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Strategic Plan

Vision Statement

EMPOWERING MINDS, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

Mission Statement

Miami University Regionals provides open access for diverse learners to high-quality applied education grounded in the liberal arts.

Values Statement

Miami University Values Statement (MUPIM 1.4/Student Handbook/Graduate Handbook)

Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

Miami Regionals grounds its core values in the above values statement for the larger university while also emphasizing the following core values:

  • Access: Every student who wants to work hard for a Miami University degree will be able to pursue one through our open access admission policy, affordable pricing, flexible scheduling, and varied methods of course delivery.
  • Community: We are committed to the local communities out of which the Regionals were founded through curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programming that demonstrates sustained engagement with the people and organizations working in and near those communities.
  • Diversity: We value the qualities that each individual brings to Miami Regionals, and we embrace the rich educational opportunities that arise when people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together to learn.
  • Student Success: We are committed to ensuring success through quality advising, academic support and learning assistance, co-curricular and extracurricular programming, the recruitment and retention of skilled staff members who provide high-quality services for students, and a robust focus on career development, placement, and post-graduation support through alumni engagement services.
  • Teaching Excellence: We are committed to recruiting and retaining a talented faculty. Faculty who choose a career at Miami Regionals are deeply committed to creating innovative classroom and online experiences, complemented by relevant and challenging research initiatives and meaningful service to campus and community.

Strategic Priorities

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: Academic Excellence

Miami University Regionals' expert faculty will meet the needs of our students with a broad range of high quality academic options. We will offer our academic programs in accessible formats for a diverse student population.

1.1 Goal: Build a sustainable and dynamic curriculum.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Organize Future Educational Opportunity Committee to research innovative and new potential curriculum opportunities, including healthcare-related degrees

College of Liberal Arts & Applied Science (CLAAS) Curriculum Committee

Liza Skryshevska, Associate Dean

Fall 2019 Committee meeting regularly and making curricular suggestions for degree proposals.
Create a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, two master's degrees.

Nursing (NSG)

Brooke Flinders, NSG Chair

Fall 2021 10 DNP students enrolled, 30 master's students enrolled.
Implement online CJS program.

John Forren, JCS Chair

Fall 2021 (there will be revised completion date) CJS program is offered fully online.
Create badge opportunities that work for Regionals' students and employers.

Janet Hurn and Julie Straub

ongoing 3-5 badges per year for the next 5 years with 25 students enrolled in each badge. Have 75 students enrolled in badges by Spring 2021 and 1 to 2 employer partnerships developed by Spring 2021.
1.2 Continue to implement high-impact teaching practices across the curriculum.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Annual faculty learning community to promote high-impact teaching practices.

Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)

Linh Dich, CTL Director

Fall 2019 At least six faculty participants per year, leading to more faculty employing high-impact practices.
Increase the number of students participating in internships and cooperative education.

Career Services and Professional Development (CSPD)

Doug Reichenberger, Regional Director of Career Services & Professional Development

Spring 2022 Number of students participating in these activities increases by 25% by 2022.
Increase the number of undergraduates participating in research.

Commerce

Office of the Regional Dean

Spring 2022 Number of undergraduate students participating in research with faculty members increases by 25% by 2022.
Increase the number and variety of service learning classes offered and measure their impact.

Center for Civic Education

Collette Thompson, Regional Director of Civic Education

Fall 2021 Annual increase of 15% in service learning classes offered by 2021. Survey of students and community partners to measure impact.
1.3 Goal: Become one of the highest quality providers of distance learning options in the country through Regional E-Campus.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Increase collaboration with campus partners (enrollment, marketing, orientation) and strategic activities to yield an increased number of E-Campus students beyond the 50 mile radius.

E-Campus

Janet Hurn, Senior Director E-Campus

Julie Straub, Director of Regional E-Campus

Fall 2020 Increased number of E-Campus students beyond the 50-mile radius, goal for 25 net new in first year.
1.4 Goal: Develop a comprehensive internationalization plan.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Increase the number of countries with students coming through the ELC.

English Language Center (ELC)

Jerry Martin, Director of English Language Center and Global Programming

Fall 2021 At least three new countries with ELC students.
Identify new channels of recruitment for ELC.

English Language Center

Jerry Martin, Director of English Language Center and Global Programming

Fall 2021 Two new channels are identified.
Increase scholarship opportunities for Miami Regionals students to study away/abroad.

Advancement

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Relations and Communications

Fall 2021 A 20% increase in scholarships for study away/abroad opportunities.
Expand English Language Learner (ELL) High School Summer Program

English Language Center

Jerry Martin, Director of English Language Center and Global Programming

Fall 2020 Measure the number of ELL summer participants who enroll at the Regionals.
1.5 Goal: Increase external partnerships for informing the curriculum and offering more applied student learning options to meet community and regional needs.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Increase external partnerships for internships, service learning, and other learning opportunities in departments.

Department Chairs

Career Services & Professional Development

Doug Reichenberger, Regional Director of Career Services & Professional Development

Spring 2020 4-5 new partnerships identified.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: The Student Experience

Miami University Regionals will invest in student-centered experiences inside and outside the classroom by providing enhanced learning, co-curricular, and student support services that position students for graduation and success thereafter.

2.1 Goal: Expand and improve career preparation.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Increase Employer visits in key courses within each major starting with EAS

Career Services and Professional Development

Doug Reichenberger, Regional Director of Career Services & Professional Development

Fall 2019, ongoing A minimum of four guest speakers for EAS; Establish baseline for number of employers in classrooms by department, anticipate to increase by 10% each year. Evaluate impact through student surveys/feedback.
Develop and implement a corporate relations program to increase internship opportunities

Career Services and Professional Development

Doug Reichenberger, Regional Director of Career Services & Professional Development

Fall 2019 An infrastructure for a corporate relations program in place and five corporate partners formally identified.
Provide presentations focusing on CSPD services and Handshake in all UNV 101 (all), CIT 167, CEC 101 and ENT 137

Career Services and Professional Development

Doug Reichenberger, Regional Director of Career Services & Professional Development

Fall 2018, ongoing Focus 2 completion & Handshake profile log-in increase (reported by CCES), expectation to increase by 10%.
Develop and Implement Fusion: an attention and learning differences support program.

Leslie Omaits,
Karen Yates,
Pete Haverkos

Fall 2021 Recruit 20 new students for the Fusion Program for Fall 2021 semester.
2.2 Goal: Create and strengthen personalized and comprehensive student support.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Implement Meta-Majors Program

Student Life

Kelly Cochrane, Regional Director, Tutoring and Learning Center

Spring 2019-2020 Major declaration increases by 10%, Retention from year 2 to 3 increases by 5%, Students will be assigned a professional advisor for their first year.
Improve experience for prospective & current student veterans and transfer students through streamlined processes, dedicated resources, and improved communication.

Enrollment Management

Amanda Means, Senior Director of Enrollment Management

Fall 2019 Increased enrollment of student veterans by 3% and transfer students by 4% each year.
Improve Faculty Advising at Miami University Regionals

Student Life

Tonia Hyllengren, Assistant Dean for Academic Success

Fall 2019 Students who are assigned to a faculty advisor will receive communication from their faculty advisor at least once a semester. Review advisee assignment load every 2 years.
2.3 Goal: Expand co-curricular opportunities.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Create Student Badge Programs: Leadership & Intercultural Communication & Civic Engagement and Education

Regional Office of Student Activities & Orientation

Vacant, Regional Director of New Student Programs & Engagement

Fall 2020 Self-reported increase of leadership and intercultural communication and civic engagement by students of over 50% of program participants based on data collected in a pre and post test. Sustaining a mentorship-based cohort program beyond 2 semesters with a total of 15+ students per cohort.
2.4 Goal: Promote a sense of community to enhance belonging, diversity, and inclusion.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Create a "Sense of Belonging" project housed on a shelf in the regional libraries.

Student Life

Karen Yates, Coordinator of Disability Services

Fall 2019 Increase in belonging on NSSE survey.
2.5 Goal: Establish health and wellness initiatives to promote student well-being.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Develop and establish student health and well-being programs, collaborations, and initiatives.

Student Life

Pete Haverkos, Senior Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Success

Fall 2019 1. Identify an internal person to coordinate 2. Submit a proposal to AVP Health Wellness allowing regional students to secure health insurance. 3. identify a space on campuses for health and well-being literature, resources, and products 4. Submit a proposal to HR to have limited Student Health Services (clinic or telehealth) at campus for students, staff, and faculty.
Develop/revamp a one class unit on healthy living and healthy habits for UNV 101 courses focusing on physical health in addition to the one class unit on mental health and stress management.

Student Life

Kelly Cochrane, Regional Director, Tutoring and Learning Center

Spring 2021 Revised curriculum with the addition of one learning objective related to healthy habits for college and at least one unit on healthy living focused on healthy diet and physical activity.
Perform a comprehensive barrier audit to identify and create tactics to remove identified barriers to the recruitment and retention of students.

Pete Haverkos Regional Senior Assistant Dean for Students and Academic Success, Janet Hurn Senior Director E-Campus

Audit At least 10 barriers identified and 90% are removed by completion date.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: Faculty and Staff

Miami University Regionals will invest in its faculty and staff by providing and promoting personal and professional growth opportunities, fostering community, and responding to critical needs.

3.1 Goal: Attract, develop, and retain talented, diverse, student-centered faculty and staff.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Implement an exceptional culture of hospitality for all regional employees. "Be excellent to one another."

Office of Regional Dean

Robyn Charlton, Regional E-Campus Coordinator of E-Faculty Engagement

(Debbie Boston, Donna Evans)

All employees of Miami Regionals will be exposed to strategies to improve hospitality in their functional area.
Offer more training, mentoring, and support to part-time faculty.

CTL

Bob Davis, Associate Dean, CTL/Linh Dich

Fall 2019 Have standard program established for part-time faculty. Will collaborate with COC and CTL on this.
3.2 Goal: Create and enact a dynamic plan for hiring and succession based on developing organizational needs.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Create and maintain a staffing plan to achieve recruitment and retention goals.

Enrollment Management

Amanda Means, Senior Director of Enrollment Management

Summer 2019 Improve retention of enrollment staff; develop tier opportunities within key departments for career development; develop hire plans for key enrollment areas for staffing decisions, and critical staff additions, and timeline. Map positions to enrolment targets.
Create departmental 3-5 year staffing plan including anticipated future hiring needs and potential retirements.

Office of Regional Dean

Moira Casey, Associate Dean (EXCO)

December 2019, review annually Updated plan forwarded to Dean's office yearly.
3.3 Goal: Provide opportunities for mentorship and professional development.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Create online staff onboarding training to become familiar with university systems.

E-Campus

Janet Hurn, Senior Director E-Campus with input from CPAC and UPAC Regional Representatives.

August 2019 Online orientation in place.
Increase awareness about funding available for professional development for faculty and staff. Explore options for additional funding opportunities.

Office of Regional Dean

Andrew Mascari, CTL, E-Campus

July 1, 2019 Increase in average professional development funds utilized by faculty and staff and increased sharing of PD experiences.
Form a committee to regularly assess and improve professional development across the Regionals.

Regional Assembly Executive Council

Spring 2019 Form the committee with faculty and staff representatives. Have the committee meet and create a plan for informing units and individuals about professional development opportunities and surveying individuals to gauge their awareness.
3.4 Goal: Foster an inclusive university community.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Develop stronger partnerships between Miami University and community through inclusivity events.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Bennyce Hamilton, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

May 2020 Monthly opportunities for inclusivity are attended by 5-10 new attendees of both University and community members.
Increase the number of faculty incentivizing co-curricular participation of their students.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Bennyce Hamilton, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Department Chairs

Spring 2020 Percentage of faculty requiring participation increases by 10% and numbers of students attending increases by 10%.
Create program around empathizing with others different than ourselves."Walk in My Shoes"

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Bennyce Hamilton, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with disability services and E-Campus, and service and civic engagement

Fall 2020 Program schedule of activities and events centered around difference.
Create and distribute rubric and/or wording to provide guidance in evaluating syllabi for inclusivity.

Bennyce Hamilton and faculty member. (Helane, Mary K., Laura H.)

Fall 2020 Completed Rubric and distribution to faculty with 80% usage rate.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4: Community

Miami University Regionals will strengthen external relations with communities through partnerships, outreach, communication, alumni and friends networks, and giving.

4.1 Goal: Optimize internal and external communication to raise the profile of Miami Regionals in the surrounding communities.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Implement a Good News communication strategy for both internal and external constituents, to include faculty and staff accomplishments.

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

3/2019 Feature a minimum of one monthly “good news story” about students, faculty, staff, alumni on the website, news media, social media and other communication avenues. Implement a Vlog on “life of an MUR student”, with 4 students featured per year, add one letter to the editor from the Dean or designee once a quarter
Create a degree/career focused communication mechanism for external constituents such as advisory councils, business members, chambers that describes the qualities of Miami Regionals.

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

6/2019 Create and distribute an informative and effective newsletter, brochure to employers, advisory council members and other external stakeholders
4.2 Goal: Engage alumni and friends in meaningful and mutually beneficial ways.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Establish and execute an engagement plan for high yield alumni affinity groups (such as by major, employer, student activities, etc.)

External Relations and Communications

Samy Broyles, Director of Alumni & Community Engagement

12/2019 Host one event for each affinity group - ELC and Honors Alumni will be the pilot
Create an Alumni Ambassador Program

External Relations and Communications

Samy Broyles, Director of Alumni & Community Engagement

6/2020 A total of 10 ambassadors identified and meeting quarterly.
Create a workplace visit program in which we visit companies with large volumes of Miami Regionals alumni, to further engage them in the life of the university.

External Relations and Communications

Samy Broyles, Director of Alumni & Community Engagement

6/2019 Visit 5 workplaces per year
4.3 Goal: Enhance partnerships (service learning, educational, business and industry) that ultimately benefit students and the communities.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Increase the number and variety of partnerships with organizations needing workforce development and campus engagement.

Office of Regional Dean/Academic Affairs

Liza Skryzevska, Associate Dean

9/2019, ongoing Establish baseline for partnerships and increase that by 10% annually
Develop and strengthen partnerships with the local high schools as part of the College Access initiative

Office of Regional Dean; Office of Admissions

Liza Skryzhevska, Associate Dean
Amanda Means, Senior Director of Enrollment Management

Fall 2020 Complete at least three college-going/college readiness project in collaboration with the local high schools.
Expand Work+ into high schools

Liza Skryzhevska, Kelly Cochrane

Fall 2022 Two new employers that partner with high schools participate in Work+
4.4 Goal: Increase financial and other resources to grow Miami Regionals.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Strengthen our annual giving programs

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

9/2019, ongoing See an increase in fundraising appeals and dollars/donors raised of 3% per year.
Prioritize the raising of scholarship dollars for recruitment and retention of students with merit and with need.

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

Ongoing Raise $250,000 per year in new scholarship dollars.
4.5 Goal: Expand public programming with our stakeholders.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Partner with external organizations to present high-profile educational and cultural programs on campus and in the community

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

9/2019

Co-Present a minimum of two programs per year in conjunction with at least one external partner.
Explore alternative sources of public programming that generate revenue, that are not currently offered at Miami Regionals.

External Relations and Communications

Jennifer Clark, Senior Director of External Regionals and Communications

3/2020

Present a list of new alternatives, along with funding mechanisms, of programs not currently offered at Miami Regionals.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5: Facilities

Miami Regionals will provide upgraded facilities and technological infrastructure that support 21st century pedagogies and distinctive co- and extra-curricular experiences.

5.1 Goal: Develop and Implement a Regionals’ master facilities plan that reflects recent and anticipated academic program innovations as well as student services and student space needs.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Create a masters facility plan for the regional system: academics, student service, public spaces, library, outdoor

Office of Regional Dean

Cathy Bishop-Clark, Regional Dean

January 2020 Completed plan.
5.2 Goal: Invest in technology infrastructure that supports the mission of Miami Regionals.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
5.3 Goal: Improve the aesthetics of existing spaces.
Tactic Person Responsible Completion Date Indicator of Success
Assess and modify current “in-between” spaces to improve student congregation areas to increase engagement, group study, and collaboration.

Office of Regional Dean; Regional Libraries

Pete Haverkos, Senior Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Success

Fall 2019 Increased number of students reporting they study in groups on the NSSE.