Chancellor’s Address Video
During her annual address to the campus community this morning at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe reflected upon the many accomplishments during her first year as SIUE’s leader, expressed optimism over the state of the institution and also acknowledged the challenges that are ahead.
From the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom, Furst-Bowe greeted a receptive crowd of more than 500. She introduced “The New REALITY Project.” Reality is an acronym for Reimagining Excellence in Academics and Learning through Innovation, Technology and You.
The New REALITY Project will involve establishing campus teams to address:
- Expanding enrollment
- Retaining students and improving graduation rates
- Designing competency based and prior-learning assessments
- Retooling processes for speed and adaptability
- Enhancing experiential learning in the curriculum and co-curricular activities
- Developing international programs and support for international students
- E-learning initiatives addressing development of online courses and programs
- Innovating pedagogies to support student learning and academic quality in all settings
“There is a need to develop and offer new interdisciplinary programs to meet the needs of students and employers, and facilitate retention and graduation,” Furst-Bowe said. “Expanding online education is critical to our long-term strategy.”
Furst-Bowe enthusiastically recounted the University’s most recent recognitions. This month, U.S.News & World Report ranked SIUE among the best Regional Universities Midwest for the 10th consecutive year and for the first time, among the top 10 public universities in that category.
The latest U.S. News rankings came just after recognition by Washington Monthly in August that ranked SIUE among the top 60 master’s universities in the nation. The Chancellor also referenced SIUE’s naming in March by the Corporation for National and Community Service to the annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which is a list of colleges and universities demonstrating a commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
Also among the achievements was the strategic planning process that resulted in updated mission, vision and value statements. Each attendee received a pocket card with the renewed philosophies:
Mission: SIUE is a student-centered educational community dedicated to communicating, expanding and integrated knowledge. In a spirit of collaboration enriched by diverse ideas, our comprehensive and unique array of undergraduate and graduate programs develops professionals, scholars and leaders who shape a changing world.
Vision: SIUE will achieve greater national and global recognition and academic prominence through innovative and interdisciplinary programs that empower individuals to achieve their full potential.
Values: SIUE fulfills its mission based on the fundamental shared values of citizenship, excellence, inclusion, integrity and wisdom.
She referenced campus growth and sustainability initiatives, recognizing the University’s first Faculty Sustainability Fellow, Dr. Connie Frey-Spurlock, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice studies.
Among the other high points, Furst-Bowe reported that SIUE received 189 external awards totaling $42.2 million in FY13.
The chancellor also focused on the importance of an inclusive campus community.
Furst-Bowe ended her address by enthusiastically encouraging faculty and staff members to sign up for one of the teams created to support the “New REALITY Project.” She closed with a quote from the publication, Women in Higher Education: “By giving people a role in revitalizing campus, the process becomes the product.”
Photo: SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe.