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Mission, Vision and Values

Mission Statement

Student Affairs at The University of Tampa educates and empowers students to be global citizens through experiential and diverse learning opportunities that reinforce the values of the Spartan Code and enrich the lives of others. 

Values image

Vision Statement

Student Affairs at The University of Tampa will be known for its dynamic and collaborative campus community that engages every student in innovative learning experiences resulting in student success and life transformation. 

Strategic Planning Process

History

The Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee was formed in fall 2011 with the charge of creating core values, mission and vision statements. Through a participative process that engaged the whole division, these documents (Mission Statement, Core Values, Strategic Priorities) were adopted in May 2012. In January 2013, the strategic priorities for the division were adopted. The committee is now leading the effort within student affairs to identify strategic priorities and common learning domains. The committee is also charged with creating professional development opportunities to educate and engage the entire division to aid in advancing the strategic plan.

Philosophy

We chose to use a strategic planning strategy known as whole system change. At the core of this approach is a belief that all members of the division have something important and valuable to contribute (Bunker & Alban, 2006). By incorporating the diverse ideas and perspectives that exist within the student affairs staff at UT we created a collaborative environment of shared learning that challenged us to see the whole system at work. The outcome is a stronger understanding of where we are and where we would like to go which empowers each office within the division to align their goals and initiatives with the strategic plan without feeling limited. 

Committee Composition

The Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee is comprised of representatives from all offices within student affairs as well as a student representative. Committee members meet regularly (weekly or biweekly) throughout the year. Most committee members will serve a two-year term and will rotate off on alternate years.

Current membership

Katie Meyer-Griffith, Chair, Associate Director, Career Services
Elena Franqui, Staff Assistant, Residence Life
Michael Gilmer, Director, Student Conduct and Orientation
Tim Harding, Associate Dean, Career Development and Engagement
Sheila Hood, Associate Director, Career Services
Stephanie Russell Krebs, Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Yvonne Rodriguez, Counselor, Dickey Health and Wellness Center
Charles Yezak, Director, Campus Recreation

Assessment

The Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee is a data-driven group committed to developing and maintaining an assessment process that is used when crafting all aspects of the strategic plan. 

Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee Division Wide Events 

The Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee coordinates two division-wide programs per year to engage the entire division in the strategic planning process. Past programs include:

  • July 2011 Advance, facilitated by Timothy McMahon (focus on organizational change and diversity), PhD, http://leadership.uoregon.edu/ask_tim/about
  • Winter 2011 Staff Planning Day, facilitated by the Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee, (focus on mission statement development)
  • May 2012 Advance, facilitated by Michael Weeks, (focus on systems thinking) http://www.ut.edu/michaelweeks/
  • January 2013 Advance, facilitiated by Teri Bump (focus on likeability and career trajectory)   
References

Bunker, B. B., & Alban, B. T. (2006). Handbook of large group methods: Creating systemic change in organizations and communities. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.