Pillar 1: Intellectual Engagement

St. John Fisher College will revitalize and enrich its curriculum and foster innovative approaches to academic programming that extend its thought leadership to multiple audiences and prepare students to build successful lives of purpose.

Goal 1.1

Develop New Fields and Methods of Inquiry

Implement a responsive and continuous process to review new degree possibilities connected to emerging fields of study and new populations of students.

1. Engage in environmental scanning for mission-consistent opportunities to develop new fields-of-study, expand current program offerings, and attract new student populations.
2. Streamline process of curricula review for new and revised programs.
3. Institute program reviews to enrich existing programs and to accomplish institutional goals.
4. Evaluate consideration for new programming based on mission consistency, market responsiveness, and fiscal responsibility

Goal 1.2

Grow Programming to Engage Targeted Student Populations

Identify and implement innovative programming to attract students.

1. Review programs targeting high-achieving students using national best practices and consultant assistance. Provide recommendations for growing these programs and opening opportunities for more students and faculty.
2. Develop new undergraduate to graduate pathways for accelerating degree options.
3. Expand opportunities for students to engage in a variety of High Impact Practices
   including international education, internships, capstone experiences, and student
   research.
4. Increase access to existing programs by targeting new populations and maintain  our access mission to attract a wide array of students.

Goal 1.3

Design a Distinctive General Education Program

Design and implement a distinctive general education program rooted in our mission in order to prepare our students for 21st century success.

1. Revise All College Learning Goals to identify outcomes and to reflect both mission and current educational contexts.
2. Link High Impact Practices to the general education program where appropriate.
3. Design a general education program that accommodates various pathways students take to graduation.

Goal 1.4

Revitalize our Liberal Arts Tradition

Revitalize our liberal arts mission, linking it to the 21st century context and emerging social needs.

1. Maximize the applied liberal arts as a means to prepare students for the demands of a rapidly changing and diverse society.
2. Explore the ways in which the liberal arts support productive careers in a rapidly changing economic environment.
3. Link the liberal arts to our community engagement efforts.

Goal 1.5

Extend Thought Leadership

Expand our thought leadership in multiple ways and to multiple audiences.

1. Create centers and institutes focusing on areas of institutional core competencies.
2. Further develop efforts to support community leadership in sustainability, to infuse sustainability into the curriculum, and to implement sustainable practices.
3. Host conferences that highlight expertise and advance institutional reputation.
4. Provide professional development services to external constituents.
5. Secure the resources needed to aid in the recruitment and retention of faculty who serve as thought leaders in their fields.
6. Identify and implement innovative ways to achieve institutional goals.