Mikaela Johnson, Student Government president, symbolizes the expanded commitment to an engaged student experience.
“The only thing that works harder than a Husky is a pack of Huskies,” Ashish Vaidya told employees at the Convocation address Aug. 17 in Ritsche Auditorium.
Part of a light-hearted conclusion to the interim president’s speech, the remark captures the essence of St. Cloud State’s response to higher education challenges.
Interim President Ashish Vaidya and his wife, Nita.
“It is our people and our ability to work together as a team that is going to set us apart, and that will be the difference between what everyone else says they do, and what we actually do,” he said.
Strategic Plan
Vaidya said the University is not changing, as much as it is doubling-down on its core mission. He praised a proposed update to the strategic plan, which focuses on three themes: Engaged Students, Engaged Communities and Engaged Campus.
Using the campus and area communities as laboratories is one of many ways St. Cloud State is doubling-down. Vaidya asked the audience: “Are the range of programs we offer meeting the needs of the region and our business, industry and non-profit partners?”
He challenged employees to be more responsive, more accountable. “Value will be the new virtue,” Vaidya said.
Husky Compact
Finance majors from Nankai University Binhai College gather in front of Lawrence Hall following the Aug. 17 Convocation address.
Our Husky Compact is the commitment to an education that prepares global citizens of the 21st Century. It is detailed in six dimensions.
During the 2016-17 academic year, students and employees will focus on the Engage as a Member of a Diverse and Multicultural World dimension.
One way multicultural engagement will occur is through the 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Finance Program. The first cohort of about 60 students from Nankai University Binhai College in China has arrived. Learn more.
Our domestic students and other international students will learn from the Binhai students about one of the world’s oldest and most powerful nations. The program is cultural exchange, writ large.
Vaidya asked his audience: “What does it mean to be an engaged university?”
A response from recent campus survey provided an answer: “An engaged institution is one that is committed to the success of students, employees and the community. Success is achieved when students, employees and the community understand the value that St. Cloud State brings to their lives.”
Re-Imagining the First Year
Engagement with first-year students will be critical, Vaidya said.
St. Cloud State is among 44 schools participating in Re-Imagining the First Year, an American Association of State Colleges and Universities initiative to improve the quality of learning and student experience in the first year. The initiative also seeks to improve retention rates, especially for low-income, first-generation and students of color.
The University’s new welcome-and-orientation program, now in its second year, is addressing first-year student challenges. Called Huskies First Four, it greatly expanded orientation and is, among other things, increasing the number of students served by professional advisers.
In his remarks, Vaidya talked the talk and walked the walk. He launched his @PrezVaidya Twitter feed and pledged to engage with students and stakeholders.
“I hope you will follow and take advantage of the opportunity to connect and share messages of the great work being done at St. Cloud State on social media.”
