ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS, 2007-2008
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Prepared by - Virginia Clark Johnson, Dean
March 2008
The mission of the College of Human Development and Education at North Dakota State University is to provide educational programs and conduct research and other scholarly activities that focus on the lives of individuals and their families as they interact in work, educational and living environments.
Visions for the College include:
• To provide programs which meet the current and future needs of students and society.
• To provide quality academic environments which facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of resources and people.
• To serve the diverse educational need of a global audience through the use of technology as enhancement or delivery method in the teaching and learning environment.
• To contribute to the enhancement of economic development in North Dakota utilizing research and discipline-based information.
All of these visions are important to our work in the College of Human Development. However, the goals that have been identified reflect our areas of focus for this academic year. Goals identified by college administration, faculty and staff at the beginning of the academic year and accomplishments/progress toward those goals follow:
1) Continue to strengthen the research capacity of the College.
** Complete the third year of the College Research Plan.
- At the end of this academic year we will have completed the third year of the
College Research Plan. Specific information related to each of the goals in the plan will be provided in the College Annual Report. Buyouts were provided during the year for faculty to give them some extra time to prepare a grant for external funding, collect data that would be important for an external proposal, or complete work on refereed publications. In addition, funding was provided to support faculty research and to assist graduate students with their research. Specific numbers and dollar amounts will be provided in the College Annual Report. Participation in all programs has increased from previous years.
- For the seventh year we offered assistance in writing, library searches, etc.,
graduate assistants assigned to the Associate Dean. This year we hired two
graduate assistants, as the workload during the past years had increased.
- Some of the concurrent sessions at the annual college professional development day focused on proposal development, and use of tools that can aid in preparation of publications
- In most cases, units in the college have assigned tenure-track and tenured faculty no more than two courses a semester. This was a goal in the College Research Plan, and we are pleased that we have been able to meet that goal, in most cases.
- The Second HDE Research Showcase was held on April 11th; participation increased from the previous year by 1½ times. Faculty and students had the opportunity to display their work, and graduate presentations were reviewed and award winners were selected. A brown bag presentation was given at noon on April 9th by a recent doctoral graduate and a doctoral student who was finishing up her program. The presentation and discussion focused on “Tips for Conducting Graduate Research”. This session was well attended, and the possibility of offering a similar session each semester for graduate students is being considered.** Expand the College Research Plan.
The College Research Committee took the lead on reviewing the plan and preparing a draft for expanding the plan into the future. This draft was reviewed by faculty and college administrators, and is being finalized.
** Increase publication of refereed publications by faculty.
This information will be available in the College Annual Report.
** Increase number of research related grants awarded to faculty.
This information will be available in the College Annual Report.
2) Review the match between curriculum, enrollment and resources to ensure that we continue to offer quality, cutting-edge, competency-based programs.
- This information will be available by department in the HDE Annual Report.
- Several of our programs have made extensive updates in curriculum, and the Athletic Training program is transitioning to a five-year entry-level graduate program and also a Masters of Science program. Faculty in Athletic Training and Exercise Science are working together to plan a pre-Athletic Training track in Exercise Science.
- Graduate programs in Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science have reached their capacity. No additional students will be added to the programs for the coming year, and specific enrollment caps will be identified. In addition, the department will be reviewing programs and operations to see if there can be a more unified focus and more efficient operations that promote timely communication and action.
- Official enrollment in the College increased, and we are serving over 80% of the students who are classified as non-degree students through classes and advising.
- A Web-based Masters program in Youth Development (through Great Plains IDEA) will be added to our on-line graduate degrees.
- Department heads and faculty worked together to identify areas of resource needs and order of priority. The listing of priorities for new positions and rationale for the need was reviewed and updated. Goals (guidelines) were reviewed and revised for faculty and staff salaries. The need for space has been approached in the same manner, and priorities have been established for space needs, as well. Our growth continues, and is often the highest “new” enrollment on campus. The challenge of space and faculty to meet increased enrollment continues.
- During the spring, the announcement of new space for Couple and Family Therapy and Counseling provided us with the opportunity to reassess space. This move will allow us to have space for many of the new faculty we are hiring. However, it will also present a challenge of working with the faculty who will be off the main campus to keep them involved and feeling like they are a part of the College and their departments. Funding for the transition and equipment needed for the programs, will be challenge.
3) Increase opportunities for faculty, staff and students to experience diversity in a variety of settings (cultural, international….).
- We continue to see an increase in exchange students in our programs.
- Students at AIT in India began programs in Retailing and in Hospitality and will attend AIT for two years and then be on our campus in the fall of 2009. Dr. Holly Bastow-Shoop and I met with the faculty and administration at AIT in January to finalize our program planning.
- More undergraduate students are choosing to participate in Study Abroad Programs, and to do students teaching in other countries.
- A trip to India is being planned for December-January, 2008-2009, for students, faculty and staff who are interested in exploring opportunities for collaboration in India and, also, learning more about the country. This trip is being offered collaboratively with Kansas State and the University of Idaho.
- According to a count of diversity in students by college, we have the most diverse group of undergraduate students on campus.
- Teacher Education continues to refine their “immersion” experience for students and are encouraging faculty to attend at least one week of the experience to gain an understanding of the student experience, and to build their experience with diversity.
4) Promote and provide resources to assist with faculty, staff and student professional development (everyone participate in at least one professional development opportunity).
Funding for support of faculty, staff and student development was expanded again this year. Proposals were requested both semesters from faculty, graduate students, and student/groups organizations. Faculty proposals were focused on developing research capacity and/or building state/regional/national/international program reputation. Many students, both undergraduate and graduate, used support to help travel to professional meetings to give presentations on their own or with faculty. Match was required for each request. Support was also provided for staff to attend professional development workshops. Specific participation numbers and amounts will be provided in the College Annual Report.
