Rao says Six-Year Plan “in take-off mode”: University to focus on student graduation, hiring faculty
“Our focus is, and our commitment is, increasing our graduates and we need to do it in a more timely manner,” VCU president Dr. Michael Rao said.
In addition to Rao's remarks, four faculty members were honored for their scholarship, service and teaching. From left: Michael Hess, Robert G. Davis, Edward J.N. Ishac and M. Sammy El-Shall. Photo courtesy of VCU News Center.
Alyx Duckett
Contributing Writer
During the 29th–annual Convocation ceremony Thursday, VCU president Dr. Michael Rao addressed his six-year strategic plan for the university.
The plan, “Quest for Distinction,” is composed of goals that will maintain VCU’s achievements and build off of them.
“We have a sharp, unambiguous commitment to academic quality and to student success, and I’m talking about at every level,” Rao said during his State of the University speech.
Rao listed things to consider with the vision plan, such as the university not being the biggest in the state or having the largest freshmen class.
“Our focus is, and our commitment is, increasing our graduates and we need to do it in a more timely manner,” he said.
Dr. Terry Oggel, chair of VCU’s English department, who was present at the ceremony, said it’s all about strategizing and figuring out the best way to position the university. Oggel said the message he came away with was VCU will be growing in quality and expanding its reputation.
“Expansion of students has stopped; it’s more of a sign that we’re not growing in size but trying to grow in quality,” Oggel said.
Also on the list of commitments Rao outlined is the retention of students. Currently they are in the process of developing living-learning residences such as Grace Street Village.
“Data shows over and over that we have a 20 percent or more chance of retaining students if we put them in our residences,” Rao explained.
Rao also touched on the eventual idea of using the Broad Street corridor to connect both Monroe Park and the MCV campus forming an hour glass-like shape.
Chemistry Graduate student Ahmed Hamid attended the ceremony and was pleased with hearing this particular part of the plan.
Hamid said he thought it was great hearing them talk about combining the campuses but also making more room for classroom space.
“I like his ambitions that he has,” Hamid said.
Although there is need for more classroom space, there is still a need for faculty. One of the last things Rao spoke about was the request for more faculties, which plays a huge key in fulfilling the six-year vision.
“I’m very appreciative of his recognition of trying to do more to increase faculty,” new faculty member Dr. Kelli Williams Gary said.
Gary, an assistant professor of occupational therapy, said she is grateful that he acknowledged the pivotal areas to work toward as a university.
Rao closed with an emphasis on the importance of academic quality at VCU.
“I ask you to fasten your seatbelts; we are in take-off mode,” Rao said. “We have the plan, we’re doing the work, we know where we’re going.”
