SPC Framework: Operational Effectiveness

As a graduate school with more than 40 graduate and advanced certificate programs encompassing some two dozen disciplines and fields, and an increasingly diverse student body, there are significant challenges to achieving operational effectiveness. GSAS will continue to invest in all areas closely designed to strengthen operational effectiveness as the foundation upon which the above-described strategic planning priorities rests. These include program-specific and school-branding marketing and recruitment; mainstreaming data collection, monitoring, and analysis across sub-units within GSAS; continuous assessment of existing and the development of new policies that keep GSAS on the cutting edge of graduate education; collaboration with departments and programs on infrastructure; and sophisticated information management and exchange.

Recent investments in these areas have yielded proven results, strengthening our ability to compete successfully with peer and aspirant institutions; to be responsive and adaptive to student and faculty needs; and to enhance further Fordham’s reputation nationally and internationally. As we forge ahead with strategic planning, the following objectives will be at the forefront:

• Adapt and grow GSAS program-specific and school branding marketing on the basis on evaluation and assessment to ensure strong return on investment.
• Sustained planning for GSAS human resource management that accommodates academic program and student body growth, particularly in the areas of academic program support, marketing, and admissions.
• Build out the final elements in the survey suite GSAS established in 2016-17 (incoming students, enrolled students, exiting students), by implementing alumni surveys that capture vital career placement data on our graduates. These data will also aid in strategic academic program planning and student professional development initiatives, and inform GSAS partnerships with relevant University support units (e.g. DAUR, Career Services, Student Affairs). It will also involve continued external collaboration with the Council of Graduate Schools on its Understanding Career Pathways project.
• Continuous monitoring of current GSAS policy effectiveness and investing in the development of responsive policy in the areas of holistic admissions; faculty-student mentoring; pregnancy and parenting; co-tutelles; auditing and credit-transfers; and academic freedom.
• Continued collaboration with the Lincoln Center (LC) Space Planning Committee to ensure GSAS program needs are represented in strategic planning for use of LC space; increasing classroom use efficiency rates and continuity in GSAS course planning.
• Improve overall GSAS information management and exchange with prospective students, faculty, students, and staff by harnessing technology (e.g. Slate; social media) and viewing all GSAS activities through the lens of communications.