Strategic Master Plan

Strategic Master Plan

2013-14

A. Signatory Institutions:
Asbury University, Berea College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Midway College, Morehead State University, Kentucky State University, Sullivan University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky

The nonprofit Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium is established by the presidents of 12 central Kentucky regionally accredited universities to explore collaborative opportunities that address lifelong learning, college readiness, economic and workforce needs, and advancement of the central Kentucky region.

Vision
The Vision of BHEC is to create and support collaborative action and innovation among higher education, and as a result improve educational attainment and economic opportunities for central Kentuckians. True collaboration involves more than the sharing of information; it involves creating trustful relationships that support efforts to benefit all partners and students. The outcome will be an exceptional partnership that will provide resources to guide and support mutual exploration of opportunity and the development of an extraordinary Bluegrass Region.

Mission
The Mission of BHEC is to foster collaboration among member institutions of higher education for the development and implementation of programs to advance the region educationally and economically.

Goals
Initial common interests and goals for BHEC have been developed through university presidents roundtable meetings in 2011 and research conducted by Bluegrass Tomorrow and the Bluegrass Area Development District, surveying university presidents and university academic officers of the Bluegrass Region. Specific activities and conditions for utilizing/sharing facilities, venues or resources will be negotiated in writing for each specific case in accordance with the policy of the involved members. Goals include, but are not limited to:

1. Create a university center sharing model to include faculty exchange,
academic program/course sharing, transfer of credits, sharing of facilities and services, sharing of arts programs/resources, shared departments/centers, and access to all member libraries and collections.

2. Design Professional Development/Leadership Development opportunities for administration, faculty and staff including the formation of an Academic Chairs Academy, and a regional leadership emphasis for Presidents and upper administration.

3. Develop partnerships on teacher training at the secondary level to credential more educators to teach college level courses resulting in increased college readiness and increased early college and middle college programs.

4. Support networking, and collaborative discussion with K-12 superintendents to identify and consider best practices on college readiness.

5. Support networking and collaborative discussion with business leaders, chambers of commerce and economic development professionals.

6. Facilitate information exchange about academic program best practices, research & development initiatives, faculty resources and more.

7. Continue research and asset mapping of academic programs available in the region, creating valuable information for student and economic recruitment.

8. Collaboration on student professional readiness and development, including soft skills, interview skills, and professional expectations of employers.

9. Support networking and collaborative discussion with arts staff, administration, and faculty, focusing on the sharing of arts programs, offerings, resources, venues, cross promotion, and earned humanities credits for students.

10. Develop partnerships on international study abroad opportunities and focus on internationalizing curriculums giving our students a more global learning experience.

B. Principles & Goals From 2012
Presidents Superintendents Summit

Principle 1: There must be a major transformation in how we approach career planning and preparation, and how we help students make college and career choices.

Principle 2: There must be a new focus on what skills, talents and capacities are necessary for the emerging young adult and tomorrow’s citizen-leader, tto define the characteristics of the “ideal young adult.”

Principle 3: There must be opportunities for the well-rounded young adult to become skilled in three important disciplines: 1) STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), 2) the arts, and 3)workplace competencies.

Principle 4: There must be advocacy with government and legislative leaders to address the challenges posed by such ambitious goals, which may challenge the Commonwealth’s educational policies.

Goals (Metrics and Measurables to be added ’13-‘14):

1. Reduce dropouts from both high school and higher education.
2. Improve college-going rates.
3. Increase the number of associate and bachelor’s degrees in the Bluegrass.
4. Increase the employment opportunities for the resulting highly skilled and educated workforce.

D. Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium, Key Performance Areas, Working Committees and Subcommittees, 2013-14

1. Academic Leadership Academy Committee
Goal: While leadership in post-secondary institutions is complex and multidimensional, those who assume these roles are seldom trained for the range of issues for which they are expected to provide leadership. These faculty simply demonstrate leadership capabilities and are identified as potential contributors to advance the mission of the institution. The purpose of this Academic Leadership Academy is to encourage younger faculty to consider leadership career paths and to provide guidance in developing the skills that are requisites for effective institutional leadership to ensure a sound and successful future for the institution. The desired outcome is to create a cohort of leaders for Central Kentucky’s institutions of higher education that have the proficiencies to work with their colleagues by effectively employing quality leadership skills and being able to insight the overall role of the university so as to strategically lead the next generation of learners.

Committee Members: Co Chairs Bonnie Banker Asbury, Sherry Robinson EKU, Linda Leek Berea, J Marshall Morehead, Mike Vetter Transylvania, Lee Nimocks CPE, Gary Cox AIKCU, David Hellmich BCTC, David Tudor Sullivan, Larry Jones Community Trust Bank, GT Lineberry U.K., Greg Feeney BCTC.

2. College & Career Readiness Committee/Subcommittees
Goal: to create a seamless college & career readiness system (focus on Principle 1)

Committee Members: Daryl Smith KU Chair, Carol Hanley U.K., Danette Wilder Commerce Lexington B.E.N. & Sealing Life Inc.; Glenda George LFUCG, Lee Nimocks CPE, Frank Fletcher Midway, Ken Carroll Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, Larry Jones Community Trust Bank, Polly Marquette Partnership for Successful Schools, Daniel Sulfridge BCTC, Lynette Walker Baptist Health, Keeley Gadd National College, J. Marshall Morehead. Mark Whitt EKU, Liza Holland of United Way, Mendi Goble Richmond Chamber, Susan Rayer Transylvania, Jennifer Compton BGADD, Candace Bensel Career Colleges Assoc., Josh Nadzam Manchester Bidwell Project, Rick Christman Employment Solutions.

CCR Subcommittees (focus on Principle 1):

A. Planning, Data, Mapping & Inventory… focusing on research, data collection, development, planning and what model really fits our central Kentucky culture and how do we develop and measure outcomes… focusing on three main career development tracks: Health Care, Manufacturing, High Tech/Engineering. Mapping and Inventory…. Responsible for inventory of all of the assets we have in the region (active and in planning stages) for “college and career readiness.”

Committee members: Carol Hanley U.K., Danette Wilder BEN & Sealing Life Inc.; Glenda George LFUCG, Lee Nimocks CPE, Candice Bensel Career Colleges Assoc., Frank Fletcher Midway, Ken Carroll Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, Larry Jones Community Trust Bank, Polly Marquette Partnership for Successful Schools, Daniel Sulfridge BCTC, Lynette Walker Baptist Health, Keeley Gadd National College, J. Marshall Morehead, Sue Cain CPE, Shawna Simms BCTC.

B. Public Relations, Communications/Website/Technology: tasked with coming up with the “Big Idea” the branding for our October 31 event while focusing on how we communicate to parents, teachers, students, adults, business leaders… Development of Website with inventory of CCR programs included, communicating through social media, e-mail, e-news, twitter, instagram, cable and dish networks, etc.

Committee Members: Mark Whitt EKU chair, with P.R. representatives of other universities…. Also Liza Holland of United Way, Mendi Goble Richmond Chamber, Susan Rayer Transy

C. Building/Center/Infrastructure: What physical centers, buildings will we need. Development of a Café College/Manchester Bidwell type of facility, utilization of existing schools, colleges, one-stop career centers, etc.

Committee Members : Jennifer Compton BGADD, Candace Bensel Career Colleges
Assoc., Josh Nadzam, Daryl Smith KU, Rick Christman Employment Solutions

3. STEMx Committee
Purpose: To develop a Bluegrass “hub” model in cooperation with the University of Kentucky, the Batelle Foundation, and the rest of the BHEC institutions, which can be emulated statewide, focusing on STEM communication and disseminating the characteristics of highly effective STEM initiatives, maintain continuous growth and development of STEM P20 educators. BHEC will also focus on the arts and workplace competencies (Principle 3).
Committee Members (to date): Eve Profitt U.K., Carol Hanley U.K., Rob Rumpke

E. Planning of Presidents Conference October 31
Goal: Plan an event that will evolve into a BHEC Annual Meeting in future years, and focusing on advancing the key principles and goals set at the 2012 Presidents Superintendents Summit.
Committee Members : Carol Hanley, Eve Proffitt, Rob Rumpke, Larry Jones, Kathy Plomin

F. Continuation of Presidents Superintendents Roundtables:
Goal: Continue discussions between key presidents, superintendents and stakeholders to continue advancing the key goals and principles of the organizations. To date, two have been held: Shakertown Roundtable Dec. 2012, U.K. Roundtable July 2013.