Initiative 2 . . . Continue to develop programs and activities to strengthen students ’ sense of belonging , starting with the First Year Experience and continuing throughout their Williamson journey .
Operational Task
• Continue to develop programs and activities to strengthen students ’ sense of belonging , starting with the First Year Experience and continuing throughout their Williamson journey .
Metrics
• A gap assessment of current cross-departmental student programming completed within the first 6-12 months .
• Three new or enhanced student programs implemented within the first three years .
Initiative 3 . . . Explore and expand opportunities to help students appreciate the value of a Williamson education and scholarship across all functional elements of the college .
Operational Task
• Develop a cross functional committee , comprised of faculty , staff , alumni , and students to explore , assess , and develop potential strategies and messaging to include the college ’ s advantage in cost of attendance , graduation rate , and career opportunities .
Metrics
• Increase in the college ’ s student retention rate ( Note the Institutional retention rate goal during the 2021- 2026 Strategic Plan is 85 %).
• Through multiple surveys ( e . g ., annual leadership program survey , exit surveys , etc .) students self-report that the opportunities implemented by the committee had a positive impact on their decision to remain at Williamson .
Objective 2 : Expand Financial Aid Opportunities
Initiative 1 . . . Enhance student financial aid support through expansion of the college ’ s Student Scholar ( financially sponsored scholarship ) program .
Operational Task
• Develop a strategy to enhance student financial aid support .
Metric
• Endowed Student Scholar program expanded by 30 % within the first four years .
Initiative 2 . . . Expand the college ’ s access to grant funding from both the public and private sector .
Operational Task
• Create a formal process by which private and public grants are introduced and assessed as to their applicability and supportability to Williamson funding .
Metrics
• Cross-departmental grant process established within the first 12-18 months .
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