Strategic Planning
College
Division
Biology Department
Examples of reforms facilitated by
institutional planning
• Further integration of mathematics and
computer science in the biology curriculum
• Retooling the faculty will require that the
institution invest in faculty development
• In light of the challenges in obtaining
research grants, institutions will need to
make a greater commitment to providing
intramural funds
Divisions at Morehouse College
• Science and Mathematics
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Business and Economics
Strategic Planning
College
Division
Biology Department
Departments in the Division of
Science and Mathematics
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Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Selected Early Objectives of the
Division of Science and
Mathematics
• To enhance learning among students
• To foster development of interdisciplinary
curricula and research
• To promote the development of faculty
• To plan the strategic development of the
sciences and mathematics at the College
Division-led Projects to Achieve
Objectives
• Provide a competitive start-up package
and 50% release from teaching for 2 years
• Sponsor workshops on Teaching and
Learning
• Hired an instructional technologist who
has led effort to put course material online
• Support the implementation of PLTL in
gatekeeper courses across the Division
Division-led Projects to Achieve
Objectives (cont.)
• In conjunction with the Development Office, the
Division has raised funds towards establishing a
$5 million research endowment fund
• Supported the development of interdisciplinary
minors in Neuroscience and Bioinformatics
• Supported the development of a grant to HHMI
which includes hiring an interdisciplinary faculty
member.
Division-led projects to Achieve
Objectives (cont.)
• Provided financial support to establish a
state-of-the-art teaching demonstration
laboratory
• Coordinated the development of 5 year
strategic plans for the 6 departments in the
Division
Areas of Department Focus
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Faculty Vitality and Distinction
Student Development
Research
Enhanced Productivity and Quality
Assurance
Some Common Department
Objectives
• Support efforts of faculty in submitting
grants for research and educational
program development
• Promote interdisciplinary education among
students
• Foster integration of research in the
curriculum
• Improve assessment of the curriculum for
majors
College Goals in the new 5 year
Strategic Plan
• Enhance classroom instruction
• Promote and support faculty research
• Support an undergraduate research
program
Lessons Learned
• Align reform in the Biology Department with Strategic
Planning at the College
• Seek to play a role in setting College (University) goals
and objectives
• Use Division of Science and Mathematics or some other
administrative unit larger than the Biology Department to
support and coordinate reform
• Check to be sure that reform priorities of the Biology
Department are on the list of fundraising priorities of the
Institution’s Development Office
• External funding is needed to catalyze reform until the
benefits of reform are clear to the administration.