Millersville Transformation: An Update

The following letter, an update on Millersville’s transformation process, was sent out to the campus community on February 23 on behalf of President Francine G. McNairy.

Dear Members of the University community,

The transformation process continues to move forward at Millersville University! We are embarking on this transformation to ensure our future as a vibrant and dynamic institution. Each day, new challenges arise that require a commitment to creative action. Organized by the three themes of the transformation (student success, increased advocacy and effective structures and services), the action idea teams are preparing to seek innovative solutions to address these pressing issues.

Since the Transformation Fair in November, we have made progress in a number of areas:

• Crafting of a draft definition of student success
• Constructing the Action Idea Teams

Throughout the fall semester, a dedicated group of faculty and staff crafted definitions of student success. Watch for your opportunity to provide input as the most recent draft definition is shared throughout the campus community (a sneak peak of the draft definition is located below, although we need to determine – is this statement unique and defining enough for MU?).

Millersville University students develop and utilize their intellectual curiosity and self-awareness to meet high expectations for learning, which leads to productive and fulfilling lives.

Cabinet members, deans’ council members and the transformation coordinators actively constructed the Action Idea Teams from among the hundreds of individuals who expressed interest in some level of engagement with one or more of the teams. We wanted to ensure that every facet of the University community was represented across the teams. This effort required that we identify team leaders and refine the charges for each team. The specific charges are listed on the attachment and the Transformation website.

These unique teams will work together to generate bold ideas and solutions that will take us into the future. We are still awaiting confirmation from some of the teams’ membership.

Because Cabinet and I feel so passionate about this process, we will remain active participants. Each Action Idea Team will have a member of Cabinet as its champion. Team champions will guide, mentor and serve as sources of support and encouragement for the team leaders and members.

Who are team champions, leaders and members? How can you keep informed of the progress the teams make? The Transformation website contains all of that information. Beginning in late March you can expect to see Action Idea Team updates on the development of their action plan as they are posted on the transformation website.

We have high expectations for the teams and support their work to do the following:

• Teams will create action plans that might be initiated or implemented within 18 months.  Some teams will be charged with identifying a plan that might be implemented by fall 2012.
• Ideas in the action plan should be bold and provide a foundation for transformation.
• Action plans should identify how the outcomes of the proposed initiative will impact student success, as it is defined by our University.
• Teams should identify the impact on University policies, procedures, structure, faculty/staff development, allocation of resources, facilities, technology, etc.

We need to recommit our energy and creativity at this great University to ensure our students’ success. We want to refrain from “running in place” and do what we can during the next 12 to 18 months to propel us forward in this time of opportunity.

To be continued…

Francine G. McNairy

President

To log onto the Transformation website, visit www.Millersville.edu/iea/transformmu. Username: transformmu. Password: ideasMU2013.