, connecting
  students and faculty among disciplines in
  multiple colleges.

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Center for Latino and Latin American Studies

• Synopsis
• To make Central the first university in the
  Pacific Northwest to unite Latino and Latin
  American Studies, and to link with a community
  partnership.
• Student Value
• Build bridges between Latino and non-Latino
  students, expose students to global experiences,
  both at home and abroad enhance contacts between
  CWU students and Latino/Latin American
  communities.
• Competitive Position
• The center will be the first in the region to
  fuse the typically disparate Latino and Latin
  American Studies fields and to link such a
  program with community outreach, providing a
  model and a destination of choice for Latino/a
  students.
• Synergy
• The Center will enhance contacts and cooperation
  between CWU faculty, students and staff across
  colleges, and between CWU and local communities.
  

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Conceptual Model for Civic Engagement

• Synopsis
• AA/SAEM partnership developing a conceptual and
  structural umbrella for civic engagement,
  ensuring coordination and vitality.
• Student Value
• Integration of academic program with local,
  regional, and international service experience.
• Competitive Position
• Statewide leadership position and prominence in
  civic engagement through the efforts of Student
  Affairs and Enrollment Management and Academic
  Affairs.
• Synergy
• Intentional and integrated programming
  purposefully bring together the influences of two
  university divisions, and students from across
  the university who will participate in community
  engagement opportunities.

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Environmental Design and Construction

• Synopsis
• IET and Facilities Management propose
  sustainability and environmental design and
  construction, which will bring together
  educators, researchers, and professionals to
  foster sustainable stewardship of the built
  environment, and support CWUs mission.
• Student Value
• Students will benefit through innovative
  coursework, applied research, and reduced energy
  costs.
• Competitive Position
• This will become the states first academic
  center based on sustainable design and
  construction. An area of particular interest to
  women, bringing diversity to male-dominated
  fields of design, construction, and engineering.
• Synergy
• This sphere will bring together operations
  professional and students to solve problems
  related to the built environment. This sphere
  will also be closely aligned with the Energy
  Studies Spheres of Distinction.

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Science Talent Enhancement Program (STEP)

• Synopsis
• Enhancement of science technology student
  recruitment and retention centered on lower
  division research rich, enquiry driven
  curriculum. This project focuses on developing a
  work force from least represented demographic
  populations and is transitioned from an NSF
  funded pilot project.
• Student Value
• In depth, active learning in science with
  increased retention in areas of high need.
• Competitive Position
• Distinctive pilot program recognized as a
  national model, recruiting from underrepresented
  populations, retaining diverse students and
  fostering success in science disciplines.
• Synergy
• An interdisciplinary curriculum integrates
  science enquiry in introductory science courses
  and sophomore research experience.

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Science Honors Program

• Synopsis
• To provide ongoing support to a foundation-seeded
  Science Honors Program. Competitively selected
  proposals for two-years of faculty mentored
  undergraduate research experiences that culminate
  in honors theses presented to the scientific
  community.
• Student Value
• Brings students and faculty together across
  science disciplines in research teams.
• Competitive Position
• Attracts and provides support for high academic
  achievers.
• Synergy
• Integrates student faculty research teams across
  interdisciplinary topics.

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Center for Science and Mathematics Education

• Synopsis
• To establish and center that facilitates
  formation of a professional learning community
  P-16 provides resources for best-practice
  teaching, learning, and assessment and
  consolidates campus and community resources.
• Student Value
• Positions future science and mathematics teachers
  for excellence in areas of regional and national
  need.
• Competitive Position
• Supports excellence in Centrals core, historical
  strength teacher education.
• Synergy
• Future teachers engage in interdisciplinary work
  across science, mathematics, and professional
  education programs. Faculty engaged in teacher
  education contribute to professional development
  across P-16 levels.

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