Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share some important updates on the progress made over the last several months on some of the key sub-deliverables across our Outstanding Success Possibilities (OSPs).
As Chancellor Kaplan detailed recently, we have selected DiGo, a global creative agency, to support our branding work . DiGo has launched the research phase of this project, and key stakeholders from across the University are being identified to participate in this important phase. Interviews are taking place both on campus and via Zoom.
Our Student Employment Taskforce has begun evaluating our existing student-employment process, with plans to share new student-centered procedures by the end of the spring semester that would be in place for the 2023-24 academic year.
We are implementing a grant-incentive program to recognize faculty for pursuing and earning external grant funding. These efforts are critical to supporting high-impact research and raising the visibility of the important work being led by our talented professors. Details of this program were shared with faculty in October.
The Diversity Curriculum Assessment report is being reviewed by the DEI committees in each academic college and school. The final report will be disseminated in the spring.
New recruitment outreach partnerships continue to be launched with local high schools and local organizations, including the New Haven-based Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, to advance access to post-secondary educational opportunities for underrepresented groups in academia.
The new External Relations Council, which has membership from across the institution, is assessing our current collaborations and determining how to better facilitate new relationships and affiliations with corporate partners, community organizations, and vendors.
Finally, the University has launched a new staff onboarding program. The new program includes asynchronous modules delivered through Canvas as well as an in-person welcome and orientation program.
As you can see, we continue to make great progress toward each of our five OSPs that are positioning us to capitalize on new opportunities, build on our rich history and strengthen the University’s future mov ing forward.
I thank each of you for your continued commitment and for all you do for our students and to support the University. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the Winter Break, and I look forward to seeing you at the start of the Spring semester.
Sincerely,
Nancy Savage, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs