Kansas State University

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MISSION STATEMENT

Kansas State University’s College of Technology and Aviation is nationally known for its quality educational programs, faculty expertise, laboratory and learning environments, and outstanding graduates. The College must continue to adapt to meet changing needs, continue to develop and implement creative learning environments, to emphasize undergraduate education and life-long learning, and to instill in graduates a sound ethical and technological base on which productive careers can be established in order to meet the needs of the 21st century.

VISION | MISSION | GOALS | COLLEGE LEVEL ACTION PLANS

VISION
The K-State Salina campus is a seamless member of Kansas State University as a recognized state and national resource. Our vision encapsulates many areas of growth, including:

1. Continuous expansion of academic opportunities for women and minorities seeking technology and aviation careers. Industrial cooperatives, internships, partnerships with existing institutions, such as Tuskegee University, and study abroad are examples of initiatives actively being pursued to expand academic opportunities and increase diversity.

2. Expansion of undergraduate involvement in professional societies, interdisciplinary team participation, national and international student competition, and significant work-based professional experience as a portion of each student's structured education. Curricular industrial advisory committee participation will ensure and monitor curricular review and revision coupled with expansion and growth of faculty and staff scholarly activities to ensure technical competence and maintain real life relevance.

3. Firm establishment of K-State Salina as an economic development and faculty expertise resource by cooperation, utilization of resources, and support of community, Salina Chamber of Commerce, Salina Airport Authority, and Kansas Department of Commerce industrial development.

4. Firm establishment of recognized excellence in the College’s technical areas will provide additional opportunities for the establishment of centers of excellence, such as the Certified Inspector Training. The College is currently recognized for its faculty / student / industry interaction and the application of technology to solve real time problems.

5. Expansion of opportunities for international experience to prepare graduates for careers in today’s global atmosphere.

6. Commitment to student learning in a safe and holistic learning environment that integrates the academic, social, physical, and mental aspects of their profession.

In short, our vision is the creation of an academic environment that not only supports success, but also encourages excellence.

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MISSION
Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution first serving students and the people of Kansas, and also the nation and the world. Since its founding in 1863, the University has evolved into a modern institution of higher education, committed to quality programs, and responsive to a rapidly changing world and the aspirations of an increasingly diverse society. Together with other major comprehensive universities, Kansas State shares responsibilities for developing human potential, expanding knowledge, enriching cultural expression, and extending its expertise to individuals, business, education, and government.

The Mission of the College of Technology and Aviation is to provide an environment that will provide quality educational opportunities that meet the needs of students and provide knowledge of lasting value to students, industry, the academic community, and society. K-State Salina is committed to focusing individual attention and resources to achieve the highest standards of excellence and to providing diverse opportunity for our students to excel in Engineering Technology and Aviation undergraduate education. We strive to prepare our graduates for successful life long careers and to provide leadership in the Engineering Technology and Aviation industries. Excellence in faculty and student performance related to teaching and service will be ensured through a continuous process of goal setting, establishment of priorities, review of progress toward goals, modification to meet changing needs, and evaluation of results.

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GOALS
Goals provide a mechanism to maintain focus. The College goals were developed and are continuously revised using an extensive process of input from faculty and staff. The focus encapsulated in these goals address three areas:

Faculty Enhancement
Student Life
Academic Excellence

Changing technology coupled with student growth and economic constraint places significant demands on the University educational system. Specific goals should never be viewed as a final destination; rather goals provide a focus on a continuous roadmap toward a vision. This multi-year process requires continued participation in the general work of the University, a focus by the College of Technology and Aviation on specific areas where the most significant progress can realized, and the timely addressing of problematic areas. College of Technology and Aviation goals include:

Firm establishment of an academic atmosphere that not only allows success, but encourages and rewards excellence. Progress toward this goal will be indicated by numerous factors including scholarly productivity of faculty, extramural and scholarship support, feedback from employers of graduates, and faculty/student participation with governmental and industrial representatives.

Firm maintenance of the tradition and history of communication, openness, and accessibility with all college employees, students, parents, and alumni. Progress towards this goal will be indicated by feedback from multiple sources including Kansas State University Administration, Board of Regents, community, development and advisory committee members, alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents.

Review and revision of evaluation, promotion and tenure processes to reflect the provisions of the University Handbook, including an emphasis on scholarship. Progress towards this goal will be indicated by the annual faculty evaluation and review process, during which each unit administrator will ensure that the criteria, policies and procedures are current, correctly followed and that the recommended financial rewards reflect evaluation results.

College enrollment will continue to increase. This enrollment increase will be a reflection of the effective recruitment of new students, increased student retention and a commitment to the Student Learning Atmosphere. Progress towards this goal will be reflected by the number of students enrolled, reduction of academic programmatic restrictions, increased effectiveness of the Academic Achievement Center, advising and retention efforts, and enhancement of student life programs for both on and off-campus students.

Curricular offerings will be continually revised and updated to reflect changes in technology, industry, and the needs of society. Recommendations from the Kansas Board of Regents, TAC of ABET, FAA, NCA and UAA academic program reviews will be considered and implemented. Progress toward this goal will be reflected by continual recognition as a quality higher education partner by potential students, parents, faculty, alumni, and other institutions. The College seeks recognition by professional organizations and industrial partners as an institution that continuously reviews, implements, and is responsive to needed academic changes.

Life Long Learning will be developed and facilitated. Technology linkages and facilities will be enhanced allowing College of Technology and Aviation students and others to participate in electronically linked coursework. Progress toward this goal will be reflected by the increase in availability of electronic coursework and the amount of faculty effort directed to technology and distance education.

Minority and women representation in K-State Salina faculty, staff and student populations will continue to increase. Academic programs offered at K-State Salina will reflect an emphasis on preparing graduates for careers in a diverse and global society. Progress toward this goal will be reflected in efforts to create cooperative programs that address areas of minority education, such as the Kansas Starbase program and the cooperative Aviation degree program with Tuskegee University, directed recruitment of minority faculty, staff, and students, and specialty programs of student life.

The College will maintain the historical record of 95+% placement of graduates. The K-State Salina Aviation Department will firmly establish its top-five reputation through program quality, student professionalism and accomplishments, and outstanding graduate reputation. The K-State Salina Department of Technology will be recognized within local and state industry as a source for quality, knowledgeable graduates and as a source of faculty expertise to assist in achieving practical solutions to real problems. Progress towards this goal will be indicated by potential student interest, employers’ visits, number and quality of employment offers received by individual graduates, surveys of recent graduates, and faculty opportunities within industry to practice their profession and experience innovative technology.

Facility needs will continue to be systematically addressed. Remodeling and maintenance of existing buildings will be prioritized and completed within financial constraints. Groundbreaking for a new Student Life Center designed to address the physical, mental, social, and academic needs of students will be completed within five years. Increases in space utilization, reduction in backlog maintenance, and modernization of older but useful space within the constraints of fiscal resources will reflect progress toward this goal.

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COLLEGE LEVEL ACTION PLANS
It is relatively simple to address existing needs and plan for the future in a favorable economic environment. It is much more difficult to change habits or to think outside-the-box in an effort to address existing needs or plan for the future in an environment of shrinking fiscal resources. The future is not an autonomous state, rather one that we must create through choices and adjustments to meet changing needs. This is a time for consolidating the best of our past and present, while keeping a focus on the challenges of the future.

As we progress into this century, academic programs at K-State Salina must be consistent with advancing technology and meet the general needs of society. Entering students must be assured that the education that they receive is relevant and that it will provide a solid base for a life long career. Students prepared to effectively communicate and apply technology-based solutions are vital to meeting the needs of a global workplace. Faculty, actively participating in shared governance, must continue to accept the challenges of the ever-shifting paradigm of higher education. Alumni and industrial partners must continue to play an active role in enhancing and strengthening curricular offerings and providing the financial support necessary for excellence. Engineering and Aviation Technology provided by K-State Salina will continue to address rapidly growing areas of need for the region, the State, the Nation and the world.

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