In 2002, the George Washington University adopted a strategic plan that envisioned two key pillars for GW’s development.
The plan placed particular departments at the core of the University’s priorities and called for investments in its infrastructure. It was an important milestone in the development of the University.
But strategic planning is a dynamic process, and now, as the University approaches its bicentennial birthday in 2021, it is time to assess its needs and potential opportunities.
It is now time for to provide GW with a signature identity. Surely, university excellence requires individual units, faculty and students who achieve national recognition but top universities also need a common thread that unifies the strengths of the institution.
The University of Chicago, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University did not achieve their international accolades because of a few top-ranked departments. Rather, the University of Chicago’s focus on critical thought, MIT’s reputation for providing a first-class education in science and engineering and Stanford’s focus on entrepreneurship resulted in these schools' success and worldwide prominence.
As members of the strategic planning steering committee, we reviewed discussions that have occurred, and identified four themes to orient the strategic plan: globalization, policy and governance, innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration and citizenship and leadership.
We believe the development of a strong strategic plan requires several central elements.
Good planning requires us to make bold choices. Timid plans based on short-term goals, protection of the status quo or political expediency rarely accomplish much. A strategic plan cannot be a laundry list of everything we can or should be doing.
The development of a sound plan depends on recognizing what the future holds. We need to think prospectively about the nature of demographic changes underway, the evolving nature of career options for our graduates and the ever-changing educational and technological demands that must be met in order to compete in a global economy.
Strategic planning requires a commitment to improving our strengths. As the planning process moves forward, we will want to capitalize on our most highly respected programs, our connections within the D.C. community, the University’s commitment to service, our global reputation and our world-class research facilities.
Most importantly, strategic planning requires the involvement of the community. Toward this end, we have hosted a number of public events and developed a website to reach out to members of the community interested in the strategic planning process.
Within each of the four themes identified for the strategic plan, we seek to increase GW faculty’s research contributions, improve the educational experience for GW students and enhance the University’s reputation. We welcome your ideas.
The writers are: the Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Assessment Cheryl Beil, the GW School of Business Dean Doug Guthrie, the University Provost Steve Lerman, the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Planning Forrest Maltzman, the Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Terri Harris Reed, and Professor Scheherazade Rehman in the Elliott School of International Affairs, the Department of Anthropology Chair Brian Richmond and the Department of Health Policy Chair Sara Rosenbaum, respectively.
Holistic is a good aim in what you write about creating a New Strong Identity for GWU to bring it into 21st Century as a College not a “Front” for personal agenda’s as has been.
It is VIP right now to Build PRIDE at GWU for student’s, Alumni, Staff etc as that is what creates real Balanced sustainable growth with $$’s and attracting best in field in field etc.
But First you have to comprehend and understand what word Holistic means and realize this word began in 1960′s as “Wholistic” meaning education to be preventive. Looking at the Whole like the Hole in the middle of a Wheel that allows the Spokes to be join together to make the Wheel move so have progress. Wholistic/Holistic means we or anything the intangible is more then the a sums of it’s parts the tangible.
The approach and way of going about what you are wanting to do is seen clearly in this opted piece as the old school linear walls of top<down approach. You are holding meetings as the superior person with a agenda. You say a website but it is not listed here to " Engage" those you seem to be wanting to inspire ~
Education due to the 2 way media, google, bing and on and on resources for getting up to date in real time facts and information is changing, growing in the nano seconds. It is expanding rapidly minute to minute OUR Global world and Understanding in deeply embedded ways on a DIME
The Smart institution will embrace this new world of spatial "Emergence" that is arriving on a roaring freight train to create and give the Wonderful needed space to the wanted disruptive innovation we as a civilization are long over due for.
What educators have to comprehend is they are dealing with pupils who are way ahead of the curve then they are ! The approach now needs to be in managing information and guiding all this amazing creative insights and knowledge..
Here are just a couple of websites to bring GWU up to speed TO LEARN FROM and Utilize in your planning as they are congruent with REAL TIME life today that is switching evolving before the ink is dry.
First deal with those paying your paycheck as your equals.. Your Students ~ They are natural leaders as they have witnessed all our mistakes and can outtype you in a flash !
http://generationwakingup.org/about/story
All across the planet, a unique and powerful generation is coming of age. We are called by many names – GenY, Generation We, the Digital Generation, and the Millennials – though ultimately, we defy labels. Born approximately between 1978 and 2000, we are the largest, most well-educated, culturally diverse, globally aware, technologically savvy, and socially engaged generation our world has ever seen.
2nd hire this woman to overhaul GWU infrastructure so all the spokes, like all the schools, clubs, organizations etc can come together to create a masterpiece .A brilliant woman with 3 degrees from Harvard while birthing 3 children into world she Understands this Word Holistic on every level.. Classical Systems, organization, infused with real LIFE !
http://marthabeck.com/events/
Martha is Keynote speaker for " Invent Your Future Career Services" 3/22/2012 Now in its 6th year, CA Bay Area’s premier educational event for businesswomen and entrepreneurs.
Another leader to tap into in knowing and understanding how " Holistic" works is
Attorney Mark Chasan – Founder, CEO of
http://www.transformativecapital.com
and his answer to Huff Post for those with
a conscious and belief in a Healthy Future
http://mahalayalife.com/ which is the Life 99% of GWU students are living but not the Authority. The Authority at GWU is stuck in 1940's mentality that $$ pick of pieces way of life is reality except reality is.. It drained the Economy and has destroyed quality of life. MSC@TransformativeCapital.com
Mark is a lawyer, serial entrepreneur, internet veteran, healer, author and international speaker on sustainability and transformation, Mark brings wide-ranging experience and a history of building successful and profitable businesses.