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Characteristics of a Successful Department

Characteristics of a Successful Department

 1. MISSION AND STRATEGIES

The department has both a clear and defined mission aligned with that of the college and cohesive, demonstrable strategies to achieve that mission.

2. INTERNAL RECOGNITION

The department has achieved recognized success within Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø by such means as:

• Excellence of teaching
• The development and implementation of the curriculum
• Active discussion of the effectiveness of current pedagogy and incorporation of new pedagogies appropriate to the discipline
• An appropriate balance between general education and the major
• A commitment to multicultural diversity
• The appropriate incorporation of technology into teaching and learning
• The integration of learning with faith and faith with learning
• Evident leadership within and beyond the department
• A positive spirit and vitality that create community, and support and enhance the work of faculty, students and the broader college community
• Involvement with interdisciplinary programs/initiative
• A demonstrated ability to attract, retain and graduate excellent students

3. EXTERNAL RECOGNITION

The department has achieved and sustains recognized success beyond Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø by such means as:

• Accreditation
• Grants
• Awards (for innovative curricula, for effective capstone courses, for internship programs, etc.)
• Scholarship, creative work and professional activity (organization of conferences, editing, leadership of regional and national professional organizations, etc.)
• Success of alumni and current students
• A commitment to multicultural diversity
• A demonstrated positive connection to the local and regional communities

4. STUDENT LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Students contribute to the intellectual vitality of the Hope community by such means as:

• Collaborative student/faculty research
• Independent studies, internships, service learning and other off-campus experiences
• Performances
• Student leadership of departmental and disciplinary endeavors