Belong and Thrive
Wittenberg must be ready for today’s students, helping them experience a robust and vibrant student experience, and grow within a community of connection. Toward the end, the following initiatives have been achieved so far:
- Re-energizing community engagement: In 2022, Wittenberg kicked off an annual campus theme, starting with the “Year of the Tigers,” a rallying cry to help students, faculty, and staff explore, engage, and connect more. Related initiatives included launching Tiger Up Tuesdays, investing in a pep band, a spirit club, and club cheerleading, and expanding programming for the mascot, Ezry the Tiger. A new theme for 2023-24 has been developed as well: Tigers Thrive Together.
- Developing more focused retention strategies: Wittenberg launched a new success advisor initiative to support all incoming students. Success advisors will personally help our newest Tigers navigate their college experience and further their career development. To read more about this effort, see press release and visit the success advisor website.
- Creating a diverse community of connection: DEI staff liaisons are being considered, as are policies and initiatives focused around DEI in the classroom and beyond, including syllabi and content audits for diversity. Joi Garrett Scales has also been tapped to help Wittenberg build a community of connection in her new role as assistant dean for diversity, inclusion and belonging, and as director of the William A. McClain Center for Diversity.
- Being ready for today’s learner: In addition to new pedagogies being developed, faculty development will continue to support and offer training related to the post-COVID learner.
Engage and Excel
Every experience encapsulated within students’ time at Wittenberg—from their academic program, to internships and study away, to the infrastructure of the University itself—has a vital role in helping students develop and grow. Toward the end, the following initiatives have been achieved so far:
- Investing in Infrastructure for enhanced living and learning: In addition to ongoing update/upgrades to ensure a more inviting space on the first floor of Shouvlin, a conceptual space needs’ sketch is nearing completion for a Career & Professional Development/COMPASS expansion. Outdoor shelter areas area also being considered in partnership with Student Senate this fall.
- Expanding experiential learning: This past year, a new mock trial/pre-law program advisor was hired, and a search for a multi-media advisor for the Torch, the student-run newspaper, and WUSO, the student-run radio station is underway. Additionally, Rachel Wilson is now serving as director of partnerships and outreach for the Department of Business and Economics. New certificate programs are being discussed, including in health humanities, as well.
Compete and Win
Our motto—having light we pass it on to others—requires that we share our good work with prospective students whose lives can be changed by a Wittenberg education. We must also invest in the faculty and staff who deliver on our promise each day. The charge of developing our students must be shared with strategic partners who can extend the powerful work of helping our students thrive after graduation. Toward the end, the following initiatives have been achieved so far:
- Leverage key differentiators: To help facilitate opportunities and establish a pipeline to attract future students, several athletic summer camps have been hosted this summer for K-12 students. The first-ever Champion City Write Now program was successfully launched for area youth to explore and learn best practices for writing across multiple genres.
- Establishing new or expanded programs: A presentation on Esports has been shared at senior staff as a possible option for consideration. Through Wittenberg’s continued partnership with Rize Education, the Education Policy Committee also has before it a program in Public Administration. If approved, this program would be the fifth new offering to come online in the last two years. Current Rize partnership programs launched in last 1-2 years include: neuroscience, supply chain management, project management, and public health.