As I have indicated over the past two months, we will devote much energy and attention this academic year to planning. By the end of the 2011 spring semester, I would like to have a new strategic plan for UMD that articulates a refined vision, mission, statement of core values, and a manageable set of goals and action steps. This new planning process will provide a guideline for moving UMD forward over the next few years within the context of shrinking state budgets and rapid change. It will also provide a sharper focus on the distinctive UMD attributes and unique niche that will place UMD among the best higher educational institutions of its type in the country.
This will be a rolling plan, which is updated yearly as it directs our major activities for the next several years. Our planning process will be systematic, ongoing, and cyclical with linkages to institutional resources and assessment. During this planning process we will consider what changes need to be made in the teaching and learning process at UMD in order to achieve increased quality in a time of dwindling state support. We will look at our campus structures and processes to see what changes need to be made in order for us to be most effective and most efficient. We will dream big and reach toward a vision that will stretch us and help us become the premiere institution we aspire to be.
Soon I will appoint a steering committee to guide our planning efforts. This committee will ensure broad participation among our faculty, staff, and students, as well as meaningful
input from our many off-campus stakeholders, such as alumni and community, business, and government leaders.
In addition, I will appoint a Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning to serve as project manager for the planning processes and to assist me with other planning projects that impact faculty and staff throughout campus. Please see the announcement below. Encourage qualified candidates to apply, apply yourself, or nominate individuals you feel are good candidates.
More details regarding the strategic planning steering committee will soon follow. I look
forward to our collaborative planning efforts and to charting a clear and exciting course for
UMD's future.
Thank you.
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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning
The Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning assists the Chancellor by managing the various
strategic planning processes that result in the creation of a new strategic plan for UMD. The Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning provides executive support to the Chancellor and the Chancellor's Cabinet by overseeing the execution and assessment of the planning process; by acting as a key liaison to a wide variety of constituents both within and outside the university; by providing feedback and advice to the Chancellor on numerous planning issues, and by undertaking special projects as assigned by the Chancellor.
The specific experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required are:
An earned doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree, with a career history that has
gained the respect of the university's faculty and staff;
Strategic planning and group facilitation skills and experience;
Holding a tenured faculty appointment;
At least five years' experience as a faculty member at UMD;
Capability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;
Advanced verbal and written communication skills;
Capability to present effectively to small and large groups;
Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills;
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment;
Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills and the ability to
analyze, summarize, and effectively present data; and
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with public constituencies, senior academic leadership, faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and
other constituencies important to the university.
The Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning will be appointed by the Chancellor immediately
and will serve a one-year renewable appointment defined as .50 faculty duties and .50
administrative duties for the year. The first year's appointment will conclude on June 30, 2011. An administrative stipend will be provided to the person appointed, and funds will be provided to the person's home department to compensate for reassigned duties.
Letters of interest, an updated C.V. and names and e-mail addresses of three references should be sent electronically to chan@d.umn.edu by 5 p.m., Wednesday, October 6. Nominations are encouraged.
Lendley C. Black, Chancellor
