Achieving Academic Distinction

Goal 1: Establish a distinctive academic identity and a culture of excellence and innovation

Achieving academic distinction begins with our shared commitment: every member of our community is All In for excellence. Together, we are creating an academic environment where innovative teaching, creative endeavors, and life-changing research thrive. We are empowering our faculty, elevating our research, and aligning our programs to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Together, we will be a catalyst for change and impact, providing our students with the highest-quality education. Our objectives are ambitious, and so are the steps we will take to achieve academic distinction.

Our Objectives

Each objective outlined here is an essential piece of the bigger picture; every objective, strategy, and action taken will advance our collective progress and strengthen our academic excellence.

Establish a distinctive academic identity characterized by excellence and innovation

Expand the research enterprise and strengthen support for scholarship and creative endeavors

Align academic programs to address societal challenges and workforce needs

Academic distinction demands big ideas and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. Being all in for excellence is a collective commitment to strengthen our academic enterprise through teaching, research, and scholarship to make a meaningful difference.

Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Committee Members

Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Matt Watson, Presiding Officer, Faculty Advisory Council, Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Durant Frantzen, Professor and Chair of Criminology and Political Science
Dr. Debra Feakes, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Robin Kapavik, Professor and Interim Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Development
Myles Lofland, Director of Experiential Learning
Dr. Ting Liu, Dean of Graduate Studies
Eddie Ortiz, Controller
Dr. Kimberly Sanders, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Strategy and Operations