At a Jan. 15 campuswide Faculty Senate meeting, more than 100 Arcadia community members heard from President Ajay Nair and UKnighted committee leaders on several highly important initiatives, including the University vision statement, the development of Arcadia’s next strategic plan, and potential high-impact projects.

Dr. Nair discussed the ongoing steps to developing a strategic plan, which he hopes will transform the University’s culture into a more socially innovative and inclusive community. These steps included building leadership through searches for the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, vice president of Development and Alumni Relations, chief information officer, and director of Public Safety; high-impact projects, such as the expansion of Athletics to include track and field, e-sports, and ice hockey; and a new vision statement.

The community was presented with the draft of the vision statement, which was developed by the UKnighted Aspirational Steering Committee, led by Dr. Alison Lalond Wyant, associate dean for Teaching and Learning at The College of Global Studies, and Carole Loeffler, associate professor and chair of Visual and Performing Arts. Dr. Nair highlighted a segment of the statement that discusses the University’s promise to students to provide a nurturing environment both in Glenside and abroad, which will prepare them to overcome challenges and build success, which he felt summarized the community’s purpose and goal as faculty and staff– creating a student centered University experience.

In reviewing this statement, Dr. Nair discussed how the community has already been working to rebuild trust through the committees, including the new Social Innovations and Open Expressions task forces.

Other changes he saw for the University within the strategic plan were a rebranding campaign and website overhaul; academic program innovations; and upgrading the campus’ technology infrastructure.