GOAL THEME 1: Academic Excellence
Foster evidence-based best practices enhanced through reflective practices and professional development.
Goal Team Chairs: Jeff Briggs, Brad Will
Desired Outcome
- By 2027, at least 65% of all teaching faculty will engage annually in professional development activities that are centralized within TILT and other appropriate institutional units that support best practices in higher education and enhance the student experience.
- By 2027, 100% of undergraduate degree programs will have articulated effective, concrete, measurable Program Learning Outcomes.
- By 2027, assemble evidence of utilization of information from annual program assessment to improve student learning in programs, as indicated in the three-year benchmarks.
- By 2027, all FHSU academic programs will complete the program review process.
GOAL THEME 2: Student Success
Create opportunities for all students and empower them to identify, evaluate, and achieve their goals while becoming engaged global citizens.
Goal Team Chairs: Andrew Feldstein, Kathleen Cook
Desired Outcome
Improve equitable access for all students by reducing the achievement gaps between different types of students, improving overall persistence by 3%.
|
Baseline Year |
59% Persistence |
|
Benchmark year 1 |
60% Persistence |
|
Benchmark year 2 |
61% Persistence |
|
Benchmark year 3 |
62% Persistence |
Benchmarking the Achievement Gap: In year one, utilizing findings from Strategy 2.1 we will create an Achievement Gap Index, benchmarked on AY ’24 data, using aggregate data by modality for the following: following: course completion rates, assessment outcomes, course practices, and student supports*.
The Achievement Gap Indices are currently being benchmarked. Achievement Gap scores available soon.
|
Baseline Year (where are we starting from?) |
Achievement Gap Index Score |
|
Benchmark year 1 |
Achievement Gap Index Score + |
|
Benchmark year 2 of FHSU plan |
Achievement Gap Index Score ++ |
|
Benchmark year 3 of FHSU plan |
Achievement Gap Index Score +++ |
Two major studies on student success at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) were conducted between 2021-2024:
- NISS Diagnostic and Playbook (Georgia State-based National Institute for Student Success, commissioned by KBOR)
- Digital Master Plan (FHSU working group with Anthology Educational Consulting Group)
Key challenges identified:
- Insufficient access to student success data
- Underserved online student population
NISS recommendations:
- Standardize academic advising
- Strengthen financial aid through collaboration and data-informed outreach
- Restructure course design, planning, and review process
- Improve outcomes for online students
Digital Master Plan recommendations:
- Track and analyze disaggregated student success data
- Ensure consistency in online course design and delivery
- Provide opportunities for student connections
- Improve support for digital teaching competencies
- Streamline communication for online learning success
The Student Success Goal supports these recommendations in its three strategy areas as follows:
- Actionable Data for Equitable Online Learning (NISS 3, DMP 1)
- Student Support (NISS 1 & 4, DMP 3)
- Innovation in Course Design and Delivery Across All Modalities (NISS 4 & DMP 2)
GOAL THEME 3: Strategic Enrollment
Design and implement an enrollment plan for sustainability.
Goal Team Chairs: Dennis King, Joey Linn, Kristin Herl
Desired Outcome
Advance strategic enrollment within the university, resulting in an overall positive ROI over the next three years.
GOAL THEME 4: Resources and Infrastructure
Maintain and improve infrastructure and resources.
Goal Team Chairs: Wesley Wintch, Dana Cunningham
Desired Outcomes
- Maintain financial health and resources to sustain operations and pursue strategic priorities.
- Increase awareness of and opportunities for staff training and professional development provided by FHSU.
- Maintain and improve the learning and working environments at FHSU.
GOAL THEME 5: Impactful Partnerships
Definition: Cultivate and foster reciprocal partnerships locally, regionally, nationally, and globally that positively impact all stakeholders we serve.
Goal Team Chairs: Jeni McRay, Donnette Noble
Desired Outcome
- Build a portfolio of Professional & Continuing Education alternative credentials.
- Create a sustainable framework for the institutionalization of Leadership for Public Purpose and Community Engagement Carnegie Classifications.
- Diversify academic internationalization efforts.