The initiative for Innovative Academic Programming has several parts. To this point, the focus has been on new academic programming. Out of 25 programming ideas submitted through a call for proposals, committees in the process methodology selected nine for additional development and review. Of those, we selected three for implementation planning and identified two that warranted more detailed exploration before developing an implementation plan. We assigned three other ideas to specific groups for analysis and charged them with developing an action plan.

The three programs selected for implementation were a BBA in health care administration, a 4+1 in sport management with MBA, and a PSM (professional science master’s degree) in biotechnology. For these programs, the proposers and associated departments and faculty are currently engaged in:

• Final enrollment projections, budgets, and recruitment plans that will ensure sustainability of the programs – building on work of the Financial Vitality initiative
• Developing curriculum and related planning (e.g., program composition and structure, courses, course rotation, staffing)
• Approval processes (e.g., faculty meetings, Graduate or Undergraduate Council, administrative concurrences. Some will include review by TWU’s Board of Regents or Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)

The goals of this initiative for the 2019-20 academic year are to:

• Ensure the new program proposals can begin enrollment in fall 2020 and will complement the many strong programs in our academic portfolio
• Shephard completion of the analysis and action plans for the other identified program ideas
• Develop a process for reviewing the health and contributions of each existing academic program

We look forward to seeing the new programs develop and grow enrollment. We also are hopeful that the financial models developed thus far will provide a springboard into review of existing programs as we seek to serve students better while enhancing TWU’s financial vitality.

For more information, contact initiative champions Ron Hovis, Carolyn Kapinus or Randall Langston.

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Written by the Strategic Plan Design Team