TO BE BOLD
TO INNOVATE
for a new generation of students
TO FOCUS
and turn challenges we face
into our opportunities
A strategic vision launched by
St. Cloud State University in 2019
WHEN WE SAY
IT'S TIME
...that means we are all in!
We are ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES
in higher education HEAD ON.
We are seizing the moment to REFRESH AND INNOVATE.
We are leading the way... and others will want to follow.
Our university will be known as ONE OF CLEAR DISTINCTION.
to become a new regional comprehensive university
To redefine what it means to be
a regional comprehensive university.
Universities are facing a highly competitive environment with a declining number of graduating high school seniors who have more choices and growing concerns for college affordability. We are competing for students eager to make career connections to see a return on their investment of tuition dollars. Similarly, universities struggle with a funding squeeze of their own to create state-of-the-art facilities for expert faculty and engaging staff. Now, more than ever, students are more likely to defer enrollment, take a gap year, and choose less traditional pathways for their education. The world around us has changed; we must change too.
In this moment, St. Cloud State is acting boldly to break the mold of outdated assumptions that limit regional comprehensive universities. We will build on our strengths. We will create a new distinctive university for our students.
Our time is NOW. Through our collective work, we will:
We will prioritize the advancement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and engage in intentional actions to address systemic inequities throughout the university. DEI values, practices, and strategies will be embedded into the fabric of our institution and campus community.
Doing so means focusing on equitable outcomes. In addition, there must be a recognition of and intentional actions taken to address inequities embedded within the institution’s metrics, structures, policies, and decision-making processes, as well as recognition of historical and systemic oppression within higher education and our own institution. In order to make meaningful progress, we must include a diversity of people within policy and decision-making processes, educate all faculty and staff in multicultural counseling and/or education, and emphasize the creation of a campus climate that supports all members of our campus community.
IT’S TIME TO It’s Time to set St. Cloud State University apart from other regional universities. Building on our strong foundation of academic excellence, we will invest in core academic areas that prepare our students for dynamic careers. We will sustain and develop top ranking and nationally recognized degree programs. We are laying the groundwork to grow our graduate programs.
We will be a leader among institutions of higher education by developing well-rounded graduates who hold an appreciation for the human experience. We will continue to invest in Humanities, Arts, and Social Science programs for the 21st century and ensure that a liberal education is integrated in our student learning experience to promote personal and professional success.
We are transitioning from a broad, comprehensive institution to presenting a market-relevant academic portfolio for current and prospective students. Drawing on our strengths, we will be a leader in offering distinct and relevant programs that support four broad academic areas of focus:
These academic areas are carefully selected as fields ripe for growth and as filling a societal need. Our campus is fertile ground for compelling coursework, experiential learning, connections with alumni and industry professionals as students progress through their degree programs.
While other regional comprehensive universities are abandoning the liberal arts disciplines, we believe the Humanities, Arts and Social Science provide students with knowledge of the wider world, opportunities to confront complex questions, and venues to develop their intellectual, civic, artistic, and problem-solving skills. We will:
OUR FOCUS: Centering/prioritizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – not listing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as one of many interests, but as the foundation upon which everything else is built.
IT’S TIME to claim our rightful place as an institution of national repute.
Our Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the only program of its kind in Minnesota. Our students are part of a top-ranked program that educates practitioners to help children who are diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Our graduates are skilled professionals with expertise in a field of high-demand with big impacts on children and their families. Learning is fostered by faculty who are nationally regarded for their teaching and research in the field of applied behavioral sciences.
The co-teaching model used by universities and colleges throughout the country started right here at St. Cloud State University! Created to give those pursuing a career in education a hands-on, real-world experience, the SCSU co-teaching model flips the traditional student teaching model on its head by partnering with school districts committed to working one-on-one with teacher candidates from St. Cloud State and actively integrates these students into planning curriculum, teaching in the classroom setting and mentoring and assessing students — just as they will do in their careers as lead teachers. Additionally, they provide guidance and mentorship along the way, giving teacher candidates the confidence to pursue their careers in education after graduation.
Environmental engineers are professionals who are in demand. We attract students who are passionate about the preservation of our planet and its ecosystems. If they enjoy natural sciences, mathematics, and making a difference for future generations as we collectively work to slow climate change, the Environmental Engineering program will help students prepare for a career in this fast-growing – and much needed – sector. Our students experience a unique, interdisciplinary program that melds their passions for natural sciences, engineering, and the environment. St. Cloud State students are trained to truly make a difference in a range of industries postgraduation.
When it comes to Mass Communications, the breadth, depth and frequency of hands-on opportunities for SCSU students is unmatched by other programs in the region. Whether a dream is to be in front of the camera as a news anchor, behind-the-scenes as a show producer or as a radio DJ, broadcast students learn through a hands-on approach producing live news, sports and entertainment broadcasts on television, radio and other emerging media platforms – it all happens here. Students have access to more than 600 pieces of high-quality equipment, television facilities with two sound stages and five control rooms, and 12 state-of-the-art editing suites, with hands-on access starting freshman year. UTVS Television is completely student-run and provides 24/7 high-quality programming to more than 33,000 households in St. Cloud and surrounding areas. Additionally, our student-run Husky Productions sports production unit broadcasts live on national channels, such as FOX Sports.
Our Master of Engineering Management program is one of a kind. It is one of only six master’s programs in engineering management in the United States certified by the American Society for Engineering Management. It is one of only two engineering management programs in Minnesota. St. Cloud State has created a model for teaching and is leading the way when it comes to providing real world, practical experience that is in high demand by employers. This high-demand master’s program was created for students who want to pursue technical leadership roles and is an alternative to more traditional MBA programs.
St. Cloud State University has one of the region’s only undergraduate Meteorology programs for achieving the dream of becoming a meteorologist. Our nationally competitive program, with a proven 25-year history, prepares students to analyze and conduct research through classes combined with hands-on fieldwork, a senior capstone project and internships that prepare students for a wide variety of careers (in forecasting, emergency management and more) or for continued study in graduate school.
Graduates of our Nursing program are skilled and confident. They holistically care for patients from birth through death, and in multiple healthcare settings. Our five-semester pre-licensure program prepares students to pass the NCLEX exam through a combination of exceptional academic instruction and a variety of hands-on, trueto- life patient scenarios through our state-of-the-art simulation lab. Our 100%-Online RN Baccalaureate Completion program focuses on building student leadership and management skills, along with preparing students for a Public Health certification. Our graduates effectively care and advocate for patients in acute, long-term, and home and community-based health care settings.
Our students become real estate leaders by joining the most diversified and well-connected program in the Upper Midwest – and just one of two real estate programs in Minnesota. Through a combination of real-world experience and excellent academic instruction, students unleash their ability to lease, buy, own, manage and appraise property value of everything from a house to a shopping mall to Class A office space to MNDOT roads. Our graduates build better communities in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural development. They develop an extensive network of colleagues as they build their future here at St. Cloud State.
Our Software Engineering program is unique. It is the only one of its kind in the Minnesota State system and one of the few in the region. St. Cloud State’s Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering is a rare opportunity for undergraduate students who are interested in the field to gain the skills employers are looking for – and hit the ground running immediately after graduation. Developed in close partnership with industry leaders, the Software Engineering program is in high demand; launched in 2016, the program has quickly attracted more than 300 students.
IT’S TIME ... for ALL our students.
We are creating a distinctive learning experience for students – regardless of their major or field of interest.
Setting us apart from the rest, all of our academic programs will be infused with six features to create a distinctive learning environment. Our focus is on the success of our students. We will work together with campus leaders, faculty, and staff to design and promote characteristics that impact the whole student as they live, learn, and develop on our campus.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES CLEARLY ALIGNED WITH CAREER OPTIONS
ROBUST EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS
LIFE-LONG LEARNING SKILLS AND STRATEGY
OUR FOCUS IS
ON THE SUCCESS
OF OUR
INDIVIDUALIZED STUDENT LEARNING AND SUPPORT
ENGAGED TEACHER/ SCHOLARS
EXPERIENTIAL AND APPLIED LEARNING EMBEDDED IN THE CURRICULUM
OUR FOCUS IS
ON THE SUCCESS
OF OUR
Achieving these characteristics will take time... but the work is already underway. Moving forward, our campus leaders and faculty will work together to expand our graduate and doctoral offerings.
WE ARE focusing our portfolio of programs to attract a wide range of audiences
WE ARE creating an Institute of Technology
Our Husky Compact will define the core competencies of our liberal arts education and infuse the learning experience of our students. Our students will connect their coursework and co-curricular activities to intentional academic outcomes to realize the purpose of their education, the talents they are developing, and the influence they have in their personal and professional worlds.
IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT A UNIVERSITY Creativity and adaptability in teaching and learning will fuel the energy we need to move our institution forward. So many of our faculty are breaking new ground in their research, scholarship and creative work. For our “teacher/scholars,” we will support faculty who integrate research, scholarship and creative work with instruction. We will develop a culture of innovation to design new approaches to teaching and learning.
We are responsible for playing an active role in addressing the unique needs, opportunities and challenges of our region through applied research, scholarship and creative work. We are in the process of designing applied research centers and institutes to promote positive change in our region and beyond.
Our university has long-served as an important site for experiential learning for our students. We will expand access for our students to these high impact learning opportunities and develop new ways in which we can align student learning with the service opportunities found within our community. We will develop a set of experiential learning spaces for learning, research and community service. Our community partnerships will deepen to identify shared opportunities for reciprocal growth and development.
OUR FOCUS: Prioritize and fund research, scholarship, and creative work that center and advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including the creation of a center or institute that advances Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and research, scholarship and creative work.
WE ARE integrating research, scholarship and creative work with instruction
WE ARE developing applied research and scholarship centers and institutes
IT’S TIME TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED Our access mission means we must lean in and embrace higher education’s role as the great equalizer that creates unparalleled opportunities for economic and social mobility for our students. We must pivot from a one-size-fits-all approach to a set of academic, social and financial support services that meet students where they are and engages them in achieving their personal and professional aspirations.
We will be a university that recognizes the structural and systemic challenges that students face before they arrive on campus. We will acknowledge and value our students as individuals and provide them consistent, personalized support.
We will:
OUR FOCUS: Close the equity gap for access, retention and student success through Equity 2030 actions.
HUSKIES ADVANCE
A newly developed It's Time initiative
Students design an educational experience tailored to their professional and personal goals. Throughout the process, Huskies connect academic experiences to their passion. Students design an educational experience to augment their personal and professional goals. Areas of focus include leadership, civic engagement, social justice, environmental sustainability, international engagement and entrepreneurship.
HUSKIES ACADEMIC COACHES
Ready to connect
Launching in Fall 2020, all incoming Huskies are assigned an academic success coach. Students are guided in the various stages of the admissions process, of registering and orientation, and transitioning to the university. Most importantly, their Husky coach stays with them from their first year to commencement. They will see students through challenges, recommending strategies for managing the rigor of coursework. They will be there to engage and help students stay on pace for graduation.
IT’S TIME TO EXTEND While we will continue to recruit in Minnesota, we will also expand our recruiting areas beyond Minnesota in response to changing demographics. More broadly, we will expand our recruitment efforts in the Midwest region and select areas in the United States and internationally.
Our commitment to being “stewards of place” means that we will continue to serve the students and workforce needs of Central Minnesota. We also recognize that our social, economic, health and cultural landscape increasingly requires our students, faculty and staff to attain a global perspective to remain competitive and relevant in a connected world. We will actively advance local, state, and global partnerships and connect the assets and expertise of our campus community to address local and global needs.
Our campus has traditionally operated with great institutional pride and a high degree of modesty. We are a flagship university in the Minnesota State system – and we are intentionally shaping our programs to meet social and economic needs. We are shifting gears to expand our marketing strategy and share the excellence of our faculty and programs, our relevance, and the success of our students.
OUR FOCUS: Educational access (with an eye to diverse populations) as a philosophical value informing our regional expansion and in recruitment (e.g., multilingual admissions officers and marketing materials).
Like the Mississippi River that flows alongside our campus, our University will continue to gather strength.
GROWING.
SURGING.
OUR TIME IS NOW.
