STRATEGIC PLAN: FACULTY AND STAFF
1. Build a culture of inclusivity, collegiality, respect, and appreciation for faculty and staff.
The COM needs to develop a culture that demonstrably:
- Values and empowers faculty and staff members
- Prioritizes finding solutions to problems they identify
Includes opportunities to engage in “safe place” discussions and in the decision-making process on critical issues such as curriculum, staffing needs, and governance - Considers the additional time demands on faculty and staff that will be necessary to effectuate a new COM culture
- Develops strategies to minimize faculty and staff attrition and identifies causes when individuals leave the University
In addition, attention needs to be focused on the issue of compensation to ensure that salaries and benefits are equitable between and among departments and that the COM compensation package reflects competitive market rates of similarly situated individuals.
2. Conduct regular meetings with department chairs and research focus area heads to make recommendations on how to improve engagement between the COM and clinical faculty.
The department chairs and research heads are in the best position to improve engagement. Regularly scheduled meetings would facilitate discussions on how best to build on opportunities, improve communication, and reduce barriers for collaboration and engagement.
3. Recruit and retain a more diverse faculty and staff.
Faculty and staff recruitment and retention strategies are different yet closely related to student recruitment and retention strategies. Much like the activities for student recruitment, faculty and staff recruitment strategies involve creating critical relationships with potential candidates in identified universities, hospitals, businesses, and other areas from which the COM recruits potential employees.
An important consideration is ensuring that the compensation package is competitive for attracting and retaining a more diverse work force which supports NEOMED’s diversity goals and is reflective of the communities the COM serves. Retention strategies include those activities which make the newly hired faculty and staff feel immediately welcomed and a valued member of the COM.
4. Assess workloads and develop a transparent process for assignments.
Understanding faculty and staff workload is important for ensuring that there is a balance of resources throughout the college and that there are opportunities for everyone to develop their leadership skills and share the workload of the college.
5. Create an intentional and targeted faculty and staff development program that is focused on developing leadership and professional skills.
The COM faculty and staff would like more opportunities to develop their leadership and professional skills. The input indicated that the mode for professional development can vary from “lunch and learn” sessions to national conferences.
The challenge is to provide the right type of development opportunities at the right time to address the diverse needs of all the COM’s faculty and staff. The goal is to elevate the leadership skills at all levels of the COM so faculty and staff are able to provide higher value to their college, their peers, and their students.
6. Develop succession plans for faculty and staff.
COM must ensure that all key positions have a succession plan to fill gaps if individuals leave NEOMED or in the event of an emergency that prevents key individuals from performing their duties.
Succession planning helps ensure continuity and performance of the COM, particularly during times of shifting leadership and change. Creating a “talent pipeline,” by preparing faculty and staff to fill vacancies in their departments seamlessly as others retire or move on is the benefit of establishing robust leadership development initiatives and formalized mentoring programs.
7. Provide a safe space and resources for faculty, staff, and administrators to voice and resolve their concerns related to:
- Workload issues
- Resource issues
- Conflict mediation
- Work/life balance
- Academic issues
- Physical and mental health issues
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