2021-22 Academic Year – Presidential Initiatives
Becoming a more resilient, flexible, and innovative institution
The pandemic accelerated long-term trends that threaten higher education. It is our adaptive strategy, ARCADIA2025, that is guiding our path through these challenges and leading us to clear, focused priorities, a shared understanding of success, a data-informed culture, and transparency and accountability. In short, it provides a roadmap for us to achieve our ambitious goals of building a University for the future.
We reflected on the challenges and struggles we faced over the past year and the critical strategic decisions to become a more resilient, flexible, and innovative institution. We will approach generational opportunities to develop our institution and build a University for the future.
2020-21 Academic Year – Presidential Initiatives on Combating Anti-Black Racism
The President’s Commission on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) was established in 2018 to conduct a comprehensive review of Arcadia’s policies, practices, and campus climate to ensure each aligns with the University’s Vision and Lived Values. Central to our Adaptive Strategy expanded into Combating Anti-Black Racism (CABR), developing action steps to support, protect, and improve the Arcadia experience for our Black community members.
From June 7 to 12, President Nair released the first video of his 8:46 Reflections, a series of videos totaling 8 minutes and 46 seconds that attempt to “open up the seemingly impossible conversations related to anti-Black racism.”
The community comes together to discuss academics, policies, and procedures; campus climate and culture; training, learning, and development; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI); and local, national, and global impact opportunities.
2019-20 Academic Year – Presidential Initiatives Arcadia2025: Our Adaptive Strategy
Building on the work from the previous year, President Nair’s Strategy Development initiative brought members of the University community together. We centralized information in the community, collaborated on themes and contributed feedback to enhance the Arcadia community.
Nearly 500 Arcadia community members have participated in 33 strategy development sessions thus far this semester, providing invaluable feedback to the ongoing process. Nearly 400 input cards from 36 academic departments and staff units were submitted and have continued the conversation about an adaptive strategy.
2018-19 Academic Year – Presidential Initiative Arcadia UKnighted
This Presidential initiative was an interactive forum that started in the second week of President Nair’s tenure. He brought together all members of the University community to engage in presidential initiatives. This portal is a central place to inform the community, engage in dialogue, collaborate on initiatives, and contribute feedback to enhance Arcadia for students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Arcadia UKnighted was an interactive forum for members of the University community to engage in presidential initiatives. This portal is a central place to inform the community, engage in dialogue, collaborate on initiatives, and contribute feedback to enhance Arcadia for students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Realizing Our Vision
Living Our Values
UKnighted Steering Committees and Task Forces
Aspirational Committee (5-and 10-year) - COMPLETE 2019
This steering committee will provide diverse, ambitious, and creative perspectives in enhancing liberal arts excellence at Arcadia and beyond.
Budget Task Force - COMPLETE 2019
This steering committee will develop structures and programs to build community-wide communication and literacy concerning the Arcadia University budget and more.
Shared Governance and Transparency Committee - COMPLETE 2019
This steering committee will build on the undertaken by the Faculty Senate’s 2016-2017 Shared Governance Task Force.
Open Expression Task Force - COMPLETE 2019
In November 2018, an Open Expression Task Force was formed, led by Dean of Students Andrew Goretsky and comprised of faculty, staff, and students, to address free speech and expression on campus and within the Arcadia community.
Social Innovation Task Force - COMPLETE 2019
The Social Innovation Task Force will explore strategies for Arcadia to position itself as a social enterprise, develop social innovations, and inspire social entrepreneurship.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
The President’s Commission on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) was established to conduct a comprehensive review of Arcadia’s policies, practices, and campus climate to ensure each aligns with the University’s Vision and Lived Values.
