As a part of the strategic planning process, President Bloodworth normally schedules several meetings of a large advisory body, called PAC – the President’s Advisory Council. Comprised of department heads, senior administrators, members of the Faculty Policies Committee, Staff Council, Student Government Association, and others, the body provides at-large, cross-campus representation and input. This summer, however, PAC has taken a new focus with the president using the meetings as opportunities to further the broad-based knowledge of the university, its operation, and programs.

The first meetings focused on funding and key performance measures, and the programs were presented by Dr. Samuel Sullivan, vice president for academic affairs; Mr. Dan Whitfield, vice president for business operations; and Ms. Helen Hendee, vice president for development and alumni affairs.

Following the discussions on fiscal topics, Dr. Joyce Jones, vice president for student affairs, discussed a new program to strengthen student success and aid retention, the First Year Experience, for students at University Village. Dr. Peggy Ruth Geren, associate dean of the College of Education, gave a presentation on the challenges faced in preparing a larger share of teachers, and Ms. Willene Holmes, director of financial aid, presented a program on the financial aid and the general financial situation of our students

Dr. Lillie Johnson, chair of English and Foreign Languages, and colleagues Tim Sadderwasser, Michelle Cook, Wes Kisting, and Christine Heck talked about the department’s efforts and strategies in the teaching and learning of English composition, while at the same time dispelling the “urban myth” associated with the difficulty of the program.

Dr. Ray Whiting, special assistant to the president, talked about reaffirmation efforts for SACS accreditation and the proposed development of a quality enhancement plan. Dr. Robert Parham, dean of the Pamplin College, organized a panel of researchers to discuss student research, which included Dr. Debbi van Tuyll, communications and professional writing, Dr. Quentin Davis, psychology, and Drs. Andy Hauger and Chad Stevens from chemistry and physics.

Mr. Clint Bryant presented a program on the success of student athletes, and Dr. Sam Robinson, chair of mathematics and computer science, spoke about mathematics learning and its importance to the academic success of students.

Ms. Julie Goley and colleagues in the Career Center, Melissa Hudson, Melissa Zeigler, Amber Zimmerman, and Patricia Hyatt, spoke about developing a discipline-based career advising program in collaboration with academic departments as part of our overall effort to increase student academic success and retention.

As a final program, Ms. Kathy Schofe and Ms. Heather Hopkins, public relations and publications, discussed the ways that social media is being used to enhance visibility of the university. Dr. Bloodworth spent the remainder of the program for an open discussion of ways to improve the academic experience and success of our students.

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