Project Kaleidoscopeat Winona State UniversityBuilding a Research-Rich Learning

Environment at WSU

Defining Research in the context of WSU University Mission: Scholarly or artistic activity that enhances

learning and teaching through the processes of inquiry or creativity.

Vision/Mission:a Research-rich WSU

Establish a research-rich learning environment that is integrated into the curriculum at all levels and that is accessible, valued, embraced, rewarded, and celebrated by the WSU community.

Four Primary Goals

Establish WSU as a vital research resource for the community

Enhance student development through research throughout the curriculum

Enhance faculty & staff development through research

Revitalize our curriculum, by our sesquicentennial, to match our research vision and our mission

Strategies for Achieving Goals We need both short- and mid-term strategies

That will require action by faculty, students, administration, and the community

Change culture to recognize value of research in education

Establish WSU as a vital research resource for the community Short-term:

Improve communication – develop a consistent message and communicate clearly to all

Develop Industry Advisory Board for COSE

Establish an All-University group to develop & publish a campus research publication

Establish WSU as a vital research resource for the community Mid-term:

Host workshops/symposia on research

Establish and support Centers for Interdisciplinary Research

Promote image of WSU as an undergraduate research-rich university

Enhance student development through research throughout the curriculum Short-term:

Collect base-line data that quantifies current status of research across campus

Revise current student research/travel funding program – increase $ available and opportunities for students

Enhance student development through research throughout the curriculum Short-term:

Work with University Advancement to develop and solicit funds for student research

Provide Administration and Advancement with list of college-wide research needs

Enhance student development through research throughout the curriculum Mid-term:

Establish student employment that incorporates their research

Campus-wide celebration of scholarly accomplishments

Develop interdisciplinary courses that provide a research component

Enhance faculty & staff development through research Short-term:

Establish base-line data showing how people accomplish student research now: Time and resources currently available Time and resources that should be available

Establish support group for grant writing/provide time for grant writing

Enhance faculty & staff development through research Short-term:

Bring representatives from federal funding agencies to WSU to discuss opportunities

Hiring criteria for new faculty and administration to include a commitment to research-based curriculum and undergraduate research

Enhance faculty & staff development through research Mid-term:

Workshops How to create research opportunities Research in lower-division courses

Develop assessment tools

Develop means of providing resources and infrastructure for research

Revitalize our curriculum, by our sesquicentennial, to match our research vision and our mission Short-term:

Establish base-line data (departmentally) on existing research

Create a climate where research is valued throughout WSU community

Revitalize our curriculum, by our sesquicentennial, to match our research vision and our mission Short-term:

Incorporate research components into existing courses

Start bringing change through departmental discussion

Revitalize our curriculum, by our sesquicentennial, to match our research vision and our mission Mid-term:

Curricular revisions – task forces for review

Develop new courses that include research in the curriculum, including interdisciplinary

Identify courses for interdisciplinary research

WSU as an REU site

Action Agenda

Bring discussion back to College and campus community

Oct 14th – report out Definition, Vision, Goals, Strategies for implementation

Engage colleagues in furthering the vision and strategic plan

Communication!

Action Agenda

Communication Communicate what we have come up with to the

university Include campus community in the discussion and

creation of strategic plan Identify & connect w/ key people/leaders outside

of COSE Draw others in COSE departments into this work

Action Agenda

Assessment plan development Collect base line data – what do we already do?

Perceptions about research capacity at WSU

How to best demonstrate impact of research on learning

Action Agenda

Demonstrate the value of undergraduate research Prepare a list of reasons to share with colleagues Benefits of research to students, faculty, and

university Keep definition broad Tie to contract criteria Create list of peer institutions that are research-

rich

Action Agenda Institutional membership in CUR

commitment to role of research in undergraduate education

Promote student participation at NCUR meetings

Establish a working group to bring faculty active in research and faculty interested in research together to enhance research opportunities for the WSU community