TRANSFORMATION TEAMS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK
The Transformation core teams for Student Experience and Academic Operations launched last week. As they start their work, these teams are engaging in Discovery about how we serve and support students today and what options we have to incorporate new approaches and best practices into our work. These teams will also be working with sub-teams of functional experts from each institution to help ensure that we design processes and systems to support the work that we do and uncover opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency. The sub-teams will be launching over the next few weeks now that the core teams are off and running.
One element of feedback we received during the kickoff conversations was that we should be more intentional about how we incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and perspectives into our transformation work. There is recognition that more could and should be done. We are convening a work group that will help us to identify or create a framework that will be part of our process moving forward.
We also plan to create a Student Advisory Council to incorporate student input and feedback into the transformation process. This will be synchronized with the students’ return to campus and we will be providing details on how students can nominate themselves or be nominated for participation in the Council in a future transformation update.
If you would like to learn more about the Student Experience and Academic Operations project kickoffs, the slide decks from each of the presentations are attached to this update. You can also learn more at the following upcoming events.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING ON TRANSFORMATION
To ensure that everyone is up to date on and familiar with our Transformation projects, Wilson Garland, the Director of Transformation Projects, will be hosting a Town Hall Webinar next Monday, July 26th, at 2:30 p.m. Wilson and others will be presenting an overview of the project management efforts so far and the process we are using to move this work forward. This information will be similar to what was provided to the teams that were launched last week. People who attend the Zoom webinar will have an opportunity to submit questions, and we will try to answer as many as we can.
The webinar link is available here: https://vsc.zoom.us/j/84555226443
If you are unable to attend the Town Hall or you have additional questions or input you would like to share in a more informal setting, Wilson is also hosting a number of Zoom sessions called Transformation Virtual Office Hours over the next couple of weeks, starting tomorrow. Feel free to drop in, meet Wilson, and get your questions answered.
GET YOUR TRANSFORMATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Our first informal information virtual sessions with Wilson will begin this week. If you have questions about Transformation and how the work will be organized or you have ideas or suggestions about things that should be considered during the transformation effort, these sessions are for you.
Tuesday, July 20th, 10:00am https://vsc.zoom.us/j/85761503744
Thursday, July 22nd, 2:00pm https://vsc.zoom.us/j/81146599506
Wednesday, July 28th, 11:00am https://vsc.zoom.us/j/85688557676
Friday, July 30th, 10:00am https://vsc.zoom.us/j/86253521140
LIBRARY DIRECTOR UPDATE
Our search for a Director of VSCS Libraries has concluded, and James (Jim) Allen will be transitioning into this role later this month. Jim brings clear passion for the work of the VSCS, deep knowledge of our current library systems and operations, and a commitment to creating an inclusive process for transformation. He has over fifteen years of library leadership and management experience in the VSCS and in New Hampshire and has served in a variety of roles in the Hartness Library beginning in 2001. Jim is currently the Hartness Library Director and Chair of the VSC Library Council and holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Keene State College.
Thank you to Andrew Alexander (CU), Susan Currier (VTC), Billie Langlois (CU), David Plazek (NVU), and Deborah Stewart (CCV) for serving on the search committee and to all library personnel, faculty, and other staff across the system who engaged with our finalist candidates and provided feedback to the search committee.
NEW INSTITUTION PRESIDENT SEARCH
Several weeks ago, we shared that we were searching for an executive search firm to help us identify a president for the new institution. We’re pleased to share that we will be working with executive search firm, Storbeck Search. Storbeck will be providing a presentation on the search process at the upcoming August 4th Board meeting.