Version 2: 19 September 2022
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission
We are Penn State Wilkes-Barre. We are inclusive of all, lead with and live by Penn State values, and are driven to educate, inspire, and empower others in our communities.
Vision
Penn State Wilkes-Barre will deliver a leading-edge, integrated, and welcoming educational experience that dynamically impacts lives through discovery, leadership, and sustainability.
Institutional Values
Integrity. We act with integrity and honesty in accordance with the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards.
Respect. We respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community.
Responsibility. We act responsibly, and we are accountable for our decisions, actions, and their consequences.
Discovery. We seek and create new knowledge and understanding, and foster creativity and innovation, for the benefit of our communities, society, and the environment.
Excellence. We strive for excellence in all our endeavors as individuals, an institution, and a leader in higher education.
Community. We work together for the betterment of our University, the communities we serve, and the world.
Strategic Plan
Goal 1: Deliver Holistic Academic Experience
Objective 1.1: Academic Programs
Increase the relevance and quality of Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s academic programs.
Action Item 1.1.1: Host student/faculty/employer engagements to discuss majors and curriculum/outcomes and how they meet the needs of the region. (Active)
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.1.1.1: Host engagement events among businesses and community agencies, faculty, staff, and students; may include advisory board representatives, Industry Advisory Councils (EET, SUR E), and Continuing Education.
- 1.1.1.2: Events should focus on business and community agency needs and how PSUWB majors/learning outcomes meet those needs; identify gaps.
- 1.1.1.3: Work with appropriate units to enhance programs and marketing opportunities by communicating gaps, adding co-curricular activities, revising curriculum, and offering continuing education programs, if appropriate.
Action Item 1.1.2: Review portfolio of 2- and 4-year degrees and minors for market relevance and enrollment potential .
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.1.2.1: Regularly work with OVPCC to review current programs, enrollment, and market needs in the region.
- 1.1.2.2: Regularly work with other campuses to review shared programs, enrollment and market needs in the region.
- 1.1.2.3: Initiate proposals to add or delete programs, including those shared with other campuses, and to add or delete minors.
- 1.1.2.4: Regularly work with OVPCC, regional campuses, and Strategic Communications to strengthen regional identity in Engineering and establish regional identity in healthcare.
- 1.1.2.5: Initiate Certificate programs or micro-credentials to enhance Residential Instruction.
Action Item 1.1.3: Ensure all faculty become knowledgeable about and proficient in using creative tools and relevant content in delivering the curriculum .
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.1.3.1: Identify necessary tools and strategies. Identify basic proficiencies/expectations for student-centered, interactive, and/or applied learning.
- 1.1.3.2: Schedule faculty training needed, utilizing as much available from across Penn State University as possible.
- 1.1.3.3: Monitor faculty completion and success of training.
- 1.1.3.4: Capture impact of student-centered, interactive, and applied learning (may use technology to enhance but not required as a “creative tool”).
Objective 1.2: Build Relationships; Improve Programs
Develop and continuously improve programs that build and sustain student relationships with faculty and staff, and their peers.
Action Item 1.2.1: Encourage faculty/staff interactions with students.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.2.1.1: Create teams to explore options and ideas for such interactions.
- 1.2.1.2: Present final ideas to campus constituency groups.
- 1.2.1.3: Request report outs from faculty and staff about interactions, successes, challenges, as well as recommendations for improvement.
Action Item 1.2.2: Implement peer-to-peer advising and mentoring programs and improve student outcomes.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.2.2.1: Identify project team to administer programs, creating objectives and guidelines for success.
- 1.2.2.2: Pilot each program with a small group for 2 terms.
- 1.2.2.3: Report out including recommendations, make improvements, and implement.
Action Item 1.2.3: Grow and stabilize campus enrollment.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.2.3.1: Implement Strategic Enrollment Management Plan.
- 1.2.3.2: Monitor year over year, identify and leverage improvements, and identify issues and correct.
Action Item 1.2.4: Implement a repository of data that captures students’ “holistic” experience mapped to career outcomes
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.2.4.1: Career Services will research and purchase software to track credit and experiential internships
- 1.2.4.2: Collect data from relevant databases (iTwo, Starfish, SEN App, Career Services, Program Coordinators, etc.) capturing students’ curricular and co-curricular experiences (internships, undergrad research, clubs, leadership, etc.)
- 1.2.4.3: Use data collected to assist students in the creation of robust resumes
- 1.2.4.4: Use data collected to assist in improving academic program experiences
- 1.2.4.5: Use data collected to assist in publicizing the holistic educational experience at this campus to alumni relations, admissions, relevant business partners, the public
- 1.2.4.6: Career Services will develop a tracking survey of students’ careers beyond the traditional first destination survey of 6 months.
Objective 1.3: Intellectual and Social Development
Strengthen and sustain collaborations focused on the intellectual and social development of students.
Action Item 1.3.1: Establish an initiative to encourage students to develop an enhanced curricular and co-curricular plan using the Student Engagement Network
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.3.1.1: Incorporate units on Undergraduate Research and Student Engagement Network into First Year Seminar curriculum
- 1.3.1.2: Educate and engage faculty to help students apply for Undergraduate Research opportunities, reinforce utilization of Student Engagement Network, https://www.engage.psu.edu/, and apply for Travel and SEN grants
- 1.3.1.3: Track number of students engaged in Undergraduate Research
- 1.3.1.4: Track number of students engaged with internships, including non-credit internships; put on transcript or enter into SEN so it counts for student
- 1.3.1.5: Track number of students utilizing the Student Engagement Network
- 1.3.1.6: Strategic Communications will feature one Celebration of Scholarship student project each academic year to promote in the local media and highlight on website and social media
Action Item 1.3.2: Review all student services for best practices and remove any barriers for student access.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.3.2.1: Identify all departments to be reviewed (i.e, student facing).
- 1.3.2.2: Create standard program review guidelines.
- 1.3.2.3: Identify review teams (staff, faculty, and students).
- 1.3.2.4: Schedule program reviews.
- 1.3.2.5: Complete program reviews and document.
- 1.3.2.6: Determine actionable recommendations and resources required.
- 1.3.2.7: Implement changes.
Action Item 1.3.3: Identify and create clubs and organizations that are relevant to majors.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.3.3.1: Cross reference current clubs and organizations with majors and identify gaps.
- 1.3.3.2: For each gap, discuss needs with students, faculty, and Student Activities office.
- 1.3.3.3: Create list of recommendations and resources required.
- 1.3.3.4: Implement changes.
Objective 1.4: Cultural Competence
Through intentional programming and interaction, expose students, staff and faculty to diverse populations to build and sustain cultural competence.
Action Item 1.4.1: Expand events exploring various and differing cultures.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.4.1.1: Document current culturally relevant events and identify cultural gaps.
- 1.4.1.2: Solicit ideas on other cultures to be represented or other cultural activities/events from students, faculty, and staff.
- 1.4.1.3: Create schedule with current culturally relevant events.
- 1.4.1.4: Implement changes.
Action Item 1.4.2: Offer speaker series focused on diverse topics and issues in the region or the country.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.4.2.1: Solicit input from community, student groups, faculty, and staff regarding types of topics or issues they would like to see brought to campus.
- 1.4.2.2: Create events/invite speakers where classes of students will participate; this may include on campus events, virtual events, etc.
- 1.4.2.3: Invite community members and high school groups to increase participation and engagement.
- 1.4.2.4: Implement with a goal of one speaker each semester term.
Action Item 1.4.3: Expand focus on global topics and issues.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.4.3.1: Define what a global topic or issue is, with examples of how said topic could be brought to a class or a program/activity.
- 1.4.3.2: Create a form for submission of topics to ensure tracking of this initiative.
- 1.4.3.3: Calculate the percentage of courses and the number of activities per semester that present or include a global topic or issue.
Action Item 1.4.4: Create international recruitment and retention opportunities.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 1.4.4.1: Create environment necessary to support and retain international students.
- 1.4.4.2: Create a more welcoming and inclusive campus environment.
- 1.4.4.3: Explore and identify avenues to enroll new international students.
Goal 2: Relationships and Partnerships
Create and strengthen inclusive relationships and dynamic and strategic partnerships to increase enrollment and establish the campus as an educational resource.
Objective 2.1: Educational Institution Relationships
Continuously improve relationships with local and virtual educational institutions through dynamic partnerships.
Action Item 2.1.1: Develop a robust working relationship with Luzerne County Community College
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.1.1.1: Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs will meet regularly with LCCC.
- 2.1.1.2: Program coordinators will conduct annual review of degree requirements to communicate updates.
- 2.1.1.3: Development will communicate new and existing scholarship opportunities to faculty and staff.
Action Item 2.1.2: Identify, establish, and expand relationships with cyber schools in our service area by offering recorded virtual access to programs and activities.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.1.2.1: Enrollment Management will oversee the relationship list of cyber schools.
- 2.1.2.2: Canvas area high schools for names of cyber schools residents utilize.
- 2.1.2.3: Reach out to cyber schools with event opportunities to develop relationships.
- 2.1.2.4: Assessment on the return on investment of school relationships will be evaluated yearly.
Action Item 2.1.3: Engage local school districts and Learning Intermediate Units (LIUs) by offering programs that enhance learning opportunities and increase local access to Penn State University resources.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.1.3.1: Enrollment Management will network with school districts and LIUs to develop targeted programs based on strategic enrollment plans.
- 2.1.3.2: Offices and POCs will involve Enrollment Management in their programming efforts.
- 2.1.3.3: Continuously assess and adjust relationships and programming yearly.
Action Item 2.1.4: Create STEM-oriented opportunities that Admissions can use to engage local school districts to establish academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular collaborations.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.1.4.1: In support of Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, offer STEM-related programming to various target audiences (high school students, summer youth campers, etc.) yearly.
- 2.1.4.2: All departments will coordinate and communicate offerings with Admissions.
Objective 2.2: Penn State Relationships
Foster, assess, and strengthen inclusive relationships, both existing and potential, external and internal to Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State University to achieve campus demographics that are more reflective of national trends for women and under-represented minorities.
Action Item 2.2.1: Expansion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) campus initiatives.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.2.1.1: Campus DEI Council will be formed. Completed
- 2.2.1.2: Offer a variety of DEI initiatives each academic year for faculty, staff, and students in partnership with community and university resources
- 2.2.1.3: Continuously assess each DEI event for return on investment for its target audience.
Action Item 2.2.2: Partner with local organizations, alumni, Advisory Board, campus friends, to provide varied enrichment experiences for students.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.2.2.1: Utilize annual Advisory Board interests document to involve board members in campus events both academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular.
- 2.2.2.2: Utilize alumni interests to involve them in campus events.
- 2.2.2.3: Build on relationships with local organizations to co-host enrichment opportunities.
Action Item 2.2.4: Identify a STEM-oriented program and/or College such as Earth and Mineral Sciences, develop and market a pathway partnership for women and under-represented minorities to move seamlessly into a 2+2 major.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.2.4.1: Identify, develop, and market program to target population.
- 2.2.4.2: Minimum of two testimonial videos (one current and one graduate) added to website each academic year.
- 2.2.4.3: Evaluate success by defined goals of individual programs
- 2.2.4.4: Continuously assess each DEI event for return on investment for its target audience.
Action Item 2.2.6: Establish an initiative to encourage students to develop an enhanced curricular and co-curricular plan in partnership with Undergraduate Research and the Student Engagement Network.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.2.6.1: Incorporate units on Undergraduate Research and Student Engagement Network into First Year Seminar curriculum.
- 2.2.6.2: Educate and engage faculty to have students apply for Undergraduate Research opportunities and reinforce utilization of Student Engagement Network, https://www.engage.psu.edu/.
- 2.2.6.3: Track number of students engaged in Undergraduate Research.
- 2.2.6.4: Track students utilizing the Student Engagement Network.
- 2.2.6.5: Strategic Communications will feature one Celebration of Scholarship student project each academic year to promote in the local media and highlight on website and social media.
Objective 2.3: Community Partnerships
Collaborate with industry, community, Advisory Board, students, alumni, faculty, and staff to identify and engage existing and future partnerships with Penn State Wilkes-Barre as the educational institution of choice.
Action Item 2.3.1: Communicate our internship process to constituents so we can provide increased internship opportunities.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.3.1.1: Target Advisory Board, alumni, Continuing Education clients, campus vendors, and chamber of commerce contacts to communicate our process and increase internship opportunities.
- 2.3.1.2: A vibrant resource will be created and maintained that provides current opportunities for credit and experiential internships and the processes for each. Resource will be shared with students by Career Services.
Action Item 2.3.3: Expand collaboration with industry and non-profits to improve local economy and enhance worker education and training opportunities.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.3.3.1: Meet yearly with regional workforce and economic development constituents to learn trends and needs in order to create and market appropriate training opportunities.
- 2.3.3.2: Utilize Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry data (and other sources) to analyze and identify top employing industries, top skills within the industries, and training gaps and needs.
- 2.3.3.3: Develop, offer, and deliver appropriate training based on assessment of data.
Action Item 2.3.4: Increase intentional community involvement using expertise of faculty and staff on local boards as representatives of Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 2.3.4.1: Administration will poll Cabinet members for departmental volunteer engagement and board service activity.
- 2.3.4.2: Directors will encourage employee involvement with community organizations and professional associations.
- 2.3.4.3: Faculty will report community service on Faculty Activity Reports (FARs).
Goal 3: Sustainability
Promote sustainability in our teaching, co-curricular activities, outreach, and operations.
Objective 3.1: Sustainability in Teaching
Increase and promote sustainability in teaching through identification and amplification of courses and faculty development in this area.
Action Item 3.1.1: Identify, encourage, and promote sustainability themes in course offerings.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.1.1.1: Emphasize learning outcomes and objectives related to sustainability in courses on syllabi.
- 3.1.1.2: Use United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN) goal “badges” to identify key sustainability areas.
- 3.1.1.3: Promote courses with sustainability focus on Sustainability Council website and through Academic Advising.
- 3.1.1.4: Incorporate sustainability education into First Year Seminar curriculum to educate all new students about Penn State Wilkes-Barre sustainability efforts.
Action Item 3.1.2: Encourage and identify service learning projects.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.1.2.1: Encourage and identify service learning, undergraduate research, internships and student engagement activities with a sustainability connection.
- 3.1.2.2: Promote sustainability service-learning projects on campus social media and website.
Action Item 3.1.3: Strengthen sustainability education through collaborations with other campuses and cross-disciplinary interactions.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.1.3.1: Seek opportunities for faculty and classes from different campuses to collaborate and promote the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- 3.1.3.2: Seek opportunities for shared sustainability programs and activities.
Action Item 3.1.4: Encourage and acknowledge professional development for faculty in the area of sustainability.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.1.4.1: Use Faculty Activity Reports (FARs) to track number of professional development activities related to sustainability.
- 3.1.4.2: Promote faculty sustainability professional development on the PSWB Sustainability Council website.
Objective 3.2: Sustainability in Student Life
Increase and promote sustainability in student life and experience through intentional programs and activities.
Action Item 3.2.1: Promote sustainability education with special events and encourage student participation.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.2.1.1: Provide programming and events with a sustainability element.
- 3.2.1.2. Promote sustainability events and encourage participation by faculty, staff, and students.
- 3.2.1.3: Utilize Student Activity Fee for special events on sustainability.
- 3.2.1.4. Encourage sustainability events that bring together student life with faculty and staff.
Action Item 3.2.2: Provide additional services and resources to meet student needs.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.2.2.1: Expand the campus food bank, lending closet, and student emergency funds to provide greater resources to students as needed.
- 3.2.2.2: Inventory community services and resources that can benefit students.
- 3.2.2.3: Connect students to community services and resources to reduce dependency on the campus resources available.
Action Item 3.2.3: Provide programming that promotes personal fiscal responsibility and debt management for students.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.2.3.1: Expose all students to financial literacy training by including Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center Financial Literacy Modules in the First Year Seminar.
- 3.2.3.2: Implement a workshop series where faculty and staff provide additional educational opportunities for students on topics such as financial literacy, student loans and repayment plans, saving, budgeting, and credit scores.
Action Item 3.2.4: Develop and enhance financial resources for students.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.2.4.1: Encourage and promote work-study employment.
- 3.2.4.2. Organize a work-study job fair.
- 3.2.4.3: Identify student needs in partnership with Enrollment Management and the Campus Scholarship Committee.
- 3.2.4.4. Identify, cultivate, and solicit a donor prospect pool annually to address needs.
- 3.2.4.5. Identify Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR) goals and objectives, including any future campaign directives.
Objective 3.3: Sustainability in Outreach
Increase and promote sustainability in outreach through the identification of opportunities and partnerships with Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Action Item 3.3.1: Identify, develop and enhance partnerships and relationships with community sustainability experts and environmental groups.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.3.1.1: Identify community sustainability experts and environmental groups.
- 3.3.1.2: Collectively identify campus volunteers, organizations, community partners, and alumni to engage in sustainability efforts on campus.
- 3.3.1.3: Identify community connections and partnerships with an emphasis on sustainability
Action Item 3.3.2: Educate the community by publicizing the priority that Penn State Wilkes-Barre places on sustainability.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.3.2.1: Use the campus website and social media to educate the community on campus sustainability efforts.
- 3.3.2.2: Identify faculty, staff, and alumni for external speaking engagements on sustainability topics.
- 3.3.2.3: Utilize Student Facility Fee and development funds to promote sustainability projects (i.e., electric vehicle charging stations in campus parking lots).
Action Item 3.3.3: Seek out student internships with local businesses that focus on sustainability.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.3.3.1: Career Services leads an effort to track student internships and should identify companies with sustainability internship opportunities.
- 3.3.3.2: Identify area businesses with a sustainability component.
- 3.3.3.3: Seek funding for internships with a sustainability emphasis.
Action Item 3.3.4: Serve as a resource and liaison between the Penn State Wilkes-Barre community and the Penn State Sustainability Institute.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.3.4.1: Promote and support campus Sustainability Council.
- 3.3.4.2: Increase campus-wide participation in Sustainability Institute events and activities.
- 3.3.4.3: Promote Student Engagement Network “remote innovation grants”.
Objective 3.4: Sustainability in Operations
Foster integration of sustainable practices and efforts into all aspects of campus life at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Action Item 3.4.1: Develop a culture that embraces the efficient use of resources.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.4.1.1: Through the campus Sustainability Council and Cabinet, identify university-wide best practices to implement at the campus level.
- 3.4.1.2: Identify and implement best practices for the efficient use of resources and generation of cost savings.
Action Item 3.4.2: Encourage professional development for staff in the area of sustainability.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.4.2.1: Through the Learning Resource Network (LRN) and other opportunities identified by the campus Sustainability Council, incorporate sustainability training in Faculty Activity Reports faculty (FARs), and staff Job Responsibilities Worksheets (JRWs), and performance management goals.
- 3.4.2.2: Incorporate sustainability education into new employee on-boarding process in order to educate all new employees about campus sustainability efforts.
Action Item 3.4.3: Increase and promote sustainability in operations.
Action Item Implementation Tasks:
- 3.4.3.1: Analyze our operational footprint.
- 3.4.3.2: Identify opportunities for increased efficiencies.