During the State of the University address, President Johnson announced the introduction of our Innovation Investment Initiative—a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at enhancing two critical areas of our academic landscape. This initiative invites proposals focused on innovative strategies in Teaching and Learning, particularly in relation to AI, and Student Attraction and Recruitment, specifically targeting improvements in matriculation, persistence, completion, and career success, with an emphasis on our Focus Plus programs. Projects are expected to interface with key campus entities like the Institute for Teaching and Learning, Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Retention and Completion Plan. Successful initiatives will span one academic year, with a total funding pool of $60,000 available for two to four awards. Through this initiative, we aim to drive forward-thinking solutions that will significantly impact our students' academic and career trajectories.
The Innovation Investment Initiative provides an opportunity through interdisciplinary collaboration to explore, assess, or implement innovative strategies associated with two areas
- Teaching and Learning with a connection in some fashion to AI
- It is anticipated the proposed work will have an interface with the Institute for Teaching and Learning in some fashion (possible collaborator)
- Student attraction/recruitment to the academic program(s) directly connected to matriculation, persistence, completion, and/or career success, considering the Focus Plus programs.
- Depending on what is proposed, it is anticipated the proposed work will have alignment with the appropriate office (Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Success) and/or the YSU Retention and Completion Plan (attached)
PROJECT SCOPE
Timeline: Project completion across one academic year
Parameters: Funding may not be used for release time
Deadline for submission: November 1, 2024
Submission: Limited to 6 pages containing: Executive Summary; Context Statement; Purpose of the proposed activity(ies); Involved faculty/program/offices with a brief indication of respective roles; Outline of activities; Timeline; Success Measure(s)
Agreement to participate: Signature page indicating willingness to participate in the proposed initiative(s)
Review: The Office of Academic Affairs will review submissions including consultation as deemed necessary to make the most informed decision
Award amounts and criteria: $60,000 available for no single award greater than $30,000 with typical awards being $15,000.
Number of awards: Two to Four
Success measure: Adoption of materials/information into YSU coursework or use by ITL for professional development. Measurable influence on a specified parameter across the student attraction to career continuum and/or identified direct linkage to measures that eliminate the Focus Plus designation.