icon5 Invest in Internal Operations and Recource Development

The success of our research, partnerships, academic programs, and student-focused initiatives depends on the strength and sustainability of our internal operations. The faculty and staff who comprise the College of Social Work community are the foundation of everything we do. To achieve the ambitious goals laid out in this plan, we must prioritize investments in the people, processes, and resources that enable our work to flourish.

Central to this effort is equipping our people for success. By providing robust onboarding, clear career progression pathways, and opportunities for ongoing professional development, we empower faculty and staff to thrive in their roles and contribute meaningfully to the college’s mission. Alongside this, we are committed to fostering leadership within the college, cultivating a pipeline of future administrators and leaders who will help guide us forward.

Achieving our goals also requires a focus on resource development. Expanding our philanthropic efforts, diversifying our donor pool, and strengthening relationships with alumni and partners will enable us to grow our capacity to support students, advance research, and deepen community engagement. As we expand these efforts, we will also prioritize telling our story—communicating the impact of our work and celebrating the achievements of our faculty, staff, and students.

Through strategic investments in people, processes, and resources, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable progress, ensuring that our college remains a leader in education, research, and service.

STRATEGIES

INVEST IN PEOPLE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

• Build standard onboarding and processes for faculty, staff, and instructors, with regular touchpoints and training opportunities offered after initial onboarding
• Develop clear role and progression expectations for staff and career-line faculty
• Intentionally build a network of college administrators and leaders, investing in leadership development offerings
• Formalize mentorship programs to support career progression of faculty, staff, and leaders

GROW PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING

• Expand and diversify the overall donor pool considering, private donors, foundations, and non-profits
• Expand the types and frequencies of donor and alumni events and opportunities to become involved with the college
• Develop a comprehensive donor map to share the impact of support

SHARE THE IMPACT OF OUR WORK

• Provide the appropriate resources to implement a comprehensive public relations, communications, and marketing plan, utilizing a variety of channels to reach distinct audiences
• Invest in additional resources for marketing and communications, ensuring adequate personnel for external communications and the dissemination of faculty research

METRICS

•  Development of standardized onboarding procedures
  
  • Positive feedback on new processes
• Increased number of donors
  • Increase in first-time donors
• Increased philanthropic funds
• Positive growth in the number of CSW faculty and staff who participate in leadership development programs
• Positive growth in marketing and communications reach (e.g., media coverage, site traffic)