Developing the next steps
Binghamton University’s Road Map to Premier strategic planning process has continued to evolve since it was originally launched in 2013, with a renewal in 2017, and a re-aiming in 2021. Nearly 70 people from all areas of campus serve on the Road Map Steering Committee and strategic priority teams also meet regularly to revise goals and metrics to help direct current and future plans.
In early 2024, all strategic priority teams received proposal applications from members of the campus community to address new and emerging needs. After review, the following proposals were approved for funding:
The proposals are:
- SP1 – Office of Professional Development in the Graduate School. The new office will provide support for graduate students, postdoctorals and faculty.
- SP2 – Expanded UNIV 101/103 course offerings. Additional instructors will allow for smaller class sizes and support the success and retention of first-year students.
- SP3 – Male Scholars Initiative. A new full-time position will serve as mentor and coach to first-year men who are at high risk of leaving the University.
- SP4 – Community-engaged teaching and research. The Center for Civic Engagement will support community-engaged learning courses and research through a faculty grant program.
- SP5 – Employee engagement specialist. The person in this new position will work collaboratively across departments to facilitate the establishment and growth of affinity groups, programming and orienting new hires to the campus culture.
- SP6 – Global learning for all. A scholarship will enhance participation in study abroad and strengthen faculty-led international programs.
- Additionally, four student proposals were chosen, including: a Campus Community Garden; Social and Emotional Support for Health (SESH); Voter Engagement Team funding; and Crossing Borders, a health literacy journey for international students.
Previous proposals from the 2022-23 academic year are ongoing and include:
- SP1 - Enhancing research grant support. The Office of Strategic Research Initiatives added a research development specialist and the Office of Sponsored Programs added a grant specialist/grant and contract administrator.
- SP2 - Enhancing high-impact practice participation and first-year retention. Three initiatives to support these efforts were created, including undergraduate research grants, grants for high-impact practice pilots and offering counseling and grants for students who stopped attending the University before graduation.
- SP3 - Enhancing diversity training for faculty and staff. The University hired a diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice director to assist with the design and delivery of workshops and training.
- SP4 - Community engagement for new faculty. Grants for new faculty support community engaged teaching, learning and research and a graduate student assistant coordinates community service activities.
- SP5 - Recruitment and retention initiatives and planned giving support. A referral program was created to enhance recruitment of new employees in critical shortage areas.
- SP6 - Supporting undergraduates in international research. Undergraduate research assistants were funded to accompany faculty doing international research during the summer and winter timeframes.
