UTSA Strategic Plan Appendices
Appendix I
UTSA 2016 Strategic Planning Process
UTSA's strategic planning process focuses on excellence in teaching, the creation of new knowledge and engagement in public service while remaining committed to providing access to higher education. The strategic plan, UTSA 2016, recognizes and communicates the University's commitment to developing a road map that will guide its activities over the next 10 years.
Following the University's 35th anniversary celebration, the UTSA community embarked on an extensive, inclusive effort to chart a course for the institution. UTSA 2016 is a collaborative effort intended to ensure that all members of the University community have an opportunity to participate in establishing institution-wide priorities and strategies crucial to UTSA's journey to become a premier public research university.
Work on the plan began in spring 2006 with a retreat that included representatives of the administrators, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and external constituents of UTSA. From this retreat, nine strategic themes were identified and values important to our University citizens proposed. At the close of the retreat, participants volunteered to serve on thematic teams to develop the themes to which they were committed. In addition, one team volunteered to address the University vision, mission, and values statements to reflect UTSA's evolving role.
During the summer, the teams organized, began meeting and gathering information about their themes, and began the work of determining how to flesh out their themes. A second retreat in September provided an opportunity for participants of the initial retreat to learn of progress to date from the thematic team leaders, to discuss and evaluate the proposed vision, mission, and values statements, and to provide feedback. In mid-October, each thematic team incorporated suggestions from the September retreat and submitted a rough draft with proposed strategic goals, objectives, strategies, and metrics for its theme. Revised vision, mission, and values statements were also submitted. A series of focus groups, involving both internal and external community members, met in November to review the vision, mission, and values statements. The focus groups also learned about the nine themes. The teams then integrated recommendations from the focus groups into their work. The final drafts of the thematic team reports, as well as the mission, vision, and values statements, were submitted in mid-December. These reports were given to a professional writer to combine into one document and to incorporate consistent tone and voice.
In January 2007, when the combined document was returned, the Central Planning Committee delegated to volunteers from the Committee the task of clustering the thematic reports around strategic initiatives and of extracting related goals. The new, shortened document was approved by the Central Planning Committee and given to internal writers to enhance and polish for presentation at a final retreat of the initial participants in February. The strategic plan draft was discussed in depth, and suggestions were incorporated into the document during the retreat.
Also in February, the Provost held an Academic Affairs retreat to review and propose input for the draft document. The group identified three foundational themes to underpin the UTSA educational experience as well as five areas of collaborative excellence on which to concentrate. These elements were incorporated into the draft.
In March, the draft Strategic Plan document was presented to personnel in each vice presidential area for response and feedback. In addition, the Silver to Gold Commission, representatives of UTSA's external community involved in planning for UTSA's 50th anniversary, reviewed the Plan on several occasions. The Plan was further refined based on the feedback of these groups.
In May, the draft was finalized and submitted for professional refinement to prepare it for submission. It was submitted to The University of Texas System at the end of May and approved in August.
All documentation related to the planning process, as well as drafts of all reports, was made available and continuously updated on the UTSA Strategic Plan Web site.
Appendix II
The University Foundational Themes and Areas of Collaborative Excellence by College
| Architecture | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationStudy abroad/exchange programs in Italy, Spain, Mexico; International community design and planning/certificate program; Global industry participation; International architecture and planning practice; Regional and vernacular studies DiversityUrban and regional planning master's degree program in collaboration with COPP; Community engagement through design and planning; Western/non-Western culture, histories, and traditions; study abroad/exchange programs in Italy, Spain, and Mexico; Regional and vernacular studies Transformative LeadershipArchitectural and urban planning; Multidisciplinary learning communities and advocacy; Professional program and practice; Firm-based studios; Design-build studios; Community engagement; Historic preservation, architecture, interior design, and planning |
HealthHolistic design and healthy environments; Healing environments; Next generation health care facilities; Sustainable community design and planning; Collaboration with UTHSCSA SecuritySecurity through design and planning, and risk analysis; Defensible space and community engagement Energy and EnvironmentEnergy efficient design/renewable energy; Carbon neutral approaches; Green building/LEED; Geographic Information Systems/Life cycle analysis; Smart environments; Energy audits and research projects; Building technologies and environmental systems; Environmental restoration through design and planning Human DevelopmentRegional and vernacular studies/certificate program; human well-being through design and planning; Measure, documentation, analysis of environments/GIS; Cultural ecology; Ideas, learning, meaning; Urban transformation; Growth, development, conversation, and change; Community engagement; Historic Preservation/Certification Program SustainabilityCultural sustainability: Historic preservation, regionalism, environmentally sensitive practice; Sustainable design and Planning/Sustainable Design Certificate Program; Role of architectural design in STEM (STEM to STEAM); Sustainable materials; Technology, process, practice and life cycle analysis |
| Business | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationInternational business degrees; Center for Global Entrepreneurship; Spanish language business certificate; European business accreditation; Study abroad, international internships and faculty exchanges; Headquarters to Business Association of Latin American Studies; Extensive scholarly research and publications in international/global areas, including health care; Research and educational programs in Mexico, Brazil, China and Canada; International Scholars in Residence Program; North American Summer School of Advanced Management Program; Latin American Council of Management Schools. DiversityThe role of cultural pluralism in scholarly and applied research, particularly in management and human resources; received National Society of Hispanic MBAs Brillante Award for Educational Excellence; Princeton Review 2007 Edition top 10 MBA program for minority students; Strong program for recruiting minority and female faculty; Business Scholars Program for first-generation students Transformative LeadershipEntrepreneurial and technology initiatives pursued through the Center for Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship; Transformational leadership as a core element of the EMBA program and the Center for Professional Excellence; Leadership Challenge Program for undergraduate students; Career Action Plan for undergraduate students |
HealthMBA concentration in health care management; Research collaboration with UTSA Department of Biology and UTHSCSA biostatistics department in health-related research; Proposed dual degree programs and partnerships with UTHSCSA SecurityUndergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. degree programs with security emphasis; Significant funded research in infrastructure assurance and security; Designated by NSA as Center of Infrastructure Assurance and Security Excellence; Research in the security of capital markets Energy and EnvironmentFaculty research and undergraduate and graduate programs in economics related to energy, environmental issues, and policies; Project management research in energy and environment management Human DevelopmentResearch related to organizational behavior and human resources at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the Ph.D. in business administration program; Student organizations and competitions in human resources; Editorship of human development journals SustainabilityCreation and sharing of knowledge related to business and economic sustainability in an increasingly challenging global business environment; Latino Financial Issues Program promotes financial literacy and economic development; Research and applied programs in entrepreneurship |
| Education and Human Development | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationDistinguished for the integration of cross-national perspectives, the exploration of global issues, and the provision of international learning experiences in the professional preparation of our students, the production of research and the performance of service DiversityResearch I - recognized for its diverse, supportive, and inclusive culture and its commitment to community-based collaboration; Internationally recognized for research that explores the theoretical and practical implications of the intersection of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, socioeconomic status and other identities with respect to education and human development Transformative LeadershipCenter for innovative policy and practice that develops inclusive, transformative leaders guided by principles of community, equity, respect for diversity, integrity, service, and scholarship |
HealthRecognized for theoretical and practical contributions to improving the physical and mental health of children and adults, with a particular focus on the needs of local and surrounding communities SecurityExtend understanding of and propose solutions to social science and policy issues affecting immigrant admission, settlement, and integration. Collaborate with community leaders, both locally and nationally, to address the challenge of providing a safe learning environment within an increasingly complex environment characterized by emergent threats that require novel responses Energy and EnvironmentPrepare educators who are knowledgeable about and committed to conservation and preservation of the environment Human DevelopmentPrepare professionals for leadership in education and human development organizations serving diverse populations across their life span. Emphasis is on critical examination of models of human development and their applicability to the specific individuals and communities with whom they work SustainabilityAcknowledged for our success in developing support mechanisms that sustain the programs and activities we initiate, both internally and externally |
| Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationCollaborations with institutions across the world for both research as well as study abroad programs to give students training in working with different cultures. DiversityContinuous improvement on the already high level of diversity in the college by reaching out to minorities and women through special programs including high school to college, and undergraduate to graduate transition programs Transformative LeadershipTraining work-ready graduates with leadership qualities who can work globally and lead international teams |
HealthBiomedical engineering with excellence in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, implants, biomaterials, biomechanics and computational biology SecurityMultidisciplinary expertise in areas such as information security, software and hardware for cyber security, explosives detection and modeling Energy and EnvironmentProgram development in areas of alternative and renewable energy sources, energy transmission and storage, and environment issues Human DevelopmentDevelopment of citizen leaders through a rigorous training in engineering, generating individuals who are problem solvers and seek lifelong learning SustainabilitySustaining aging structures and aircraft |
| Honors | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationStudy abroad/exchange programs in Italy, China, and Costa Rica. Internships with multinational companies. DiversityCross-cultural community service experiences. Research experiences with diverse populations. Transformative LeadershipDeveloping critical thinking skills through undergraduate research experiences within the Undergraduate Research Institute |
HealthA focus on human neurobiology within a partnership with UTHSCSA; Pre-medical school preparation including preparation for medical school entrance examinations SecurityGlobal perspective of security issues through the development of Honors Seminars Energy and EnvironmentEnergy and environment issues studied through an interdisciplinary perspective Human DevelopmentLeadership skills preparation in collaboration with the College of Business; Pre-law school preparation working with the Institute for Law and Public Policy SustainabilityWorking with the STEM Center in the College of Sciences to develop a better understanding of the importance of science, mathematics, and technology and their importance to the sustainability of our society |
| Liberal and Fine Arts | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationInherently global and international curricula, research, and service throughout the languages, social sciences, arts, and humanities disciplines DiversityThe college fosters diversity through two strategic areas of excellence: as a center for cultural activities (arts and humanities programming focusing on diversity issues); and as a center for cross-cultural communication (via the languages, humanities, arts, and social sciences) Transformative LeadershipA strong liberal arts baseline for all students is essential to the transformative experience of a UTSA education, and in equipping future transformative leaders |
HealthThe college concentrates on research and teaching on the social and behavioral aspects of health, through such disciplines as psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and others SecurityThe college has strengths in international relations and the development of security policy, mainly through the political science program Energy and EnvironmentCultural ecology, which deals with human interactions with the environment and energy resources, is the focus of the anthropology Ph.D. program Human DevelopmentThe arts, humanities, and social sciences disciplines of COLFA are fundamentally about human development SustainabilitySustainability is a critical issue in cultural ecology (anthropology department), and historic and cultural preservation (Center for Archaeological Research; history department) |
| Public Policy | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationResearch of local-global continuum of policy and practice DiversityStudy of impact of public policy and practice on diverse populations Transformative LeadershipDevelopment of transformative leaders capable of impacting policy, practice and research |
HealthHealth (including social and behavioral dimensions) policy analysis as well as study of health delivery systems and practice SecurityHomeland security policy and practice as well as its impact on society Energy and EnvironmentEnergy and environment policy and practices and their impact on the environment and diverse groups Human DevelopmentPublic policy and practice and their impact on human and social development in a diverse society SustainabilityGovernance structures and their impacts as well as integration of social and economic equity into the concept of "the public good |
| Sciences | |
|---|---|
| Foundational Themes | Areas of Collaborative Excellence |
GlobalizationPartnerships with Latin American universities and institutes to develop joint research and educational programs DiversityGraduate and undergraduate programs that are at minimum among the top 10 of all programs for Hispanics in the U.S. Transformative LeadershipLeadership in scientific education; Increasing scientific literacy for Hispanics; Undergraduate leadership in scientific research with understanding of the importance of science in solving the major problems facing the world; Providing training for scientific leaders based on collaborations with future employers |
HealthInfectious disease, neurobiology of aging and disease, computational sciences, stem cell research, medicinal chemistry, nanomedicine SecurityInformation and biological agent assurance; Global positioning Energy and EnvironmentWater resources, nanosciences; Bioremediation, sensors and monitoring; Green chemistry; Space physics Human DevelopmentScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center; Mathematics education; Leadership in science education of Hispanics SustainabilitySTEM Center; Ecological preservation |