SharePoint Launch, Working Groups Kickoff and Proposed Unit Integration

This message was shared with all faculty and staff on January 23rd, 2025.

Dear Colleagues,

Academic Transformation working groups have launched and will tackle key areas of the project in four-week sprints. They will dedicate the next six months to designing the foundational elements of the transformation and a blueprint for implementation, working across groups to ensure alignment and cohesion. These are monumental tasks, and I am grateful to all for their time and dedication.

SharePoint Launch

An Academic Transformation Sharepoint site for faculty and staff has launched as a centralized location to share working group updates, project timelines, contact information and FAQs. The site will be regularly updated to serve as an internal go-to resource. Please use the contact form on the SharePoint site or this form to submit questions and feedback.

LeBow/Close Integration Proposal

A proposal to integrate the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship within the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business has gone to the Faculty Senate for review. The proposal was drafted and endorsed by LeBow Dean Vibhas Madan, PhD, and Close Dean Donna M. De Carolis, PhD, and received support from their respective faculty and academic leadership. After reviewing and indicating my support as Provost, the proposal was sent to Senate Chair Owens and discussed at the Jan. 21 Senate meeting. It will be further reviewed at a Jan. 28 meeting of the Faculty Steering Committee.

I am encouraged by the progress, momentum and commitment of faculty and staff working to make this ambitious transformation a reality. This is an undertaking that requires the efforts of our full community. Additional working groups will be formed and members added as this work progresses; interested faculty and professional staff are welcome to continue to self-nominate to serve on a working group using this form.

Thank you for your continued engagement in shaping our University's future.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Jensen, PhD
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost