Strategic Plan 2006-2009
GSBS MISSION
In support of the institutional mission, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences strives to provide superior graduate education as well as leadership in increasing knowledge and understanding through scholarship and research. The mission of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is to educate the next generation of scientists and health-related professionals in a dynamic and productive research environment that fosters creativity and discovery.
The faculty and staff of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are committed to:
- Providing the larger academic community, as well as future employers, with graduates who are highly competent, independent, ethical researchers and teachers;
- Demonstrating in all pursuits honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and commitment to academic freedom;
- Ensuring that GSBS Faculty, staff and students are supported in their efforts with state-of-the-art resources, facilities, and training opportunities;
- Serving as leaders in the community for the advancement of knowledge related to the basic biomedical and related health sciences.
STRATEGIC GOALS
In order to effectively accomplish its mission, the Graduate School is committed to the following strategic goals:
- To provide leadership in the advancement of knowledge through research and scholarship;
- To recruit highly qualified and diverse students into the GSBS programs;
- To enhance GSBS academic and training experiences for all students;
- To increase the visibility of the GSBS.
While the Strategic Goals summarize the ultimate direction of the Graduate School, they are accomplished through the achievement of specific strategies and objectives that are outlined below. (Following each strategy is the link to specific goals and strategies in the TTUHSC Strategic Plan.)
STRATEGIC GOAL 1: To provide leadership in the advancement of knowledge through research and scholarship.
- Strategy 1.1 Increase the percentage of faculty who are funded by federal agencies (TTUHSC G-II, S-2)
Objective 1.1.1 Assist in the recruitment of additional funded faculty
Objective 1.1.2 Assist in mentoring current faculty in successful grant preparation
Objective 1.1.3 Increase collaborative efforts with faculty in the clinical sciences
Objective 1.1.4 Assist in improving research infrastructure
- Strategy 1.2 Collaborate with other stakeholders at the TTUHSC to increase research funding (TTUHSC G-II, S-6)
Objective 1.2.1 With other stakeholders, meet with Institutional Advancement to create a Development Plan to focus on raising funds for specific research areas
STRATEGIC GOAL 2: To recruit a highly qualified and diverse student body into the GSBS programs
- Strategy 2.1 Provide competitive financial packages for recruitment of students (TTUHSC G-1, S-13)
Objective 2.1.1 Maintain the Dean's Scholars Program
Objective 2.1.2 Monitor stipends at other institutions and increase TTUHSCstipends in order to stay competitive
Objective 2.1.3 Continue to provide fee waiver incentives
- Strategy 2.2 Increase recruitment activities (TTUHSC G-1, S-13)
Objective 2.2.1 Designate specific additional funds for recruiting
Objective 2.2.2 Travel to diverse campuses to recruit students
Objective 2.2.3 Develop a plan to recruit locally
Objective 2.2.4 Make GSBS website more recruitment friendly
STRATEGIC GOAL 3: To improve GSBS academic and training outcomes for all students
- Strategy 3.1 Increase exposure to diverse biomedical career opportunities (TTUHSC G-I, S-6)
Objective 3.1.1 Implement and assess a First-Year curriculum that will provide exposure to diverse areas of the biomedical sciences
Objective 3.1.2 Develop a seminar series, journal clubs, or similar activities to expose students to the diversity of biomedical careers
- Strategy 3.2 Conduct systematic assessment of student learning outcomes in all academic degree programs and demonstrate the use of results for program improvements (TTUHSC G-I, S-1)
Objective 3.2.1 Establish student learning outcomes and assessment plans for all academic degree programs
Objective 3.2.2 Revise course syllabi with course objectives that are linked to student learning outcomes
Objective 3.2.3 Develop and use rubrics as measures for oral presentations, seminars, and research projects
- Strategy 3.3 Improve student access to resources for improving their academic performance (TTUHSC G-I, S-11)
Objective 3.3.1 Implement and assess a student based tutoring program
Objective 3.3.2 Maintain resource library in GSBS office
Objective 3.3.3 Provide information at student orientation and on the GSBS website regarding services available to improve academic performance, i.e. Graduate Student Association mentoring program
Objective 3.3.4 Assess quality of resources through graduation/exit surveys
- Strategy 3.4 Conduct ongoing systematic program reviews to determine that all programs have the appropriate faculty, students, and resources to effectively meet their educational objectives (TTUHSC G-I, S-10, S-15)
Objective 3.4.1 Disseminate program reveiw policy to all programs
Objective 3.4.2 Conduct 2 program reviews each year so that all programs are reviewed on a five-year cycle
Objective 3.4.3 Use assessment results to revise and improve program action plan
- Strategy 3.5 Conduct ongoing assessment of graduates' employment opportunities and success in the workplace (TTUHSC G-I, G-IV, S-10, S-13)
Objective3.5.1 Develop and implement exit survey/questionnaire to be conducted for all graduates
Objective 3.5.2 Develop and implement alumni survey
Objective 3.5.3 Disseminate results of surveys to appropriate persons and demonstrate used of results for improvement
STRATEGIC GOAL 4: To increase visibility of the GSBS
- Strategy 4.1 Promote GSBS research activities externally in the scientific and academic communities (TTUHSC G-I, G-II, S-7, S-13)
Objective 4.1.1 Increase faculty and graduate student participation in national research meetings
Objective 4.1.2 Acquire membership in the Council of Graduate Schools (COGS) and participate in national COGS meetings
- Strategy 4.2 Promote GSBS research activities in the TTUHSC and local communities (TTUHSC G-I, G-II, S-7, S-13)
Objective 4.2.1 Collaborate with the HSC's Office of Communications and Marketing to raise awareness about GSBS research activities, student achievements, etc.
Objective 4.2.2 Develop a high profile seminar series to generate interest by the local community and to generate enthusiasm among TTUHSC faculty, staff and students