Overview - Strengthen and Leverage Programs of Distinction and Promise

Strengthen and leverage the academic programs that have been designated as programs of distinction or promise, to bring greater prominence to them and to the University as a whole.

Original Goal Four Planning Document

When The Pathway to Success was launched in the fall of 2010, to accomplish this goal, the university made the commitment to:

• Strengthen programs of distinction and promise
• Create a Center for Rural Life

As with many University activities, these initiatives evolved as additional consideration was given to how best meet the goals and objectives of the strategic plan. The University continues to maintain its commitment to existing programs of distinction and promise,such as the Networks Financial Institute. The creation of a Center for Rural Life has been reformulated as the Rural-Urban Entrepreneurship Development Institute, part of the Unbounded Possibilities initiative. These efforts are designed to help meet the needs of the state of Indiana and to enhance the image and reputation of Indiana State University.

The possibilities of Unbounded Possibilities

the course of the last four years, the driving forces behind Goal Four have evolved, leading to the creation of Unbounded Possibilities. This $5 million internal investment initiative concentrates on working across the University’s colleges and departments to:

• provide solutions in addressing some of the community’s big challenges: energy efficiency, rural business development and obesity;
• enhance arts and educational opportunities;
• facilitate economic growth and development;
• offer resources and support to explore issues related to homeland security and unmanned systems, health and faith, and ethical use of genomic information; and
• increase the University’s impact and successes in the area of experiential learning and community engagement.

Unbounded Possibilities embraces the need for greater internal collaboration and focuses on how faculty and staff can work in greater partnership to address societal needs. The initiative builds on an earlier one funded by the Lilly Endowment that identified the University’s most distinctive and promising programs, and set aside funds for their promotion and further development. The selected programs also utilize community engagement and experiential learning in ways that will enhance Indiana State’s reputation at the local, state and national levels.

Community School of the Arts

The Community School of the Arts (CSA) provides hands-on arts learning experiences for children, youth and adults in the Wabash Valley while providing students who are majoring in the arts outstanding opportunities for experiential learning through teaching. CSA is the only comprehensive educational outreach of its kind in Indiana and one of a very few in the United States.

Institute for Community Sustainability

The Institute for Community Sustainability (ICS) is the first comprehensive effort to integrate all of the sustainability efforts on campus and in the Wabash Valley, working with students and the community to research sustainable solutions for the region. Students help local businesses and organizations improve the environment by analyzing costs and benefits and by providing innovative ideas for resource use. ICS documents best practices and helps businesses and communities develop a greater understanding of how to live sustainably for the next generation.

Center for Global Engagement

The Center for Global Engagement supports Indiana State’s strategic goals emphasizing experiential learning and community engagement. One of the center’s primary efforts is to determine what optimally aids students to think globally when their lives largely have been framed locally. The center supports faculty-led, short-term international experiences for students as well as conferences, workshops and symposia that engage both local and international communities.

The Center for Genomic Advocacy

Indiana State University created The Center for Genomic Advocacy to prepare students for the societal transformation brought on by genomic technology. The center’s mission is to develop a community of advocates through interdisciplinary studies in biology, political science, business, ethics and health. It also is charged with ushering Indiana State into the genomics era by promoting the responsible use of genomic technology for the betterment of society while mitigating the negative effects that such technology may have on individuals. This will be accomplished through new academic programs, interdisciplinary research, public engagement and social advocacy.