In addition to using strategic planning as a tool for continuous improvement, the university in 2011 launched a yearlong community wide examination of its core values to determine if they were aligned with its institutional mission and vision. It focused on diversity, spiritual life, community engagement and ethics, to name just a few issues, and resulted in three updated values statements centered around fostering personal growth, global citizenship and intellectual development in Stetson’ s students.
“ Focusing on our core values, we have created a welcoming and inclusive university, where students can pursue a course of study knowing that faculty and administration are dedicated to their development and their future,” said President Wendy B. Libby.“ We fully expect that our students will make great contributions to their communities and the world after they leave Stetson, and every year they have met that expectation.”
Just as sustainability in business is not always a smooth road, so is the journey toward excellence in higher education. On Volusia’ s eastside, Bethune-Cookman University has held tight to the vision of its founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, despite some recent imbroglios along the way for the 113-year-old institution.
BCU recently realigned its strategic priorities as it sorts through internal setbacks the school’ s interim president, Dr. Hubert L. Grimes, has suggested caused BCU to“ fall short of the spirit of excellence that Dr. Bethune so proudly brought to this institution.”
“ But today is a new day. And today marks a new start,” he notes in the university’ s revised strategic plan.“ Our challenge as an institution is to make this plan a living, breathing document to ensure that we become the university we want to be in 2018. To that end, the strategic plan is a starting point in an ongoing process of change, adaptation, and continuous improvement.”
BCU plays a unique historical and cultural role in Daytona Beach’ s midtown area and the local economy. In its revised strategic plan, the university is striving to“ further reinvent itself in a new and rapidly changing world,” and has committed to improving core processes, balancing costs and maximizing its academic resources.
Perhaps there is no better institution of higher learning where continuous improvement and technological advancement are more critical to remaining relevant and sustainable than at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. What started as a simple plan to train pilots and cash in on a booming post-World
INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT
REACHING FOR THE SKY FROM UNDER THE SEA
Mike Read President, Teledyne Marine
Teledyne Marine is a global leader in under sea products, systems and technology. Its leaders serve demanding global markets from their headquarters here in Volusia County. When other high technology companies are considering a move to Volusia County, Mike Read and his colleagues can testify to the fact that this is an exceptional community from which to do business and enjoy an enviable quality of life. Attracting new companies in select industries makes our strong economy stronger, while generating jobs and capital investment. That’ s why Teledyne Marine invests in Team Volusia.
TeamVolusiaEDC. com 386.265.6332
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