Building a Research-Rich Learning Environment The Hope College Story from the Provost s Perspective April 15, 2005

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Joshua Justin Griffith
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1 Building a Research-Rich Learning Environment The Hope College Story from the Provost s Perspective April 15, 2005

2 What is the value of a research-rich learning environment to the college? Enables us to more effectively achieve the college s mission Provides national visibility Provides a strategic marketing niche Enriches and strengthens the entire learning environment Promotes strong mentoring relationships that last a long time

3 What is the value of a research-rich learning environment to the college? Supports the recruitment and retention of the best teacher-scholars Supports the recruitment and retention of the best students Helps to create networks with regional research entities Provides continuous opportunities for faculty development Spreads across all disciplines

4 What is the value of a research-rich learning environment to the college? Creates opportunities for interdisciplinary efforts, both within the sciences and with non-science programs Allows active participation in programs like CUR, NCUR, PKAL, etc. Increases opportunities for external funding for research Can stimulate a segment of the donor base for the college

5 Are there negatives to a strong science research environment? It can create some perceived inequities in faculty workload Perception that the science programs get a larger share of the resources The challenge of sustaining the equipment infrastructure It wears out buildings about every 30 years It is expensive At Hope the positives far outweigh the negatives and the negatives can be managed

6 What is my role as provost in creating and sustaining a research-rich environment? Make sure there is a divisional dean who is a leader Help remove barriers to creating successful programs Communicate Identify the visionary faculty and give them the resources they need Be an aggressive supporter of research programs to the rest of the college s administration

7 What is my role as provost in creating and sustaining a research-rich environment? Convince the bean counters that giving teaching load credit for research is a worthwhile investment Provide release time at critical times so that faculty can complete a grant, experiment, paper, etc. Be willing to take risks Keep the grant approval process as simple as possible

8 What is my role as provost in creating and sustaining a research-rich environment? Help provide resources to support research o o o o o Start-up money for new faculty Matching money for grants Summer grants for new faculty Equipment and facilities Sabbaticals Help provide dollars for students to present at regional and national meetings Don t neglect the social sciences, humanities, and arts

9 What is my role as provost in creating and sustaining a research-rich environment? Make sure search committees hire the best candidates it all starts with hiring Appreciate the needs of faculty at different career stages and support accordingly Continuously recognize scholarly accomplishments CELEBRATE! Be visible, listen and lead by example Perseverance pays visions can take time to become a reality Use all the brains you ve got and all you can borrow!

10 Other important characteristics: Seek the wisdom and support of the faculty leaders in the division Demonstrate trust Be willing to delegate Make sure everyone has a voice Be timely Demonstrate genuine care for people Say thanks Keep the monkey off your back

11 Things we ve done at Hope to promote research: Account for it in the instructional load assignment Aggressively pursue grant funds Help pay for summer housing for students Provide opportunity for mentoring new faculty Provide matching dollars for grants Advocate for a team approach Actively encourage interdisciplinary efforts

12 Things we ve done at Hope to promote research: Provide facilities and resources that support research Take advantage of a wide range of external resources Embrace change vs. constantly fighting it Intentionally hire to build research foci Flexibility with cross appointments Prompt and supportive help with grant submissions Hire the right people

13 Key questions to consider: Why do you want to build a research-rich environment? Is it part of your campus culture/ethos? If not, should it be? Are members of your faculty on board? Are your administrators on board? Are you prepared to make the sacrifices/commitment?

14 Key questions to consider: How has your leadership helped or hindered? If hindered, how do you intend to deal with it? Do you hire to achieve your goals? Does your curriculum promote a research environment? If not, is there the stomach to make the changes? Which hills are you willing to die on to achieve your goals?

15 The problem with a good idea is that it rapidly degenerates into hard work -Peter Drucker

November 16, pm

November 16, pm November 16, 2016 4-5pm AGENDA 1. RFP a. Hiring plans b. Startup plans c. Space plans d. Curriculum development e. Bio Sketches for core faculty 2. Moving the UCF Needle 3. Deans, Directors, & Chairs letters