Leading by Example

Northern Kentucky University has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to advancing the goals of Vision 2015. That support has taken many forms.

During fall semester 2005, NKU created the SHAPE (Strategically Helping Align for Public Engagement) Committee to assess how well the university was aligned internally to support regional stewardship. Faculty members and administrators on the committee met almost weekly throughout the 2005-06 academic year to develop strategies for enhancing alignment, identify priorities and establish a timeline for implementing strategies. As a result of that exercise, NKU has made tremendous strides in establishing the organizational structures, personnel, information systems, and community relationships necessary to support regional stewardship activities.

Last summer the university submitted a proposal, which the Council on Postsecondary Education approved, requesting $200,000 in Regional Stewardship Program funds “to build intellectual capacity in three targeted impact areas: (a) early childhood education, (b) informatics, and (c) public health and health education,” all of which are critical to achieving Vision 2015 goals related to educational excellence, economic competitiveness and livable communities.

NKU will use the funds to hire two new faculty in early childhood education, two new faculty in informatics, and one new faculty member in public health and health education. The faculty members will devote half their time to teaching, supported with existing university funds, and half their time to public engagement work, supported with Regional Stewardship Program funds.

In their commitment to incorporate regional priorities into future planning processes and use it as a consideration for building capacity , NKU officials are using the Vision 2015 report as it was intended: as a living document and a roadmap for the future. The Executive Committee of the Vision 2015 Regional Stewardship Council serves as an advisory board to oversee this NKU initiative.