Provost Carolyn Kapinus recently updated the university community on a number of issues, including the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), accreditation reaffirmation, TWU’s next steps as a university system, and more.

Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

The university’s next QEP will be “Health Leadership in the Public Interest,” which focuses on developing communication skills that prepare graduates to lead and serve as competent health and wellness advocates in the workplace and society. Regardless of discipline, the QEP presents numerous opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to participate building off of the Health and Wellbeing Initiative's themed areas: Mind Well, Build Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Spend Well.

QEP selection committee members were:

• Amanda Hurlbut (Teacher Education, Denton), chair
• Shaunon McClellan (formerly Pioneer Center for Student Excellence, Dallas) chair
• Phyliciá Anderson (Reading Education graduate student, Denton)
• Kenneth Evans (Library, Denton)
• Seren Lind (Psychology student, Denton)
• Mindy Patterson (Nutrition & Food Sciences, Houston)
• Becky Rodriguez (Diversity, Inclusion & Outreach, Denton)
• David Rylander (Business, Denton)
• Rochelle Schultz (Nursing, Houston)
• Jennifer Shealey (CARE student assistant, Denton)
• Hunter Vermeer (History graduate assistant Denton)
• Kyle Voyles (Center for Student Development, Denton)
• Jennifer Wilson (Nursing, Dallas)

The next step: Planning for implementation, which includes identifying student learning outcomes, identifying assessment measures, developing a budget, and conducting a pilot implementation.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Reaffirmation

Reaffirmation involves three elements:

• An extensive compliance report
• A Quality Enhancement Plan
• A site visit

The compliance report will be submitted in September, and the site visit and QEP presentation are scheduled for spring 2023.

SACSCOC steering committee members are:

• Rana Askins (Finance and Administration, Denton)
• Joshua Adams (Pioneer Center for Student Excellence, Denton)
• Mark Hamner (Institutional Research & Improvement, Denton)
• Holly Hansen-Thomas (Research & Innovation, Graduate School, Denton)
• Sara Ishii (Visual Arts, Denton)
• Stephanie Krauth (Student Life, Denton)
• Barbara Lerner (Undergraduate Studies & Academic Partnerships, Denton)
• Jennifer Martin (Executive Vice Provost, retired)
• Kimberly Miloch (Faculty Success, Denton)
• Gray Scott (Institutional Research & Improvement, Denton)
• Deanna Titzler (Marketing & Communication, Denton)

TWU System

In fall 2021, Chancellor Carine Feyten appointed a task force representing multiple divisions and campuses to explore next steps as a university system. The task force was scheduled to present its report to the cabinet on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Once the task force can incorporate feedback they receive from the cabinet and chancellor, they will share the report with the Texas Woman’s community.

Strategic Plan and Strategic Enrollment Planning

The Strategic Plan Design Team will host listening sessions during the last two weeks of March to share an update on Learn to Thrive: Strategic Plan 2022. They will also gather feedback from the Texas Woman’s community at these sessions on the high-level goals proposed for our next strategic plan.

During this academic year, TWU also has been developing a Strategic Enrollment Planning process with the help of its consultant from Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL). The overarching goal of this process is to increase enrollment, and TWU has had tremendous support and involvement in assisting the university in developing the priorities to help reach the goal. Sixty-one faculty and staff from a variety of areas participated in the process.

Health Science Center

This past fall, the Texas Legislature authorized $100 million in funds to construct a health sciences building on the Denton campus. Of the roughly 45 building projects submitted to the Legislature, only four received funding of $100 million or more. The chancellor, as well as Denton County legislators, advocated for the funding to increase programing in high-need, health-related fields and expand access to health care in rural areas. University officials currently are reviewing statements of qualifications to select an architect/engineering firm that will engage stakeholders in planning the project.

The provost also noted the university’s return to normal density and teaching modality, as well as Risk Management’s updated contact tracing procedure. She encouraged anyone with questions about COVID-19 reporting or quarantine to visit the TWU coronavirus website.