K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan
College or Major Unit: Human Ecology
Department: Gerontology
1. What are your Department’s mission and vision and how does your organization contribute to achieving the University’s and your
College’s/Major Unit’s vision for K-State 2025?
Mission: The mission of the Center on Aging is to improve the quality of life for aging populations through innovative instruction, research and outreach.
Vision: The Center on Aging will contribute in moving K-State to top 30 status by 2025 through its programs in aging.
2. What are your Department’s key strategic activities and outcomes?
3. Identify [in brackets] which of your Department’s strategic outcomes are directly linked to your College’s/Major Unit’s outcomes. (If your
Department or similar unit is not in a College or Major Unit, skip this question.) This plan includes links to both College outcomes (e.g., R-1)
and University metrics ([e.g., B1, T1-2, etc.]).
Short Term (2013 - 2015)
Key Outcomes
Key Activities
What we plan to do…
1
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3
4
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5
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Add a faculty line for tenure track
position in the Center on Aging.
Expand the partnership with the
Kansas Department on Aging and
Disabilities Services (PEAK)
Promote action research projects
with Kansas nursing homes
Develop I-70 corridor research
collaboration with KU and MU to do
joint projects in environments for
aging
Develop industry partnerships
6
THEME II: UNDERGRADUATE
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
7
Retention
8
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9
What we expect to happen…
Long Term (2021 - 2025)
Key Outcomes
What we expect to happen…
R-1 There will be an increase in external
R-1 There will be an increase in external
THEME I: RESEARCH, SCHOLARLY AND R-1 There will be an increase in external
funding expenditures [B-1, T1-2] based on funding expenditures by 20% [B-1, T1-2]
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, AND DISCOVERY funding submissions to support faculty
research using FY2012 baseline data [B-1, FY2012 baseline data (contingent with
based on FY2012 baseline data
(RSCAD)

2
What we expect to happen…
Intermediate (2016 - 2020)
Key Outcomes
Provide workshops, education and
incentives to advisors across
campus programs to help them
recruit the best candidates for the
gerontology secondary major
Explore new programs for students
including:
o Study abroad
o Undergraduate research
o Experiential learning
o Older adult mentors
T1-2]
R-2 There will be an increase in the # of
peer reviewed faculty publications using
a FY 2012 baseline [T1-4]
growth in faculty).
R-2 There will be an increase in the # of
peer reviewed faculty publications based
on FY2012 baseline data. [T1-4]
(contingent on faculty growth)
R-2 There will be an increase in the # of
peer reviewed publications based on
FY2012 baseline data. [T1-4]
U-1 There will be an increase in the six
year graduation rate [B-7]
U-2 There will be an increase in the # of
students who have had the opportunity to
assist with faculty sponsored research
using FY12 baseline data [B-8]
U-3 A minimum of one undergrad student
will participate in the K-State Research
Forum or a national conference every
three years.
U-1 There will be an increase in the six
year graduation rate [B-7]
U-2 There will be a 10% increase in the #
of students who have had the opportunity
to assist with faculty sponsored research
using FY12 baseline data [B-8]
U-3 A minimum of one undergrad student
will participate in the K-State Research
Forum or a national conference every
three years.
U-1 There will be an increase in the six
year graduation rate [B-7]
U-2 There will be a 20% increase in
gerontology students who have had the
opportunity to assist with faculty
sponsored research [B-8]
U-3 A minimum of one undergrad student
will participate in the K-State Research
Forum or a national conference every
three years.
E-1 There will be an increase in numbers
of students participating in
engagement/service learning based on
FY12 baseline data [T4-2]
E-2 The # of participants involved in
community-based research and outreach
projects will increase based on FY2012
baseline data [T4-5]
E-1 There will be a 10% increase in
numbers of students participating in
engagement/service learning based on
FY12 baseline data [T4-2]
E-2 The # of participants involved in
community-based research and outreach
projects will increase by 10% based on
FY2012 baseline data [T4-5]
E-1 There will be a 20% increase in
numbers of students participating in
engagement/service learning based on
FY12 baseline data [T4-2]
E-2 The # of participants involved in
community-based research and outreach
projects will increase by 20% based on
FY2012 baseline data [T4-5]
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013


Engage alumni for opportunities for
students through internships,
mentoring and classroom
presentation.
Expand the secondary gerontology
major into the Salina campus to
enhance study options there.
Undergraduate Research
Exposure to Research
Exposure to the formal research process
(basic, applied, quantitative, qualitative)
typically gained through classroom experience
and leading to an appreciation for research
ideas, topics, and purpose.


Use the Center academic affairs
committee to examine inclusion of
research in current course offerings.
Improve our website to showcase
associate faculty research
Inclusion in Research
Inclusion into the steps of conducting
research, such as laboratory work, data
collection, or student assistance with research
projects.

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Consider developing an intersession
research class that would have
students doing applied research in a
local nursing home.
Add research projects to the senior
capstone course, Seminar in
Gerontology
Promote undergrad research to our
Associate faculty
THEME III: GRADUATE SCHOLARLY
EXPERIENCE
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Lead discussions about research
tracks for the Great Plains IDEA
graduate degree in gerontology
Examine the possibility of a PhD in
gerontology through Great Plains
IDEA
Increase graduate assistantships or
provide resources such as travel
funds to present research, graduate
committee memberships, etc.
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013
THEME IV: ENGAGEMENT, EXTENSION,
OUTREACH AND SERVICE
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Work with Meadowlark in creating
new learning and research
opportunities
Add relationships with other area
nursing homes (student volunteers,
teaching, and research)
Teach service learning to
gerontology faculty
Increase the number of service
learning opportunities for students
Provide travel funds for associate
faculty presenting aging information
at national conferences
4a. What resources and/or opportunities exist for your Department to achieve its vision and outcomes?
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Engaged associate faculty
Opportunities for growth through DCE
Committed and creative staff
Good relationships locally, state and nationally
Committed and flexible donors
Supportive Dean
4b. What resources and/or opportunities are needed for your Department to achieve its vision and outcomes?
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A faculty line committed to gerontology
A permanent office home
Improved alumni relationships
Permanent funding for instructor positions
5. How do you propose to acquire the resources needed for your Department to accomplish its vision and outcomes?
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Better alumni relationships/better donors
University support
Expanding program to Salina campus
Creative use of DCE
Creative use of student help
6. How does your plan link to the K-State 2025 University Benchmark Metrics, Common Elements, and Thematic Goals, Outcomes, and Metrics?
(See below)
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013
6. Departmental Links to K-State 2025 University Benchmark Metrics, Common Elements, and Thematic Goals, Outcomes, and Metrics
Links to Benchmark Metrics
B-1 - Total research and development expenditures
B-8 - Percent of undergraduate students involved in research
Links to Common Elements
CE-4 - External Constituents
CE-5 - Funding
Links to University Thematic Goals, Outcomes, and Metrics
Links to 2025
Thematic Goals and Metrics
T1 - Research, Scholarly and
Creative Activities, and Discovery
(RSCAD)
Theme 1 Metrics:
T1-1 - # of interdisciplinary research
projects, institutes, and centers
T1-2 - Total sponsored extramural
funding expenditures
T1-3 - # of juried, adjudicated, or
externally vetted performances,
shows and designs
Links to Short Term Outcomes
(2011 – 2015)
Links to Intermediate Outcomes
(2016 – 2020)
T1-A - Increased intellectual and
financial capital to support RSCAD
T1-I - Intellectual and financial capital
in place for expanded RSCAD efforts
T1-E - Competitive compensation
and support available to GRAs,
GTAs, and GAs
T1-M - Increased participation by
undergraduates in expanded
opportunities in research
T1-F - Enhanced and systematic
approach for UG research
Links to Long Term Outcomes
(2021 – 2025)
T1-O - Extramural funding
competitive with our benchmark
institutions
T1-P - Research and development
expenditures competitive with
benchmark institutions
T1-Q - Competitive amongst our
peers in the percentage of
undergraduates involved in research
T1-H - Enhanced visibility and
appreciation for research, discovery,
and scholarly and creative activities
T1-4 - # of refereed scholarly
publications per academic year and
allocated faculty member
T2 - Undergraduate Educational
Experience (UEE)
Theme 2 Metrics:
T2-2 - # and % of undergraduate
students completing an experiential
learning experience
T2-7 - Student satisfaction and
utilization rates
T2-A - Excellent, customized
academic advising and services
available to all students to support
their success and degree completion
T2-I - Integrated learning communities
experienced by students, faculty, and
staff that promote student success
within a culture of excellence
T2-B - Engaged students benefitting
from high impact educational
practices used by excellent faculty
and staff across the university
T2-J - Excellent reputation for high
quality teaching and advising that
prepares students for their
professional, community, social, and
personal lives
T2-C - Increased participation by
undergraduates in expanded
opportunities for meaningful
research
T2-K - Superior and diverse faculty
recognized for teaching excellence
T2-L - All UG students engaged in a
diversity of experiences that expand
their viewpoint
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013
T2-O - An undergraduate
educational experience recognized
as one of the best among the
nation's Top 50 Public Research
Universities
T2-P - Faculty teaching and advising
awards comparable to our
benchmark institutions
Links to University Thematic Goals, Outcomes, and Metrics
Links to 2025
Thematic Goals and Metrics
Links to Short Term Outcomes
(2011 – 2015)
Links to Intermediate Outcomes
(2016 – 2020)
T2-M - Increased undergraduate
contributions in the creation of
scholarship through research
Links to Long Term Outcomes
(2021 – 2025)
T2-N - Ongoing improvement of sixyear graduation rates and retention
ratios
T3 - Graduate Scholarly Experience
T3-A - Competitive compensation
and support available for GRAs,
GTAs, and GAs
T3-I - Increased participation by our
graduate students in unique high level
learning and experiential training
T3-1 - # and % of graduate students
with assistantships, endowed
scholarships, and fellowships
T3-C - Engaged graduate students
integrated in university life with
enhanced visibility and appreciation
T3-2 - Total funds awarded for
graduate assistantships, endowed
scholarships, and fellowships
T3-J - Expanded reputation for
outstanding graduates with the critical
skill sets needed to excel in their
careers in a global environment
T3-D - Outstanding mentoring for our
graduate students
T3-3 - # and % of graduate programs
offering competitive compensation
and support packages
T3-E - Expectation of excellence for
the graduate scholarly experience
Theme 3 Metrics:
T3-L - Increased number of nationally
and internationally recognized awardwinning graduate faculty
T3-4 - # of private/public sector
partnerships supporting graduate
experiential training opportunities
T3-5 - # of graduate students
participating in a unique high level
learning and experiential training
T3-8 - Graduate student satisfaction
and utilization rates
T4 - Engagement, Extension,
Outreach and Service
T4-A - Enhanced integration
between academics and student
service learning
Theme 4 Metrics:
T4-1 - # and % of undergraduate
students participating in
engagement/service learning
T4-B - Increased participation by
undergraduates in expanded
opportunities for meaningful
Engagement experiences
T4-3 - # of partnerships by sector and
geographic boundary supporting
collaborative research, education, and
engagement
T4-F - Recognition as leaders in
Engagement within our state and
nation
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013
T4-H - Exposure on a national level
as a leader/partner engaged in
significant social, political, health,
economic and, environmental issues
T4-N - Nationally recognized as a
leader in and model for a re-invented
and transformed land -grant
university integrating research,
education, and engagement
Links to University Thematic Goals, Outcomes, and Metrics
Links to 2025
Thematic Goals and Metrics
Links to Short Term Outcomes
(2011 – 2015)
T4-G - Enhanced visibility and
appreciation for Engagement and its
interconnectedness with research
and education within our university
community
T5 - Faculty and Staff
Theme 5 Metrics:
T5-1 - # of national and international
faculty awards
T5-7 - % of faculty and staff reporting
satisfaction in the work environment
K-State 2025 Strategic Action and Alignment Plan for Gerontology
June 2013
Links to Intermediate Outcomes
(2016 – 2020)
Links to Long Term Outcomes
(2021 – 2025)