Dear Alumni,
I know that many of you have been keeping up with our efforts in strategic planning. I am happy to report that the initial phase of writing a plan has been completed, and we are making good progress toward implementation. I want to thank those of you who gave of your time and ideas by participating on committees or focus groups or by completing a survey. Your input and involvement was instrumental in the development of our plan.
As we looked at our strengths, our weaknesses, and our challenges, several themes repeatedly emerged—strong emphasis on student interaction, a commitment to experiential learning, a close relationship with our community and region, and a dedication to our alumni. In a word, partnerships.
Partnerships became the foundation of our strategic plan, and from that single idea came a series of strategic directives and action steps. The main strategic directives from the plan are:
- Partnerships for Students: Teaching and Learning
- Partnerships for Education and Research
- Partnerships for Diversity
- Enabling Partnerships
Within each of these directives a series of measurable action steps has been developed. Committees have been formed to promote and monitor the progress of each action step and to develop other appropriate measurable outcomes.
Another university committee has taken up the task of aligning our budgeting priorities with our planning initiatives.
So what does all of this mean for you as alumni? One of the primary action steps that emerged from the plan was to expand ongoing alumni involvement and participation at all levels of University activities. To accomplish this goal, we have pledged to increase and improve alumni communication, both through printed publications and electronic media. We also plan to offer more and different opportunities for alumni networking and participation.
What do we need from you? When you stake your future on partnerships, you place a lot of control in the hands of others. We simply cannot achieve the goals set forth in this plan without you. Please respond when we offer alumni programming, and let us know what types of programming you desire. Assist students with experiential learning opportunities by providing internships, clinical experiences, and cooperative education placements in your businesses and organizations. Serve as good will ambassadors for your alma mater. And let us know when we have done something right and when we need to improve.
Over the past few years, we have reclaimed a campus motto that has been handed down to us from generations before us. As I walk across the campus, I know that the words are not only chiseled in stone on the buildings, but alive in the classrooms and laboratories. Chattanooga’s university has a strong heritage of success, and I know that a bright future awaits us. We need you to be a part of that future.
We shall achieve.
Sincerely,
Roger G. Brown
Chancellor
