First College Assembly of the 2011-2012 Academic Year Held on September 19

President Hayward and Sister Barbara Davis, SC gave a brief update about our August 16-17, 2011 Summit. Copies of the Strategic Plan V 2.0 as well as the summary of Summit documents and process were distributed. Full copies of all the Summit reports are posted on the Mercy 2020 course on D2L. A blog entry about the Summit has also been posted at mercy2020.com. President Hayward thanked everyone for their support of the Strategic Planning process and announced that he will be naming the Implementation Team within the week.

Below is a video clip of President Hayward giving the 2020 Update during the College Assembly.

During the question and answer period following the table review of department/division reports, question was raised regarding the plan to move forward with the “great ideas” from the Summit, in light of our budget issues. President Hayward responded that consideration of resources will surely be part of the development of action plans to meet our goals. We will continue to move forward with our plans.

Sister Barbara led the assembly in an activity entitled: “Inter-Departmental Requests: We Care Enough to Send the Very Best.” Each table group was asked to identify the things they would like the identified groups to start, stop, or continue to do differently in the future in order to ensure that we move forward together. For this discussion, the library, IS Department and Department of Student Records were the recipients of the responses from each table. A follow-up report will be given by each of these departments at the October 24 College Assembly identifying: (a) this is what we heard you say, (b) this is our progress to date, and (c) this is our commitment to you as we moving forward.

Commitment to the on-going work of Strategic Planning process continues to be a high priority for the Mercy College community.

View Strategic Plan V2.0 - Click Here
View the Mercy 2020 Summit Summary - Click Here
View the Inter-Departmental Requests (Valentine) Handout - Click Here

Mercy College Summit Summary - A VIEW OF THE SUMMIT

Over 150 participants gathered for the Mercy 2020 Summit held on August 16 and 17 at the Sullivan Center, Gesu Catholic Parish, in Toledo. Representatives from the Mercy College Board of Trustees, Board of Directors for the Mercy College Foundation, Mercy College Alumni Association Board, Mercy College Auxiliary Board, and the student body along with all faculty and staff of the College brought the purpose of the days - “A View from the Summit…..Your voice in our future success” – to life.

Processes throughout both days led us to the creation of our Strategic Plan Version 2.0 – Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals – based on the initial plan prepared by the Strategic Planning Committee in April (version 0.0) and refined by our Leadership Council at an all day retreat on June 21 (version 1.0). As each statement was presented Wednesday morning, participants were asked to give a thumbs up (yes, I accept), thumbs down (no, I do not accept), or thumbs in the middle (I’m not sure) sign. Literally the room was a “sea” of thumbs up and gave testimony to the intense dialogue that had occurred on Tuesday. 

In many ways the Summit was a culmination of months of preparation on behalf of Executive Staff, Leadership Council, Strategic Planning Committee, and Design Team working with all faculty and staff. Yet, too, in many ways the Summit was a beginning. Now the process continues as we develop and clarify specific action plans both at the institutional and departmental/division levels related to each of the goals. The high level of commitment and support from Summit participants is indicative that we will indeed accomplish what we set out to do. We have a “view” and our voices “in our future success” have been heard.

Enjoy the slide show overview of the Summit!

Please take time to review the key documents from the Summit posted on D2L: https://mercycollege.desire2learn.com/d2l/lp/homepage/home.d2l?ou=7609

1. Strategic Plan Version 2.0 
2. Summit Summary Reports and Update 
3. Overview of the Glads, Mads, and Sads – statements as well as “votes” 
4. “Voting” on the action steps for each goal sorted by number of “green dots” received 
5. Summary of evaluations from day 1 and day 2

A View from the Summit - Your Voice in Our Future Success

Members of the Design Team (students Craig Cousino, Deena Cowell, Julie Ziegler; faculty and staff: Deb Crowl, Sister Barbara Davis, SC, Lori Edgeworth, Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S., Barb Eyler, Susan Klarr, Lee Krähenbühl, Therese Pitzulo and Dr. Steve Cady, our consultant) met three times during the summer months to plan the agenda and processes for our Summit.

MERCY 2020 SUMMIT

Tuesday, August 16

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. – hot breakfast and registration

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Summit

Wednesday, August 17

7:00 to 8:00 a.m. – hot breakfast and registration

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – Summit

Box lunch provided at noon

Location: 

Sullivan Center at Gesu Catholic Parish

2049 Parkside Blvd.

Toledo, OH 43607

Map

These days will provide all participants, including students, alumni, and members of the Mercy College Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Alumni Board, and Auxiliary Board, in addition to faculty, staff, and administration, the opportunity to examine the current status of our College and to create the Strategic Plan which will move us into our preferred future. Our plan will include our Mission, Vision, Values, Goals, and specific action plans to address each goal. 

Central to the work of this day and a half experience is the belief and reality that EVERY voice is important and needed as we plan for our future success. 

Throughout this year some 40 members of the College community have been engaged in the preparation of our Summit: Executive Staff, Leadership Council, Strategic Planning Committee, and Design Team. Each of these individuals have contributed their insights and collectively we are excited for the Summit to begin! We look forward to engaging with all of the Summit participants on August 16 and 17. 

View the video below to hear what members of the Design Team have to say about what excites them about the upcoming Summit.

Summer Strategic Planning Update

Mercy College’s Leadership Council gathered at Walbridge Park on Tuesday, June 21, for a Strategic Planning Retreat. The purpose of the day was to draft version 1.0 of Mercy College’s Strategic Plan to be presented to participants at the Mercy 2020 Summit on August 16 and 17. This version was developed based on the initial plan created by members of the Mercy 2020 Steering Committee.

The opening activity engaged individuals in filling in events on a time line dating from 1920 to the present. Noted were things occurring in the world, at Mercy College (Mercy School of Nursing), within one’s department or division at Mercy, and in one’s personal life. This time line provided interesting data for small group discussions throughout the day.

Work teams rotated to five stations to discuss these areas:

1. Significant events in the history of Mercy School of Nursing/Mercy College and a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of the College.
2. Mission and Vision Statements for the College
3. Goals 
4. Core Values and Learning Outcomes
5. Strategic Planning Form and Guidebook – tools that will be used in the implementation of our Strategic Plan

Toward the end of the day, the leader for each “station” shared the day’s discussion with the whole group. Lastly all participated in the process of writing the mission, vision, values, and goal statements for version 1.0 of the Strategic Plan. Please review the video below

MERCY 2020 SUMMIT

Tuesday, August 16

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. – hot breakfast and registration

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Summit

Wednesday, August 17

7:00 to 8:00 a.m. – hot breakfast and registration

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – Summit

Box lunch provided at noon

Location: 

Sullivan Center at Gesu Catholic Parish

2049 Parkside Blvd.

Toledo, OH 43607

Map

College Assembly 4-11-11 Summary

Mike Whalen called the meeting to order and Sister Sally Bohnett offered the opening prayer.

President John Hayward, who was in Chicago attending the HLC Conference, called to award this year’s Mind, Heart, Hand Award to Sister Karen Elliott, C.PP.S. He recognized Sr. Karen for her commitment to the Mercy Values, and for always being available to help students.

Prior to the Table Chat, Dr. Steve Cady re-introduced the “Collaboration & Change” graph from last August and Victor Monroe shared a fictional short story to explain the D x V x F x S > R formula.

Our Table Chat addressed three questions:

• What is my name? What do I do? Something good that has happened in my work recently is … 
• Diagnosing Our Culture: In terms of the 2x2Collaboration Model, I would say Mercy College is current in the _______ Quadrant. I would like to see us move in this direction…..Put an X where you see Mercy today and an O where you would like Mercy to be in the future. 
• In terms of the D x V x F x S > R Change Formula, the one element that is most important to me is … and this is why…. 

Mike Whalen announced:

• Aimee Bishop-Stuart has been named Admissions Director; Dr. Patricia McAllen has been selected as an NLN Ambassador for Mercy College; and Brandy Bennett returns on a contingent basis as Admissions Officer for Adult and Transfer Students. 
• As of today we have a 40% participation rate in the Employee Campaign. The Campaign ends on April 29. 
• The Sounds of Spring event on April 8 was a success, raising $8,000 for student scholarships. 
• The Alumni Board established the Helen Mae Dickman Endowed Fund. 

Deb Crowl provided the 2020 Update for Sister Barbara Davis, SC, who was at a conference in Cincinnati. She asked for volunteers to help her plan Strategic Planning events and the Mercy College Summit in August. The Summit will be a huge event involving students, alumni and Mercy College constituents. Those interested in helping with the planning of these events should email President John Hayward.

Dan Hoppe, Director of Distance Education, presented the Webbie Award to Todd Cotten, Instructional Technologist, and to Sarah McCorkle, Instructional Designer.

View the video to see highlights of this Assembly.

College Assembly 3-14-11 and SPC Meeting 3-18-11 Summary

President Hayward called the Assembly to order at 12:00 noon and invited Sister Sally Bohnett to offer the opening prayer.

Prior to the Table Chat, Dan Hoppe provided an overview about Desire2Learn (D2L): why D2L, how it works, what are the uses of D2L, and how one gains access. Deb Johnson spoke briefly about including videos and book in class information. Videos, or video clips, can be incorporated within D2L class shells.

Our Table Chat addressed four questions:

• What do I do and for how look have I been doing it? Why does it matter? 
• In terms of my work, these are the ways I am using technology to collaborate and learn with others… 
• As I look to the future, these are the ways D2L can be utilized in the classroom, outside the classroom, with the learning library. 
• What questions or suggestions do I have for Dan regarding D2L? 

Reports regarding the Youngstown campus, student formation, facilities, academic programs, advancement, student records, institutional research, finances, enrollment services, and Short Term Education Programs were circulated prior to this Assembly. A question for clarification was directed to Heather Hoppe regarding responses in the recent student survey related to extended hours of operation for various offices and services on campus. Heather noted that conversations are occurring now with the personnel involved in each of the areas to ascertain what changes in hours of operation might be made effective with the fall 2012 semester. Deb Johnson, head librarian, noted that there are very few students who take advantage of extended hours in the library during the week or on weekends. Currently the library remains open until the start of the last class on campus on any given weekday.

Dan Hoppe presented the Webbie Award to Dr. Sung-Chang Chun for his work in developing and enhancing his courses offered through D2L.

Dr. Mary Bergs reminded everyone of the Spring Humanities event that will be held on Monday, March 28, at noon in room 3302.

View the video for information about this College Assembly as well as an update from the Strategic Planning Committee below.

College Assembly held on February 14, 2011

The “table chat” at the February 14 College Assembly provided opportunity for attendees to identify which of the seven outcomes for the Mercy 2020 Initiative is most important and why. As table reporters shared responses with the whole group, it was noted that every outcome was cited by at least one table. Outcome number three, “Craft a flexible (adaptive, dynamic, evolving, living) strategic plan that addresses the immediate needs (opportunities) and focuses on the long-term vision for the College,” was cited most frequently.

Table groups also spoke to the advantages of Max-Mix seating and to those of self-selected seating. While participants noted that, at times, it is easier to be seated with co-workers, a number of advantages for Max-Mix seating were cited.

During the progress report about the Mercy 2020 Initiative, Dr. Steven Cady outlined the steps in the process which have already been completed. He noted that the Strategic Planning Committee will be working on designing the template and initial draft 1.0 of the Strategic Plan which will be used as a starting point for conversation at a Whole College Event to be held in August 2011. A separate Design Team for this event is being formed. A number of references for articles, websites, and videos related to whole system change in higher education were listed in the handout provided to attendees. All were reminded to visit www.Mercy2020.com to check the blog entries.

Take a few minutes to view Deb Crowl’s summary of the Assembly.