Striving to Become a Center of
Excellence: Asa H. Gordon Library
(Savannah State University) Response to
University’s Strategic Plan
Mary Jo Fayoyin and Louise Wyche
HBCU LIBRARY ALLIANCE
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE II PRESENTATION
APRIL 3-5, 2006
MOREHOUS COLLEGE LEADERSHIP CENTER
ATLANTA,1 GA.
ABSTRACT
The project was designed to
support the Asa H. Gordon
Library’s application to become
the first academic support unit
designated as a Savannah State
University Center of Excellence.
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RELATIONSHIP TO THE
UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGY PLAN
Comparative Advantage
Instructional Capacity Building
Recruitment and Retention
Professional Development
Image and Communication
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The University will create
academic centers of
excellence to attract students
and promote the university.
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COMPONENTS OF CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE
Excellent
Cutting-edge
Faculty
Technology
EVALUATION And Staff
AND
Assessment
Scholarship
Student centered
Partnerships
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CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE
A-V CENTER
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STAKEHOLDERS
BENEFIT TO
STAKEHOLDERS:
ROLE OF
STAKEHOLDER
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SSU
ADMINISTRATION
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Strategic
Planning
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Identify Issues Using
SWOT
• Involve Staff using
Human Resources
Framework
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ROLE/ BENEFITS
•FACULTY AND STUDENTS
CHEERLEADER/ PARTNER
ACCESS TO LEARNING SPACES/
INFORMATION COMMONS
ACCREDITATION
RETENTION
•LIBRARY STAFF
FACILITATOR
FUNDING
RELEASE TIME
RECOGNITION
•COMMUNITY
MARKETING
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
AND SERVICESSYMPOSIUMS
PRESERVATION OF LOCAL
AFRICAN AMERICAN
HISTORY
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SWOT ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESS
1. Staff
2. Facilities
3. Technical
4. Reputation
5. Partnerships
6. Evaluations
1. Size of Staff
2. Attention to
Scholarship
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
1. Increased Visibility
2. Increased Funding
3. Increased
Opportunities for
Professional Growth
1. Definition of “Center
of Excellence.”
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Human Resources Framework
•Catalyst
•Support
•Advocate and Empower
•Increase Participation
•Share Information
•Move decision making down
the organization.
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WE HAVE:
•Revised the “Center of Excellence”
document.
•Increased scholarship by library faculty.
•Developed Unit plans.
•Had conversation with Deans and Select
Faculty to get their support.
•Meet with Student Leaders.
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WE MUST:
• Based on a review of our unit plans by our
Mentor, revise unit plans to focus on
student learning/outcomes.
• Complete the self study document.
•Submit to Academic Vice President for approval.
•Complete the LibQual assessment in Fall
2006 to satisfy the “periodical evaluation”
component.
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AND Lessons Learned…..
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SEEK ADVISE FROM EXPERTS:
Meeting with Mentor
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COLLABORATE WITH RESPECTED
FACULTY:
Activities Related to grant collaboration with
Department of Natural Science
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Asa H. Gordon Library & Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
present
Wordmuthas,
Truthsayers, &
Crunkologists
Some OldNew Stuff
Speaker: Dr. Ja Jahannes as
GRANDMASTER JA
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SHOWCASE YOUR
STRENGTHS:
Soul of Black Folk
W.E.B. Du Bois
Seminar
Asa H. Gordon Library
Savannah State University.
“Herein lie buried many things which if read with patience
may show the strange meaning of being black here in the
dawning of the Twentieth Century. This meaning is not
without interest to you, Gentle Reader; for the problem of
the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line.”
W.E.B. Du Bois
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BE A TEAM PLAYER:
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SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW
PROFFESSONALLY
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DO IT BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT
THING TO DO
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AND SEEK THE SUPPORT OF THE BIG
DOGS!!
Academic Vice President Silver
President Brown
Dean Gates
Miss Savannah Rahim
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