By the Numbers: Aim 2: Advance the field by bridging research and practice in our graduate programs

Aim 2: Advance the field by bridging research and practice in our graduate programs

Summary of Activities

In 2022-2023, the college made progress on building a curriculum that will support our aim of bridging research and practice in our graduate program. Our Ph.D. proposal, first drafted in 2021-2022, received feedback from an external market research firm that indicates that our proposal is sound and will provide a needed service in the marketplace. The Office of Graduate Studies also provided feedback that the associate dean for academic programs incorporated into the proposal.

The college also obtained approval from the University to launch two 4+1 programs that will allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years. Final university approval was obtained in the spring of 2023, and students can begin enrolling in the program in the fall of 2023.

The college faculty approved a new graduate sports media and communication certificate in the spring of 2023. The proposal was developed with input from faculty teaching in the sports media and communications major. The proposal was submitted to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for consideration at the university level.

The associate dean for graduate programs, working with the administrative associate and the graduate adviser, developed informal concentrations of courses to support student learning. While the concentrations are not formal programs students can enroll in, they will guide student advising and support the development of course rotations.

The graduate program team also drafted a new Canvas course to provide online students with advice and guidance on navigating the program. The course includes an overview of the program and major milestones throughout the program, along with forms and resources to support student progress. The draft will be reviewed by the graduate committee and implemented in fall 2023.

The college continued administering the graduate student exit survey, first launched in the spring of 2022. The graduate committee will use the survey results to identify areas for improvement in the program.

The college did not increase the number of graduate assistants or the number of assistants dedicated to research support. The number of graduate assistants fell from 12 in 2021-2022 to 9 in 2022-2023. The decline was the result of decreased funding available to support graduate assistants. However, the college has launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign to increase the number of endowed professorships in the college supporting graduate assistants.

Review of the Targets

The college’s overall graduate enrollment declined significantly between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. In the fall of 2022, the college conducted a thorough review of the college’s enrollment and retention of students. Following that assessment, the college engaged a student-run advertising agency, Jacht, to develop a digital advertising campaign to promote the graduate program. The college implemented an organic campaign on Facebook and Instagram in the spring of 2023 and piloted a paid advertising campaign in the summer of 2023.

The college’s graduate course offerings also declined due to the need to serve fewer students.

As noted above, the college decreased the number of graduate assistants due to funding limitations. The Comprehensive fundraising campaign, launched in November 2022, aims to raise $5 million to support professorships providing graduate assistants to faculty.

The college did increase the proportion of faculty who have completed the Summer Institute for online teaching. Additionally, the program was offered again in the summer of 2023, and the college heavily promoted this professional development opportunity to faculty. To engage all faculty in teaching development, monthly trainings with Instructional Designer Amy Ort were add to the all-college meetings. 

Progress on Strategies

Several strategies targeted for progress during the 2022-2023 academic year remain uninitiated. In coordination with other college standing committees, the strategic planning committee will add these for discussion this year.