End of semester remarks

APR 29, 2011

As the Spring 2011 semester draws to a close, we are pleased by Pace’s progress including major efforts in advancing teaching, learning, and academic support services as showcased in the first issues of a new joint publication Academic Excellence & Leadership Development. In addition to improved financial outlook, we also share with the University community continued challenges to our academic undertaking. Another progress report is due November 1, 2011, to the Middle States to document full implementation of several measures including the use of assessment evidence that is linked to strategic plans and goals and a fully approved faculty handbook that codifies faculty participation in governance. As a doctoral/research university (DRU), Pace not only needs to maintain quality production of at least 20 research doctorates each academic year (in addition to First professional and Professional doctoral degrees) but also a high level of research activity across the University including R&D expenditures and research staffing. We are proud of teaching and learning excellence and our academic rigor needs to be more widely recognized and appreciated by students and others as the hallmark of a Pace education. We have varied results in graduate program rankings and need to find out ways to keep improving. Raising Pace’s academic standards and reputation is crucial to the University’s future success, and various rating systems (from US News Best Colleges to National Research Council’s ratings of doctoral programs) need to be considered in our institutional measures and strategic planning, in addition to such outcomes as the NSSE results. Pace as a national university must also strive to excel internationally in a global economy, including a potential China project which will require pulling and utilizing our unique resources in this area. Innovation is the answer to developing academic programs of the highest quality, while faculty leadership is the key to revitalizing our academic community.