Focusing on the Program Portfolio
A Holistic Review of Academic Offerings through the Lenses of Effectiveness, Innovation, and Design
Most universities and their colleges share the same core priorities—financial sustainability, enrollment growth, research output, and student success among them—but few are successful in aligning program structures, growth strategies, incentives, and evaluation with those priorities. The metrics we use as deans and academic administrators (such as six-year graduation rates) are often both imprecise and lagging, making it difficult for department chairs to understand the role their faculty play in advancing a university’s strategic efforts.
From faculty hiring to curriculum development to promotion and tenure, deans and department chairs make or influence myriad decisions that impact the viability of their programs, and therefore, the strategic priorities of their colleges and universities.
Join EAB expert David Attis in this three-part series designed to help university deans conduct a holistic analysis of the program portfolio to develop new strategies for long-term success.
Part I: Effectiveness — Making the Most of Your Resources to Meet Student Needs
In an ever-changing environment, it is easy to overlook the basic hygiene necessary to ensure good stewardship of academic and administrative resources. This session explores the infrastructure necessary for a sustainable program assessment process.
Topics covered include:
- Identifying academic program value drivers
- Determining departmental goals and metrics
- Collecting accurate and appropriate data
- Gathering faculty input on designing assessment process
Part II: Innovation—Understanding Academic Growth Strategies
Plans to expand the program portfolio vary by institution and discipline, yet often succumb to a similar set of failures. In this session, learn about the opportunities and roadblocks inherent to new program launch, and how the revitalization or expansion of existing programs can also serve as a growth lever.
Topics covered include:
- Hallmarks of promising new program opportunities
- Hidden stumbling blocks of program expansion
- Analysis of the competitive landscape
Part III: Design —The Risks and Rewards of Reimagining Academic Structures
Even as academic disciplines have evolved to address student interest in multidisciplinary programs, and funding for cross-disciplinary research that addresses real-world challenges has increased, the organizational structures in which programs are housed have typically remained static.
This session explores:
- How new academic structures can attract students, incent interdisciplinary teaching and research, and reduce administrative overhead
- How budget models support or hinder efforts to improve collaboration across academic units
- How to engage faculty in planning discussions
Sessions
To complete your registration, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Attendance is best suited for College Deans, Associate/Assistant Deans in Charge of Academic Affairs/Programs, or Dean’s Chief of Staff.
- Monday, January 13, 2025 | 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Monday, February 10, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Monday, March 17, 2025 | 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
