IU 2030 Strategic Plan: 91�Թ��: 91�Թ�� University Fort Wayne

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IU 2030 Strategic Plan

IU 2030 Strategic Plan

A bold, ambitious future

For more than 200 years, 91�Թ�� University has built a globally recognized reputation for academic rigor, world-renowned research, and creative excellence while serving 91�Թ��, the nation, and the world.

United by an aspirational vision for IU’s third century, outlines an ambitious and shared path to new heights for IU that reaffirms the university’s rightful place within the highest tier of American public higher education.

It establishes three foundational pillars to guide the many contributions of faculty and staff across IU:

Student success and opportunity

A commitment to affordability and a student experience that equips graduates for resounding success in the workplace and beyond.

Transformative research and creativity

A commitment to the pursuit of discovery, creativity, and innovation that improves communities and changes lives.

Service to our state and beyond

A commitment to engagement, partnership, and collaboration that strengthens the vitality of 91�Թ��, the nation, and the world.

Guided by these three pillars and , IU 2030 imagines an extraordinary impact—in students transformed, discoveries made, and communities strengthened—that few public research universities can even contemplate.

The university and campus plans form a holistic vision, marked by clear objectives and metrics of success, for IU’s aspirations for student success, research and creative impact, and service to the state of 91�Թ�� and beyond.

With more than 90,000 students, a living alumni base that places IU among the top five of all national research universities, and nearly 1,000 academic programs, IU’s vast reach will ensure that the outcomes of IU 2030 are felt worldwide—from Hoosier hometowns to communities across the globe.

Pillar 1: Student Success

The success of our students is immensely important to IU Fort Wayne. Student success dictates how we structure our programs, design our curricula, and position ourselves to respond to the evolving demands of the workforce. Metrics to assess progress toward our goals will be benchmarked against our peer institutions wherever possible and will include enrollments, retention rates, graduation rates, career outcomes, and other related measures of success.

Strengthening student enrollment is particularly important as the number of high school graduates begins to decline and as competition among 4-year institutions for student enrollment increases. IU Fort Wayne must broaden and diversify key strategies aimed at stabilizing and expanding enrollment through improved retention, and attractive and relevant academic programs.

Objective 1: Expand academic offerings through new or related majors, degrees, certificates and more
Increase new academic offerings by 50% over the strategic planning period above the current 12 offerings.
Objective 2: Increase awareness of IU Fort Wayne throughout Northeast 91�Թ��
Repeat market research study in 2026, increase leading awareness indicators over baseline from the 2021 market research study by 30%.
Objective 3: Enhance student support services to extend beyond traditional students
Disaggregated retention rates by demographic (TBD) and establish campus-level retention to that within top 25% of peer institutions.

It has long been understood that student success is rooted in an enjoyable and supportive student experience. Engaging student life and an equitable campus experience will form the foundation of our student retention efforts and ultimate level of student success.

Objective 1: Increase student engagement outside of the classroom
Increase the annual rate of student involvement in events to 80% from (TBD).
Objective 2: Increase faculty/staff engagement with campus events
Increased rate of faculty/staff involvement in events to 85% from (TBD).
Objective 3: Creation of student-centered space for IU Fort Wayne students
Increase Sq footage commensurate with SB growth from current level of 28,000sq ft./900 UGSB.

Enhancing retention and improving on-time graduation will strengthen student enrollment, and ultimately support the region’s workforce needs.

Objective 1: Build a sense of campus identity and belonging
Via student survey data - Improve survey results in areas of belonging by 25% from (TBD).
Increase IU student event participation in student government and student lead organizations by 25% from (TBD).
Objective 2: Provide robust student mentoring opportunities
100% of freshmen and first- generation students offered mentoring.
Attain graduation and retention rates within that of top 25% peer-institutions.
Objective 3: Improve early alert system/process
Establish a PFW to IUFW early warning system or process by Fall 2024.
Attain retention rates within that of top 25% peer-institutions.
Objective 4: Develop a bridge program for incoming first-year students to engage at an earlier point
Pilot a bridge program by fall 2024, building out for all incoming freshman students by 2026.

The classroom environment and learning experience play a critical role in student satisfaction and success. IU Fort Wayne strives to ensure faculty have the resources and knowledge needed to provide a robust and innovative learning experience for all students.

Objective 1: Improve and increase integration of IPE (Interprofessional Education)
Increase IPE credit hours by 50% from (TBD).
Each IUFW student will engage in a minimum of one IPE experience each academic year.
Objective 2: Broaden available trainings for facultyEstablish/link a minimum of one training program each semester to foster faculty engagement with best practices in curricula, pedagogy, and inclusive teaching practices.
Increase faculty participation in trainings by 30% from (TBD).

IU Fort Wayne is uniquely positioned to exploit some of the industry’s emerging and best practices regarding high impact experiences. With our focus on degrees in the health professions, IU Fort Wayne will leverage opportunities of inter-professional education, service learning, and cultural immersion.

Objective 1: Grow Service-Learning opportunities for all students
Increase Service-Learning credit hours and hours engaged in activities by 30% from (TBD).
Objective 2: Broaden IPE offerings to engage more students and across more disciplines
Increase IPE credit hours offered/taken by 25% from (TBD).
Each student will participate in at least one IPE experience per academic year.
Objective 3: Enhance professional and cultural immersion for students to broaden their exposure and understandings
Increase number of available experiences per academic year by 25%.
Increase number of student hours engaged in related activities by 25% from (TBD).

Student success is often measured through student career outcomes following graduation or their desire to continue to higher levels of education. IU Fort Wayne is committed to positive student outcomes and will work to ensure every student reaches their end goal, be that further education or joining the workforce in their chosen health-related field.

Objective 1: Identify and strengthen employment/further-education rates amongst graduates
Via “First Destination Survey” or other tracking method, attain job placement rates greater than that of top 25% of peer institutions.
Objective 2: Improve licensure and certification rates
Maintain licensure and certification exams pass rates within those of top 25% of peer institutions and greater than or equal to state/national averages.
Objective 3: Integrate community engagement and service learning into academic programs
Each IUFW graduate will have a minimum of three community engagement/service-learning experiences over their academic career.

IU Fort Wayne, in its current state, is primarily dedicated to undergraduate education. To be relevant in our market and to attract students, we need to expand our graduate offerings. This will also expand our ability to meet workforce needs at another level.

Objective 1: Add additional graduate programs that support the academic mission of the campus
Add a minimum of three new graduate programs in alignment with workforce needs during this strategic plan period.
Objective 2: Develop infrastructure to support future graduate programs
Establish staff positions to support graduate study commensurate with the number of programs and graduate student body.

Pillar 2: Transformative Research

Undergraduate and graduate research, discovery, and creative activity are critical to the vitality and national reputation of academic degree programs. The translation of research into application and practice benefits our state through innovative solutions to pressing problems and help drive economic development. Successes in this area will be measured through increased support for faculty research, increased projects and collaborations that address community public health issues, increased number of pedagogical research initiatives, increased use of technology and space for research, increased DEI research, and increased innovative and entrepreneurial partnerships.

Community-engaged research highlights the relevance of collaborative scholarly endeavors. With the focus on health professions education, IU Fort Wayne is uniquely positioned to collaborate with community partners and contribute to studying and addressing identified community public health issues.

Objective 1: Engage in research regarding critical community public health issues that are aligned with the expertise of faculty at IU Fort Wayne.
Based on community needs, complete and disseminate, one to three research studies over the term of the strategic plan period.
Objective 2: Cultivate relationships with community stakeholders to promote public dissemination of scholarly activities
Establish at least three mechanisms of dissemination across varied stakeholders.
Objective 3: Enhance interdisciplinary work and collaboration across schools related to research projects
Establish at least one new or continuing interdepartmental collaboration project per year.

The expansion of faculty development and support in research fosters enhanced scholarly contributions from not only faculty, but also students. Through building an outstanding research reputation, IU Fort Wayne will attract and retain exceptional faculty and students.

Objective 1: Increase faculty professional development opportunities
Meet with faculty no less than annually to review and guide needs and opportunities; each faculty member will have an individualized development plan.
Objective 2: Identify and develop support for faculty to increase research skills and engagement
Meet with faculty no less than annually to review and guide needs and opportunities; all applicable faculty will have an individualized research plan.
Increasing number of completed and ongoing research studies aggregated across the campus by 25%.

High-impact transformational research has the potential to impact current understanding and practices. Research related to best practices in well-being, health care, and health education will strengthen the impact of IU Fort Wayne’s research on the members of our community and beyond.

Objective 1: Develop research related to best practices for the enhancement of the health and well-being of Northeast 91�Թ��
Increase number of research programs related to best practices by 20%.
Objective 2: Establish the Boyer model as a framework to promote the scholarship of teaching and learning research
Increase number of pedagogical research initiatives by 20% from (TBD).
Increase IUFW grant applications for educational research by 20% from (TBD).

In order for institutional research activities to flourish, appropriate infrastructure is vital. To cultivate a robust research program, IU Fort Wayne must enhance the availability and use of information technology and develop physical space for the purpose of research.

Objective 1: Improve research productivity of faculty by promoting awareness and providing appropriate IT resources where required
Via survey, increase IUFW satisfaction with internet and IT responsiveness related to research needs by 20% from baseline (TBD).
Increase number of grants, publications, and presentations by 30%
Objective 2: Build/procure new infrastructure to connect existing faculty research and scholarship communities to expand research opportunities
Identify faculty needs for space to support research and scholarship.
Create IU research and support space and expand commensurate with increasing research activity.

Translating research into practice results in benefits to people. Establishing partnerships for product development and entrepreneurial ventures will afford IU Fort Wayne the opportunity to put research into clinical practice.

Objective 1: Identify sources of funding and expertise to support translation of bench and pre-clinical health research
Expand number of partnerships, collaborations, products developed by 15%.
Objective 2: Provide education opportunities for faculty on the process of innovation (I), translational research (TR) and entrepreneurship (E)
Increase the number of faculty education opportunities by 25%.
Objective 3: Develop educational course offerings for students focused on biomedical innovation (I), translational research (TR), and entrepreneurship (E)
Increase number of student courses (or components) related to research by 50%.
Objective 4: Support faculty entrepreneurship through partnership with area universities and businesses
Expand the number of partnerships, collaborations, and products developed through entrepreneurship by 10%.

Pillar 3: Service to the State of 91�Թ��

As a public higher education institution, generously supported by the State of 91�Թ�� and focused on providing academic credentials to Hoosiers, our activities in teaching, scholarship, and service must remain focused on supporting our state and particularly the Northeast 91�Թ�� region which we primarily serve. IU Fort Wayne must be a leader in helping to address some of our state’s greatest challenges, particularly issues related to the education of health professionals and creation of pathways from K-12 to higher education, as well as the enhancement of the health and well-being of citizens. Success in this area will be measured through metrics specific to the areas of K-12 education, service to our community, and economic development.

Northeast 91�Թ�� is a growing region, and the Fort Wayne metropolitan area has been the fastest growing in the Great Lakes/Midwest region over the past two years. The population is growing as a result of domestic migration from other areas and has a strong history of attracting immigrants and refugees. From 2011-2016, 24.7% of the population growth was attributed to immigrants. These individuals add to the fabric of a region that was founded by European immigrants, thus adding to the richness of our population, and underscoring the need for cultural competence, awareness of determinants of health, and a global perspective at the local level.

Objective 1: Strengthen campus-wide understanding of social determinants of health, explore how these concepts are at play across Northeast 91�Թ��, and focus curricula and programming to increase health and well-being
Increase number of students, faculty and staff participating in learning opportunities related to social determinants of health by 25% over current level (TBD)
Objective 2: Identify and serve unique needs of rural, urban, domestic, and international students at IU Fort Wayne
Increase rural practicum/internship sites and affiliation agreements by 20%.

Objective 3: Promote and advance cultural understanding throughout the IU Fort Wayne campus
Increase/link number of cultural understanding learning opportunities made available by 25%.

IU Fort Wayne seeks to lead in the education of health professionals for the Northeast 91�Թ�� region. Healthcare is the second largest employment sector in the region with significant gaps between the need for health professionals and the supply of educated and credentialed individuals. Evidence demonstrates that awareness of the multiplicity of health careers is not evident to students. Additionally, students tend to make career decisions based on what they know in middle-school, and because an emphasis on a college preparatory high school education with a strong science and math basis is required for post-secondary education in the health professions, IU Fort Wayne is dedicated to partnering with the K-12 public and private school systems to promote the health professions as a career choice.

Objective 1: Increase IU Fort Wayne visibility and presence in, and enrollment from, public and private K-12 school corporations in Northeast 91�Թ��
Incrementally increase enrollment from NE 91�Թ�� regional high schools by 5% or more over the current enrollment number (TBD).
Objective 2: Develop partnerships and/or initiatives between IU Fort Wayne programs and K-12 educators
Increase number of collaborations/activities with K-12 entities by 10%.

The health outcomes for the State of 91�Թ�� are in significant need of improvement. The Centers for Disease Control demonstrate that the age adjusted deaths for 91�Թ�� from the 10 leading causes of mortality are greater than the rate for the United States as a whole, and the infant mortality rate is 6.75 per 1000 births, with only eight states with worse outcomes. IU Fort Wayne, as a leading educator of health professionals, is positioned to address the health and well-being of our region.

Objective 1: IU Fort Wayne will serve as a leader by graduating increased numbers of health professionals to serve Northeast 91�Թ�� and beyond
Increase graduation rate to rival top 25% of peer institutions.
Increase annual size of graduating undergraduate classes by 5% year over year from our 2022 volume of 160 students.
Objective 2: IU Fort Wayne will emphasize the advancement of health and well-being through co-curricular activities and programming
Increase number of impactful programs offered to the community related to health and well-being by 50% over the current number of four per year.

Healthcare is the second largest employment sector (behind manufacturing) and a significant shortfall in supply is present currently and is projected to worsen over the next decade. IU Fort Wayne, as a leading educator of health professionals, is positioned to address this workforce need. Factors have been found that impede this capacity, including lack of awareness of IU Fort Wayne’s status since the 2018 realignment of 91�Թ�� Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). The creation of a new health professions university continues to need amplification so this institution of higher education can reach its potential to contribute to this significant shortfall of health professionals.

Objective 1: Optimize the visibility of IU Fort Wayne to foster growth and serve the Northeast 91�Թ�� region
Navigate barriers to external signage showing IU Fort Wayne’s presence on the campus.
Install signage at strategic locations to assure evidence of IU Fort Wayne’s presence on campus.
Objective 2: Create more opportunities for students to advance the 91�Թ�� workforce in the health professions through educational pathways
Expand the number of new or emerging partnerships/pathways by 25%.
Objective 3: Develop focused opportunities, and marketing and outreach plan to non-traditional students, including non-degree continuing education programming
Incrementally increase enrollment of non- traditional, adult, second career and second-degree students by 5% over the 2022 base of (TBD).
Offer a minimum of one Continuing Education program per year.

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