Strategic Plan Progress Report Fall 2019

 

The 2018/2019 period has been pivotal in the ongoing implementation of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences strategic plan. Over the past year, a number of strategic priorities have been achieved and work on others has commenced.

Through the diligent efforts of faculty and staff, past successes have been built upon and new foundations laid as work continues towards an inclusive, open and supportive future.

Download the 2019 Progress Report

The College Strategic Plan is built on three main objectives:

  1. To be a leader in disciplinary, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and engaged teaching and research that contributes to meaningful change in our communities and our world.
  2. To make visible and compelling the quality, value and societal impact of our teaching, research, and engagement for prospective and current students, the University of Guelph community, alumni, and the general public.
  3. To provide a healthy, productive, and diverse work and learning environment that fosters the ability of students, staff, faculty, and alumni to thrive and succeed.

"We want to tap into the wealth of knowledge that our faculty, staff and students possess and, through collaboration, to create a tool which can support and advance teaching and learning across the College,"

— Byron Sheldrick, Associate Dean Academic speaking about The Hub for Teaching and Learning Excellence

  1. Through the work of the Indigenous committee, a cross-college curriculum was review undertaken, identifying gaps in our existing curricula and setting the tone for a collegewide survey. Survey findings were compiled into a comprehensive report on Indigenizing Curricula and Pedagogies presented at a retreat in April, 2019.
  2. The Interdisciplinary Hub was opened in MacKinnnon 019 in December 2018 and has become a space used by faculty and staff from across the College. The Stewardship committee is working to build on this success to catalyze research relationships and support nascent research projects that link faculty and researchers from across the College, the University and around the globe.
  3. Through internationalization efforts, recruitment of students in the United States has begun. The process of establishing research and academic partnerships in India and the United Kingdom has also begun, as well as developing short summer programs to attract students from around the globe.
  4. In 2019, the College welcomed the first students into the PhD in Social Practice and Transformational Change, a program which makes use of collaboration among all five departments and two research institutes. The Master of Conservation Leadership program was approved, and will welcome its first students in 2020.
  5. Construction has commenced at the College Street location for the Integrated Centre for Mental Health, a collaborative project with Couple and Family Therapy and Psychological Services.

  • In 2020, the Indigenous committee will work on Student Voices – a student-led initiative for Indigenizing the college.
  • We will continue to work towards internationalization through strategic student recruitment, development of research and academic partnerships with international universities, and launching a Summer Academic Program on Law and Society.
  • The college will provide leadership and support in development of the Canada India Research Centre for Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).
  • Proposals are being developed for new programs in Justice and Legal Studies and Indigenous Resource Management. Co-op programs will continue to expand.
  • A slate of wellness programs for faculty and staff will be offered throughout the remainder of 2019 and into 2020, supporting wellness of the whole person and building community relationships.

In collaboration with partners across the College, University and beyond, we will continue to establish objectives for projects, provide routine updates to faculty and staff, gather community feedback and provide essential support in the pursuit of the College mission and vision.

Through the Dean’s Council and community consultation, the College aims to maintain an inclusive approach to strategic implementation, working with stakeholders across the institution and the greater Guelph community.

The aim is to make the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences a model for building consensus during strategic change. We look forward to your feedback and insights as we continue on this journey together.