Mercy College Assemblies were held on Monday, October 24, and Monday, November 21. Table groups had the opportunity to discuss reports from Leadership Council as well Interdepartmental Feedback reports from the IS Department, Division of Student Records, Library, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Division of Distance Education, and Division of Student Formation. The Interdepartmental Feedback process has served a twofold purpose: educating faculty and staff about the responsibilities of the department/divisions and providing affirmation for what is working as well as new ideas that might enhance the work of the department/division. There was opportunity for attendees to raise questions for clarification about the reports. The process has strengthened dialogue and has helped everyone to be better informed about the day-to-day operations throughout the College community.
Reports from the Strategic Planning Implementation Team were presented at both Assemblies. President Hayward has given three “charges” to the team:
To hone the topics identified at the Summit
To develop institutional objectives in conjunction with Executive Staff and Leadership Council
To provide reports of the team’s work to the College community.
At the November 21 Assembly, all faculty and staff were invited to join one of the Action Teams that have been created to develop specific action steps for each of the eleven institutional objectives identified by the Implementation Team. Objectives are related to classroom technology, diversity, service learning, healthy environment, facilities, scholarships and financial aid, budgeting process, professional development, new programs and services, retention of students, planned growth of the College, marketing, and the Youngstown campus. Data from the August 2011 Summit was used to determine priorities.
Each department and division within the College has developed its objectives related to the goals of the College’s Strategic Plan developed in August 2011.
Watch the video to hear Lori Edgeworth, Director of Career and Professional Development, provide a summary of these Assemblies from her perspective.
President John Hayward appointed the following individuals to serve on the Implementation Team: Mike Whalen, chairperson; Deb Crowl; Sister Barbara Davis, SC; Lori Edgeworth; Dr. Karen Elliott, C.PP.S.; Heather Hoppe; Victor Monroe; Therese Pitzulo; Dr. Kim Watson. Dr. Steve Cady serves as facilitator/director for the work of the Implementation Team.
At the initial meeting of the team held on October 4, President Hayward presented three tasks to the team:
To hone the topics identified at the Summit
To develop institutional objectives in conjunction with Executive Staff and Leadership Council
To provide reports of the team’s work to the College community
The task of developing institutional objectives was the work of four team meetings (October 18, October 26, November 2, November 7, and November 16). Team members identified the following criteria as a basis for determining objectives:
Objectives are to be broad enough to encompass more than one department/division within the College
Data from the August Summit support the identification of each objective
Our Youngstown campus is to be included in the development of action steps for each objective
Executive Staff and Leadership Council reviewed the work of the Implementation Team prior to the presentation at the November 21 College Assembly. There was an “open invitation” to faculty and staff to volunteer to serve on one of the Action Teams, according to his/her interest in the indentified areas. A member of the Implementation Team and a member of Leadership Council will serve as co-chairs for each Action Team.
Action Teams were named in early December.
Mike Whalen, chair of the Implementation Team, provides an update on the work accomplished thus far (see video below).
