Goal 1: Build an institution-wide mindset that prepares graduates for 21st-century careers and citizenship
ACTION 1.1: Ensure that communications jobs of the 21st century are incorporated into the School’s curriculum, including at the graduate level. The following areas will receive more attention:
- Sports communications in all forms;
- Data analytics, including user/audience insights;
- Media literacy;
- Film, television and streaming media production;
- The business side of communications;
- New delivery formats such as podcasting;
- Visual communications, including design; and
- Working in diverse, cross-cultural environments.
ACTION 1.2: Improve School of Communications programs to reflect what it means to be a 21st century citizen to improve the student experience.
ACTION 1.3: Refine and develop professional partnerships to enhance experiential learning, to improve Hamden-Quinnipiac relations, and to promote interdisciplinary work in the School of Communications. Engaging in such partnerships helps teach our students— both at the undergraduate and graduate level—how to be good community citizens and improves the public’s image of communicators.
ACTION 1.4: Assess professional development and research needs and opportunities, with a focus on gaining new information in their fields and insight into emerging technologies, as well as community and sustainability projects. Smarter faculty improves the student experience.
The goal of an institutional mindset that prepares graduates for citizenship and 21st-century careers will be achieved through high-impact learner preparation, investment in 21st-century market-driven fields, integrated advising throughout a student’s life, faculty/staff support for intellectual agility, and facilities that house these initiatives.
Goal 2: Create an inclusive, excellence-driven community
ACTION 2.1: Start outreach program that targets high school and community college students interested in careers in communications, with a focus on diversity.
ACTION 2.2: Expand professional academic advising services within the School of Communications that will improve the student experience.
ACTION 2.3: Expand summer curriculum for Quinnipiac students via QU Transition and others that will improve the student experience.
ACTION 2.4: Find more financial resources to attract a diverse group of students, building upon the success of the Hearst Scholarships. Develop opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for underrepresented graduate students.
ACTION 2.5: Expand diversity of faculty and staff to better reflect the student body that they serve.
ACTION 2.6: Develop more ethnic and global studies courses and expand existing courses such as COM 340 “Exploring Communications Abroad,” MSS 311 “Diversity and the Media” and MSS 346 “Global Communication.” Provide opportunities for students to explore communication theory and practice as it relates to minorities and gender issues, which will improve the student experience.
ACTION 2.7: Enhance and expand the social, cultural and educational footprint of the School of Communications to the world on a sustained basis.
As the University of the Future, Quinnipiac will advance its commitment to inclusive excellence through targeted efforts in strengthening diverse pipelines into QU, in transitioning and retaining nontraditional students and in financial support for these students. Inclusivity and excellence will be enhanced through our curricula, and through the recruitment and recognition of outstanding faculty who advance distinctive scholarship and serve as role models for inclusivity in our community.
Goal 3: Nurture and positively impact internal, local and global communities
ACTION 3.1: Move all School of Communications offices and functional areas into the same building, which will dramatically improve the student experience, with a focus on the following features:
- Ample and versatile spaces for gatherings and events that promote community (internal and external), sharing of ideas, and showcasing of work;
- Private, dedicated offices and spaces for faculty and staff to conduct individual meetings and interviews in compliance with FERPA and ADA regulations;
- Space for on-campus experiential learning through professional partnerships, such as The Agency;
- Spaces for students to work on senior capstone classes/projects;
- Space for student meetings, interdisciplinary collaborations, and summer workshops;
- Photography space to reflect the increasing importance of visual communications in our disciplines; and
- A 21st century instruction facility in film, television and media arts including a 150-seat screening room, a large sound stage, audio and video editing suites and a large three-wall green screen room.
- A dedicated space for graduate students and graduate student events.
ACTION 3.2: Support student, faculty and staff mental and physical health.
ACTION 3.3: Build and nurture a sense of community and identity within the School of Communications.
ACTION 3.4: Engage students in communities outside the Quinnipiac campus on a regional and global scale.
ACTION 3.5: Recognize need for faculty and staff holistic support to sustain student success.
The goal of lifting internal, regional and global communities will be advanced by nurturing the physical and mental wellness of the QU community, enriching the intellectual and social life of the university through investment in facilities and associated programming, serving as a model steward of our human, financial and natural resources, and becoming a true partner in the regional and global ecosystem for the reciprocal advantages of knowledge transfer, mutual learning opportunities, labor force development and engaged citizenry.
Goal 4: Foster lifelong connections and success
ACTION 4.1: Develop online certificate programs that would be attractive for alumni enrollment. Some areas that will be explored are global media, financial communications and media analytics.
ACTION 4.2: Funded alumni engagement to forge deeper ties and create a persistent educational exchange and culture. This includes items that generate revenue to offset the costs of delivering the services.
ACTION 4.3: Funded 20th anniversary of School of Communications celebration. This is a singular major event that must be measured for outcomes. It will require precise planning and funding. The strategic plan strongly urges immediate planning for this event.
To build lifelong connections and success, QU will develop a comprehensive alumni program with multiple touchpoints enhancing lifelong engagement opportunities, networks, emotional ties and career advantages. Lifelong professional and personal development will be supported by the Quinnipiac Advantage Program, and the Partnership Engagement Council will facilitate collaboration and connection across a far-reaching network of partners. These initiatives will support thriving professionals, through the arc of their careers, who have enduring pride in, and gratitude for, their alma mater.