University Institute introduces ‘Toward a Brighter Future: Key strategies for Central State University improvement’

Central State University faculty and staff came together for University Institute on Aug. 8 to officially launch the 2024-25 academic year in an exciting time of enhancements of its service to students and other stakeholders.  

In welcoming attendees, Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti, the 10th President of Central State, shared his excitement for the coming year. He also gave the State of the University address, highlighting the opportunities that lie ahead. (See related story.)  

“I step into this role with a sense of homecoming, for it was 42 years ago that I arrived on the yard as a student,” Kuti said. “The journey from those formative years to this day is a testament to the transformative power of education and Central State’s enduring spirit.”  

Four key strategies will guide faculty and staff for the upcoming academic year based on listening sessions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders during the transitional period of Kuti’s assumption of the Presidency. Kuti said the CSU community will hone each strategy and commit to implementing each one throughout the year.  

“Our shared commitment to academic excellence, student success, and societal impact will guide us as we write the next chapter in Central State University’s storied history,” Kuti said. “Together, we will honor the past, embrace our present, and shape a bright future for generations of students to come.”  

The four key strategies, which were developed from Presidential listening sessions and results from the Cultural Contextual Elements (CCE) survey, were reviewed in depth in breakout sessions throughout the afternoon. They include the following:  

• Building Bridges Across Stakeholders 

• Empowering Faculty and Staff 

• Prioritizing Student Success 

• Optimizing Campus Resources 

The University’s new interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Amy Hobbs Harris, recognized the University’s faculty in helping students achieve academic excellence.  

“None of our aspirations would be possible without the dedication and hard work for our extraordinary faculty,” she said. “Your unwavering commitment to our students and the University’s mission is truly commendable. Whether you are teaching in the classroom, conducting groundbreaking research, or developing cutting-edge curriculum, your contributions are the foundation of our success. As we face the challenges and opportunities of the new academic year, I am confident that your passion and professionalism will continue to propel the University to new heights.”  

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Key strategy: Prioritizing Student Success 

In prioritizing student success, Central State intends to place the academic achievement, personal growth, and overall well-being of students at the forefront of all University decisions, initiatives, and resources. This aims to ensure students' holistic development and positive outcomes during and after their time at the Institution.  

Dr. Anne-Marie Walkowicz, associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, said colleagues came to her breakout session with creative ideas on how to prioritize student success.  

“This was an exciting event, and I was honored to be selected to lead one of the breakout sessions,” she said. “I appreciated how the information from the President's Listening Sessions and the CCE committees was processed and shared as the basis for the breakout sessions. These sessions could then provide an additional place for administration, faculty, and staff to discuss the topics and come together to formulate solutions. The event was framed as a place where faculty and staff had a voice in the process and could choose to commit to making Central State a place of excellence.” 

The session on Prioritizing Student Success offered an engaging time for attendees. 

“As leaders, (Vice Provost of Engagement and Persistence and Dean of Student Development) Dr. (Ryan) Griffin and I sought to bring Student Affairs and Academic Affairs closer together and to support building working relationships across campus,” Walkowicz said. “I enjoyed watching groups of members from various aspects of campus talk across the divide to support holistic student development. 

"Together, these groups learned more about the issues students face and worked together to form solutions that can improve students' Central State experience. These solutions were tangible."

I feel everyone left with a sense that we need to think about our students holistically, and that when we do, we raise them up to focus on graduation and their careers.” 

Key strategy: Building Bridges Across Stakeholders  

Central State University will foster effective communication and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and community partners to create a unified, well-informed community that enhances mutual understanding and collective progress.  

By improving communication and relationships between faculty, staff, and students, the University intends to serve as a hub of learning, research, and innovation. One goal will be to update CSU programs to teach in-demand skills for today’s workforce. 

The new Monday Morning Marauder will highlight events happening around Central State University. Additionally, the University’s monthly e-newsletter, The Ambassador, will continue to share the news about CSU's exceptional students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Check out the latest newsletters here.  

Key strategy: Optimizing Campus Resources  

Central State will efficiently allocate and manage University assets, facilities, and personnel to maximize educational outcomes, operational effectiveness, and overall Institutional value while minimizing waste and redundancy.  

“Our afternoon session, Optimizing Campus Resources, was highly participatory and engaging,” said Bobbie Bowling, assistant vice president for Sponsored Programs Administration, who ran the session with Sheila Brown, budget director in the Office of Administration and Finance. 

“Faculty and staff overwhelmingly committed to three main themes: standardization and transparency in our policies and procedures; timeliness in our service to each other and external stakeholders; and a resounding commitment to our students through access to state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, as well as increased services and resources,” Bowling added.  

Key strategy: Empowering Faculty and Staff  

The University will provide personnel with the tools, training, autonomy, and support needed to excel in their roles, innovate in their fields, and actively contribute to the Institution’s mission and success. 

Pamela Bowman, director of Human Resources and Title IX coordinator, said approximately 140 attendees participated in the two Empowering Faculty and Staff sessions. They identified four areas of focus: interdepartmental communication, support in the form of financial resources, faculty and staff mental health support, and technology. 

Ideas proposed by faculty and staff included communicating from one reliable source; updating forms and processes; offering monetary and non-monetary incentives, such as remote work, gift cards, and increased salaries; fostering work-life balance and providing access to the Counseling Services relaxation room and a mental health day; offering technological support and access to a 24-hour computer lab; and updating the University website.

Measuring and reporting progress  

University leaders will report on the work completed on these strategies at each Board of Trustees meeting and communicate progress in regular, University-wide updates. Through interactive discussions, faculty and staff were invited to share their ideas on identifying the top priorities for the year, discussing ways to measure success and best implement each strategy, and committing to how each person will participate.  

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Following University Institute, Hobbs Harris said she is eager to begin the process for the 2025-30 strategic plan. 

“In the meantime, our four key strategies will help us complete the current strategic plan,” she said. “These strategies are based on extensive input from the University community. I, for one, have learned much. We will continue to involve everyone as we move forward to create a brighter future for CSU!”