About CSU

Vision

Columbus State University provides world-class education and assures student success through creative inquiry and community, regional, and global partnerships.

Mission

· To achieve academic excellence through teaching, research, creative inquiry and student engagement.

· To achieve excellence in the student experience and prepare individuals for a life of success, leadership, and responsibility through community awareness, engagement, and service to others.

· To achieve recognition as a leader in community development, regional economic development, and public-private partnerships.

Values

Excellence – Commitment to best practices in teaching and learning, scholarship and creative activity, student engagement, cultural enrichment and campus environment.

Engagement – Active civil participation by students, faculty and staff in the university experience.

Creativity – The pursuit of distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.

Servant Leadership – Effective, ethical leadership through empowerment and service.

Inclusion – Fostering and promoting a campus that embraces diverse people, ideas, views, and practices.

Sustainability – Commitment to behaviors that recognize and respect our environmental context.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal One:
Achieve excellence in undergraduate and graduate education to meet student and community needs.

     Objectives

·        Pursue and maintain national accreditation for all eligible undergraduate and graduate programs.

·        Seek approval for Columbus State University’s first doctoral degree.

·        Develop and expand opportunities for online degrees and courses.

·        Expand educational opportunities throughout the region.

·        Develop and expand student and faculty opportunities for international programs, study abroad, and the Spencer House.

·        Develop, promote and reward faculty/staff performance and achievement.

·        Create a College of the Arts that is recognized as a leader in its disciplines.

·        Strategically develop and grow graduate programs.

·        Recognize and support faculty scholarship and creative activities.

·        Expand programs and opportunities for student research.

·        Recruit and retain qualified faculty and staff to adequately support the university’s mission.

Goal Two:
Increase enrollment to 10,000 students by fall 2011.           

     Objectives

·        Improve retention, progression and graduation rates.

·        Enhance quality of campus life and student academic support services.

·        Develop and deliver best-in-class First Year Experience programs

·        Recruit better academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students.

·        Expand honors and servant leadership programs.

·        Expand participation and ensure success in intramural, club, and NCAA athletics.

·        Increase enrollment capacity for core classes while maintaining a quality educational experience.

·        Expand the utilization of the RiverPark campus to accommodate a greater number of students.

Goal Three:
Create more partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and businesses consistent with the university’s mission.

     Objectives

·        Increase regional economic and community development efforts.

·        Improve working relationships with local schools and educational systems on all levels.

·        Lead workforce development efforts in this region.

·        Encourage, expand, and enhance partnerships with community entities.

·        Broaden opportunities for experiential learning and civic engagement. 

Goal Four:
Increase external funding and recognition. 

     Objectives

·        Increase sponsored research, grants, and contracts.

·        Increase private funding.

·        Expand alumni programs and engagement.

·        Crystallize the Columbus State University brand.

·        Pursue recognition/ranking in national publications, i.e., U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, etc.

Goal Five:
Provide a best-in-class technology platform and information-based services. 

     Objectives

·        Create 100 percent wireless campus access to technology and information services.

·        Promote operational excellence, develop business intelligence, and apply innovative business practices through the use of technology.       

·        Identify partnerships/alliances with world-class technology enterprises to support technology requirements.       

·        Maintain a dynamic Web site that effectively serves online visitors and supports campus operations.       

·        Inspire faculty/staff to use leading-edge technology.       

·        Promote the libraries to be the premier information resource for CSU community (students, faculty and staff).

Questions/Comments?