Town Hall updates campus on Long Range Strategic Plan

Trustee Jeffrey Humber, a member of the Long Range Strategic Plan (LRSP) Implementation Work Group, gives background on the LRSP at a Semptember 15 Town Hall meeting while President Davila and members of the work group look on. (Also pictured is Gallaudet Interpreting Services Interpreter Joseph Lucas.)

The campus community got an update on Gallaudet’s ongoing efforts to implement its Long Range Strategic Plan (LRSP), a measure that will help to ensure that the University remains competitive in the ever-changing face of higher education at a September 15 Town Hall led by President Davila and the LRSP Implementation Work Group.

Trustee Jeffrey Humber, a member of the work group, made an analogy between his career in business and the field of higher education: to be successful, both need to keep abreast of market trends. Gallaudet began work on the LRSP last October to meet the needs of the next generation of college students, and according to Humber, the Board of Trustees is committed to seeing that it succeeds. In fact, he added, “The board doesn’t view any issue at the University more important than getting the strategic plan right.”

The board passed a plan in May to guide the University from 2010 to 2015, and set five goals related to increased enrollment and graduation rates, maintaining a strong fiscal foundation, offering undergraduate and graduate programs that best position students for success, and reinforcing Gallaudet’s role as a leader in research  related to deaf and hard of hearing people. Implementing these goals was a primary focus at a July retreat held by the trustees.

“This plan will help us serve our students in better ways,” said Dr. Davila. He thanked Humber and the other trustees for sharing their skills and knowledge to see that the LRSP comes to fruition. Davila also expressed his appreciation to the University’s consultants, Booz Allen Hamilton, for compiling the necessary data to give the University a clear idea of the steps it needs to take. He added that the key to success of the LRSP lies in the hands of the entire University community, since everyone will play a role in its implementation.

Davila reiterated to the audience that the status quo is a thing of the past and that Gallaudet is no longer “the only game in town” for college-bound deaf and hard of hearing students. Improved retention and graduation rates, and a reputation of providing services that will ensure academic success and a professional career after graduation will also serve to attract more students, he added.  “The burden of proof for us is to show that once they come here it is the best investment of their lives,” said Davila.

The University has much hard work ahead of it as the implementation phase of the LRSP unfolds, said Davila. The Implementation Work Group and the consultants are working on specific steps that will be taken to put the plan into action, and a report will be made to the Board of Trustees. Davila assured the audience that the community will be involved in the procedure, and it will be kept informed as progress is made.

(Note: For more information on the LRSP, go to planning.gallaudet.edu.)