J&W University President -- Welcome

Dear Friends,
Over the last year and a half, I have led the effort of setting the course for our new strategic plan that will take Johnson & Wales to the next level of accomplishment. Appropriately named FOCUS 2011—Strengthening America’s Career University®—this strategic plan emphasizes the enhancement of quality throughout the University, and is a deliberate exercise in staying true to our roots while ensuring we continue to make the necessary strides to be proactive and competitive in the higher education arena.

Thanks to a culture of planning that was formalized in 1989 and has since continued at regular intervals, J&W has enjoyed tremendous growth, resulting in a fully accredited, multi-campus institution with more than 16,000 students, nearly 2,000 employees, an endowment and investments of almost $200 million, and more than 70,000 alumni. Through the years we have remained unique, innovative and proud of our niche, and FOCUS 2011 will ensure that we enjoy lasting success.

We have already launched several universitywide initiatives and teams that will serve as the building blocks for the success of FOCUS 2011, including, but not limited to the

Revision and upgrading of processes within the College of Culinary Arts since the spring of 2005, to ensure the successful pursuit of a food safety gold standard
Development of a faculty evaluation and progress system in September 2005
Creation of the Strategic Enrollment Team in October 2005
Hiring of a consultant in October 2005, whose report is the basis for a cross-campus taskforce that is in the midst of re-designing M.B.A. curriculum
Creation of a Distance Education Platform Committee in February 2006
Launch of a newly configured Employer Development Team in the spring of 2006
Appointment of a new senior vice president of Institutional Advancement in February 2006 and the launch of integrated advancement efforts and plans in the summer of 2006
Establishment of an Experiential Education Taskforce in April 2005 led to the search for a new dean of experential education in June 2006, with the goal of filling this new position in January 2007
Revision and development of curriculum based on the April 2006 announcement to eliminate associate degrees in the business and hospitality colleges by September 2008
Planning of a training institute for J&W faculty and staff began in June 2006
Formation of an International Strategic Enrollment Team in October 2006

These are just a handful of examples; the rest of this issue will expose you to others. FOCUS 2011 will make certain we deliver on the promise we make to our students and build on past success. It will compel us to make conscious choices and data-driven decisions, and redefine and fund the things we truly believe will make J&W a better place. Using quantitative and qualitative measures, we will not only assess progress, but also promote improvement.

I have convened a steering committee charged with ensuring that we remain deliberately committed to the plan. Working with others across the system, you can expect to receive regular reports and updates from this committee, so we all know where we stand and can make adjustments to our strategy if necessary.

Led by Mim Runey, senior vice president, institutional planning, the steering committee includes:

Marie Bernardo, university registrar and executive director, student services
Tom Dwyer, executive vice president; treasurer; chief financial officer
Charles Cook, senior vice president, university affairs
Ken DiSaia, vice president, enrollment management
Robin Krakowsky, senior vice president, administration
Bill McArdle, senior vice president, finance
Patricia McLaughlin, senior vice president, institutional advancement
Piya Sarawgi, director, university communications
Veera Sarawgi, assistant provost
Donna Yena, vice president, career development

This fall we rolled out the strategic plan to all employees. The response has been tremendous and that is crucial, as FOCUS 2011 will require everyone’s active participation. The interplay between the areas of the plan and its related initiatives demand that we work as a cohesive community on shared goals. While spread across four locations, we are one university, with one board of trustees and one accreditation. No matter the geographic distance, we need to work in deliberate harmony and ensure we accomplish this plan together.

This is a dynamic time in our history. Moving forward, please visit FOCUS 2011 for updates.

In this issue I have shared ways in which I believe we can all make an impact. I welcome your feedback at focus2011@jwu.edu.

FOCUS 2011 and YOU
FOCUS 2011 is ambitious! It demands rigor, relevance and excellence in the classroom; it raises the bar for student experiences. It requires us to sharpen recruitment strategies, implement campus-specific retention programs and address affordability. It compels us to re-engineer experiential education, enhance employer relations, and calls for multifaceted investment in structural, fiscal and human assets.

So, does FOCUS 2011 impact you? YES, it impacts each and every one of us at J&W and should influence your work with students, parents, employers, your fellow co-workers and the community.

Every day we must raise expectations of quality for our students and for ourselves. How? By continually

Engaging students with relevant lectures and fostering intellectually stimulating discussions
Connecting our students to the right experiential opportunities
Promoting civility through our actions and reactions so students understand our expectations of them in our classrooms, residence halls, recreational facilities, dining halls, in the community, at their on-campus jobs, co-ops and externships
Ensuring textbooks come in on time, so students are prepared for class
Coaching students to be more financially responsible by promoting fiscal responsibility through budgets and vendor selection
Making sure the busses and other campus transportation runs on time
Working in conjunction with other offices across the campus and the entire system
Communicating consistent, clear and unified messages that do not compromise our identity or reputation
Upholding University policies and procedures and focusing on shared results
Encouraging students to engage in fitness programs and healthy lifestyles
Remembering that students who have productive and meaningful work study and office assistant experiences are more prone to stay at the institution
Being informed of campus events, student services and resources so students, parents, employers and community members are referred to the appropriate department
Acknowledging that a safe and attractive campus is everyone’s responsibility

Let us know how you (and your colleagues) can and are strengthening America’s Career University by e-mailing focus2011@jwu.edu.