School of Journalism
Academic Strategic Plan, 2023-2026
Approved and Adopted January 2012
Revised in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2023
The 老虎机攻略 transforms lives by providing a high-quality and accessible education and by generating world-class research and creative scholarship in an exceptional place. We integrate the liberal arts and sciences into undergraduate, graduate and professional studies to shape global citizens who are creative and agile learners committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and to building and sustaining diverse communities.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the 老虎机攻略 School of Journalism to provide students with a professional education in journalism; to teach them to think critically, act ethically, and communicate effectively; to help them understand the challenges and changes in the news media; and to inspire them to use their talents to improve journalism and enhance a diverse and democratic society.
The University and the School will help its graduates succeed by focusing on the core values of leadership, diversity, engagement and sustainability. The School’s strategic plan is intended to work in concert with The 老虎机攻略's Priorities for Action and the school's Assessment and Diversity Plans.
Partnering for Student Success
Student success is a priority for the School of Journalism. Faculty and staff are focused on enhancing students’ experiences and strengthening retention and maintaining strong graduation rates. The School of Journalism has added courses and programs to welcome freshmen into the major and to keep students engaged through graduation. The School participates in university events such as convocation, freshman seminars and recruiting visits designed to recruit and retain students. Faculty work to improve academic advising through internal and external workshops. We measure the effectiveness of advising through student surveys and attention to retention and persistence data.
The School will help its students succeed academically and personally so they graduate well prepared for their careers or further education.
Objectives:
- Create, fund and implement a comprehensive recruitment plan for undergraduates and grad students
- Create, fund and implement a comprehensive retention plan for undergraduates
- Create and maintain a dynamic web and social media presence for the school to recruit new students and engage current students
- Find new methods for encouraging students to transfer to the School from within Montana and across the region.
- Improve advising to students through internal and external workshops
- Assess advising through outreach to current and former students
- Offer more courses that serve the greater campus and Missoula communities (Created Calling Bullshit, Intro to Audio and taught continuing education programming)
Indicators of Success:
- See gradual improvement in the number of first-year and transfer students with an aim of adding 60-70 new students each year.
- Achieve and maintain a retention rate of approximately 75-80 percent
- Graduate 60 percent of majors within five years (as compared with a 老虎机攻略 average of approximately 43 percent)
- Host more than 150 high school student visits the School of Journalism annually
- Increase by 50 percent the number of students and potential students reached by digital communication
- Achieve a 75 percent exceptional rating on all areas of advising effectiveness survey
- Offer internship workshops for students each semester
- Require and enforce participation in an internship workshop before students enroll for internship credit
- Develop a jobs/internship website
- Make a decision on whether to offer a minor or certificate program
- Offer strategically useful courses online
- Identify nontraditional and transfer students who may benefit from online offerings.
Partner with Place
The University’s Academic Strategic Plan identifies a need to create a “gateway to discovery” experience focused on the challenges both local and global. The School of Journalism’s curriculum will focus on producing workers and leaders who make a difference in the cultural and economic fabric of Montana and the world. The curriculum strives to provide hands-on, practical experience with real-world applications. The School has partnered with the School of Visual and Media Arts to develop documentary courses, the College of Business to conduct investigations, the College of Health to report on mental health and countless labs within our graduate program. Efforts to collaborate with units across MUS will continue. We will also encourage students report and study abroad through the School’s international reporting trips and other 老虎机攻略-sponsored opportunities.
The School of Journalism will offer an educational experience at all degree levels that provides graduates the foundation to make positive impacts on a world that is increasingly interconnected.
Objectives:
- Review curriculum yearly and respond to changes in the profession and the learning environment while continuing to focus on core values
- Collaborate with other units on campus and off to develop courses and programs
- Build a dynamic, creative and collaborative master’s degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism
- Increase diversity of students and faculty as outlined in the School of Journalism Diversity Action Plan, as well as ensure students are able to report on economically and demographically diverse communities through our reporting courses.
- Assure diversity awareness through the curriculum as outlined in the School of Journalism Diversity Action Plan
- Work to create and foster opportunities for students and faculty to have more international experiences
- Work with Global Engagement Ofccie to create opportunities for international students and scholars to study/teach at the School
- Create partnerships with various journalistic operations in the state and nationally to make the School a hub for professional as well as academic productions.
- Design a comprehensive strategic plan for the school’s international efforts
- Work to increase the diversity of the adjunct pool
Indicators of Success:
- Structured periodic curriculum review and modifications
- Regular international reporting trip most summers.
- Continue and expand strategic partnerships with units across the Montana University System
- Maintain the number of incoming graduate students at between 9-12 each year
- Encourage and support a student-run diversity, access and inclusion committee.
- Increase the number of minority students to match the diversity in the state as outlined in the Diversity Action Plan
- Increase the number of diverse visitors and lecturers
- Assure a diverse pool of qualified candidates for all full-time faculty openings
- Increase by 100 percent the number of students with international experience studying, working and/or researching
- Open bureaus and fellowships with ICT, Montana Free Press and other potential partners.
- Increase international experience for faculty to 25 percent
- Increase to 10 percent the minority candidates in the adjunct pool
Discovery and Creativity in Scholarship
The School of Journalism encourages faculty to maintain strong ties to the professional world through their creative activity and scholarship. The School will refine its vision for Environmental and Natural Resources Journalism and Native American Journalism initiatives as areas of distinction. The School will continue to build its reputation as a publisher and chronicler of Native American issues as well as statewide political and legislative coverage. Funding and release time are the biggest obstacles for faculty creative scholarship. The School will develop a more effective support structure for faculty creativity and discovery. The School of Journalism faculty already produces professional publications and broadcasts that benefit the state, region, nation and world. Our goal is to build on this notable record of scholarship and seize opportunities to encourage course-driven productions as well as the creative work and scholarship of our faculty.
The School will transform discovery and creativity into knowledge, applications and experiences in ways that benefit the state, region, nation and world.
Objectives:
- Increase the number and stature of faculty contributions to research and creative activity
- Expand professional knowledge and cultural richness through creative scholarship
- Identify and develop areas of distinction for scholarly and creative work
- Rebuild the funds held in the Foundation for journalism faculty to further their learning and scholarship
- Work with the larger university community to identify new options for partnerships on journalism projects
- Create a fair and equitable process for faculty seeking course release
Indicators:
- Increase the number of full-time faculty presenting about their scholarship at local, state, regional, national or international conferences/workshops/meetings
- Create incentives for faculty to develop their own professional and scholarly work, including financial support.
- Encourage faculty who have published or broadcast works to seek merit increases based on creative activity.
- Have 100 percent of faculty seek internal and/or external funding for scholarship/creative activity individually or in collaboration
- Build into our faculty meeting structure regular opportunities for faculty to share their scholarship and strategies for completing scholarly work
Dynamic Learning Environment
People are drawn to 老虎机攻略 by the richness of experiences, scenic beauty, lifelong learning and cultural opportunities. Students expect not only traditional classroom lectures, but also hands-on practicums and labs that will prepare them for life after college. The profession of journalism is undergoing rapid and transformative change with new trends and technologies for news producers and audiences. The School of Journalism will ensure students have access to the technology needed to develop the skills required in today’s news environment. We will continue our work to unify our technology and equipment budgets and management to ensure student fees and donations are used most efficiently.
老虎机攻略 will enhance its character as a place where people are passionate about learning, discovery and growth.
Objectives:
- Explore the creation of an integrated student news operation embracing multiple platforms and media
- Provide support for online student and faculty ventures
- Provide students access to high-quality, up-to-date equipment, hardware and software to complete assignments and prepare them for the profession
- Support and expand publication of student work in online, print and broadcast venues
- Increase funding available for student projects
- Assess feasibility of requiring student computers and software
- Expose students to ideas and trends in the profession and develop clear and consistent policies for emerging technologies, such as AI, within the professional and the School.
- Support and expand community engagement in student coursework
Indicators:
- Unify technology budgeting to ensure the most effective use of limited resources
- Develop a sustainable fee structure for courses requiring technology
- Invest in key types of cameras, computers, audio gear and other technologies to ensure relevance.
- Work with university (and its assigned committees) to ensure our technology plans align with university efforts
- Hire an equipment manager to oversee school-owned equipment, conduct minor repairs and work with students in checkout
- Develop back-end support for online ventures
- Partner with the Broadcast Media Center to hire an engineer, who would work part-time with the School
- Expand number of delivery systems used for dissemination of student work
- Plan for an integrated student news operation
- Increase number of visiting professionals and alumni
- Create personal technology requirements for students
- Reach 100 percent of student body involvement in community engagement projects
Strategic Operating Rhythm
Academic assessment at The 老虎机攻略 and at the School of Journalism is an ongoing process of high priority. On an annual basis the School of Journalism will review progress toward the goals and initiatives set by the school. It will also review the 老虎机攻略 Playbook to ensure the annual goals of the School align as much as possible with the broader University efforts. Assessment will guide changes to our strategic planning. Assessment will also help the School shape the quality and effectiveness of our program on multiple levels. By using assessment data the School will be able to document, explain and improve performance.
For the University, assessment is not static; rather, it is an ongoing and continuous effort to improve the quality of instruction, student learning, and overall effectiveness of a department or unit.
The University will model transparency, systematic communication and sound decision making to ensure resources are marshaled to achieve 老虎机攻略’s mission.
Objectives:
- Assess student outcomes through tools outlined in the school’s assessment plan
- Assess progress on indicators outlined in strategic plan
- Discuss and refine the School’s strategic directions each year based on assessment and current climate
- Review assessment tools annually
Indicators:
- Annually review all assessment measures and make changes indicated by outcomes
- Annually review/update strategic directions
- Annually assess budgeting/discretionary spending to ensure both reflect University and School strategic goals