DATE: January 7, 2009

RE: A New Year’s Message: Strategically Planning the Future

Happy New Year, Division of Academic Affairs!

Thanks to your commitment, productivity and tremendous contributions, our University experienced many success stories last year. It is obvious that you believe in N.C. A&T’s land-grant mission. Your dedication greatly impacts our academic, research and public service accomplishments.

Our faculty members have been entrepreneurial in aggressively addressing societal challenges here and abroad. Here are some examples:

• competing successfully for nearly $45 million in research funds;
• securing a coveted National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center (ERC);
• exceeding all established standards of teaching workload relative to instructional faculty and regular faculty at Carnegie-defined peer institutions based on data available from the University of Delaware;
• publishing four books and 1500+ referred articles and/or book chapters;
• presenting nearly 2300 scientific papers at professional meetings, and establishing a significant number of reciprocal and equitable partnerships.

Like previous years, 2008 presented its share of challenges for our Division as it relates to the budget. Fortunately, we were able to maintain current faculty and staff and even fill some of the much needed vacant positions. However, as we enter 2009, we must rethink our financial capital mindsets and actions per cost-cutting strategies already articulated by Chancellor Battle. As always, our priority will be to protect faculty, staff, students, and the classroom and make strategic adjustments as vacancies occur. By providing quality, service, and accountability, we will make our case to retain and increase funding from the private sector, new partnerships, and prospective investors. Faculty and staff, we are asking for your continued support during these difficult funding challenges.

We are currently completing A&T’s strategic plan, evaluation, and assessment components to reflect major program initiatives based on innovation, creativity, and collaboration in concert with UNC Tomorrow. In addition, we will conduct upcoming town hall meetings that will create opportunities for your input to “get engaged” with this important collaborative process.

Other 2009 priorities include increasing recruitment, retention and graduation rates; creating a responsive environment fostering high quality programs in learning, discovery and engagement; improving business processes; strengthening internal control and accountability measures; expanding resource bases; and continuing preparation for SACS re-accreditation.

I am grateful for the support you have given me since I assumed the role of Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the interim period. I encourage you to continue sharing your concerns and aspirations for our future. Let’s move forward together, tread where others dare not, and continue with the highest integrity, ethics and moral standards.

Aggie Pride!