SPARC II Current Implementation Activities

August 2012

SPARC grant recipients were featured in a convocation video and reports posted on the website.
SPARC report to the president will be posted upon approval by President’s Cabinet.

SPARC workshop included reports from vice presidents regarding progress toward strategic priorities.
SPARC grant recipients provided reports on their programs, which would be shared with faculty and staff during fall convocation.
Recommendations for ongoing membership and monitoring activities were developed.

SPARC II met to discuss a May workshop for reports on progress toward the strategic plan from Vice Presidents as well as reports on activities among grant recipients.

Monitoring team activities completed for fall semester. Dr. Bob Gregerson was selected to replace Anne Thompson as SPARC II co-chair.
One SPARC grant application was referred back to the SPARC II committee for review, as USG funding, previously thought to be available to pay for this initiative, is not. The grant will be reviewed in January 2012.

SPARC II monitoring teams met with small groups and drafted reports, which will be reviewed in early 2012.
The SPARC grant led by Dr. John Hobe, “Enhancing Education for Teens Through Literacy,” was selected for funding.
Mid-term reports were received from the first round of SPARC grants; all were within budget and demonstrated progress with activities and goals.

A second round of SPARC grants was announced to the campus, with eight submissions. SPARC II members also met and divided into monitoring teams to meet with small groups of students as part of the first phase of assessing implementation of the strategic plan.

President Bleicken outlined the status of strategic plan implementation and current activities and successes at Fall Convocation

SPARC II notified grant recipients of award and next steps to execute proposals.

SPARC II met in early June to review and discuss all submitted grant proposals. Selection results include:
Two proposals selected for full SPARC II funding
Two proposals were redirected from SPARC II grant process and funded under Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, respectively
Three proposals were sent back to the authors for adjustments and resubmission

SPARC II announced the rollout of SPARC Grants for 2011-2012. The call for proposals focused on funding initiatives that support the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Strategic Plan. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects that will enhance Armstrong’s commitment to student success. The Armstrong community submitted 19 proposals in response to the call.
SPARC II interview teams met with Student Affairs, Business and Finance, Academic Affairs, and Advancement to gauge efforts by each division in implementing the Strategic Plan. Reports from the division interviews can be downloaded using the links at right.

Two-day Campus Leadership Workshops, led by Dr. Madeline Adler, were held with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Business and Finance, and Advancement to facilitate a campus dialogue as to how to implement the Strategic Plan and the roles each division should play to help move the plan forward.
SPARC II, led by Dr. Madeline Adler, met to prepare for discussing the plan with campus constituents and developing a process for reporting progress toward goals.

President Bleicken appointed SPARC II and charged the team with the responsibility of monitoring and tracking progress toward accomplishment of the strategic goals.

The plan was presented to President’s Cabinet.
President Bleicken presented a draft of the plan to faculty, staff and students during Spring Convocation.
Throughout the month, Dr. Bleicken also presented the draft to the Foundation Board, Alumni Board, Faculty Senate, Staff Advisory Council, Student Government Association and other external stakeholders.