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North
Dakota State University
South Dakota State University
University of Minnesota
During the first phase of NL-LINC, we have
learned a number of useful things that address organizational,
programmatic and partnership elements for the project.
Project Timeline --- In Phase 1, we have (1)
developed mission statement and new project title; (2) adopted the
vision statement from the FSPE project; (3) convened a tri-state
faculty development day on the engaged institution; (4) agreed to keep
a close programmatic affinity between LINC, FSPE and the President's
Commission; (5) provided ongoing updates to higher administration.
Organizational
-- NL-LINC struggled in its early months about project leadership and
the extent and nature of collaboration among the three institutions.
We have resolved this concern by using networks, staff and best
practices generated through our Kellogg-sponsored FSPE project,
Visions for Change as well as a change in directorship and involvement
of state level faculty leaders. Through
extensive staff support from VFC and consistent energy from
participating faculty, we have developed a solid learning community
with momentum and excitement about the institutional potential.
Programmatic
The regional group has not only identified and
participated in a process for working together to develop ideas for
Phase 2, but also expressed that a tangible regional project that
addressed key faculty development issues should transpire during Phase
1 of NL-LINC. To this
end, we have identified and sent teams to each of the national
learning conferences and scheduled regular conference calls.
In January, NL-LINC will offer a tri-state Faculty Development
Day on the Engaged Institution in early January, which will bring
together 60 faculty from the three institutions.
With the invitations to faculty coming from the Deans and
Vice-Presidents of the three institutions, there was a great deal of
interest by faculty in participating.
Best
Practices for Communications
Frequently convened conference calls over the
long-term direction of the project as well as tangible joint projects
have really moved the project along well.
Crisp facilitation, a quick turnaround time, informative emails
and a heavily used webpage have been additional communications
strategies that work well for the region.
Meetings and conversations convened at the state-level have
assisted in developing an institutional context for NL-LINC within
each state.
We have also learned, via our FSPE projects, the
importance of media coverage early on.
Because we have already generated a learning curve through
Visions for Change, we now understand the utility and have the
contacts to provide media coverage, photo documentation and evaluation
for each type of convening.
Balancing
Regional and State Priorities
We are not only conceptualizing what we will
share during Phase 2 (like engaged scholarship, collaboration and
partnerships with communities, use of the arts), but are also
exploring what the potential of this project is at the respective
state level as well. As
we move closer to finalizing the Phase 2 proposal, we will know what
our regional and state-level priorities and activities will be.
We have...
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