August 14, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. - The 2024-25 academic year at Vincennes University brings a sense of excitement and opportunity as students, faculty, and staff embrace fresh beginnings. Opening Meeting serves as the official start of the new academic year. Faculty and staff gathered on Monday, Aug. 12, at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center and online for the annual kick-off event.

VU has adopted an outstanding approach to the new academic year by designating it as the "Year of Listening," emphasizing a commitment to understanding the needs and aspirations of the University community to ensure continued success and sustainability.

VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said, "Our culture is one where everyone takes pride in what we do as a mission and the impact we have. We are an institution that has a history of caring for our students in a way that other universities don't. We are an institution that serves populations that need a little extra care. So we (the VU Executive Team) talked about how do we enhance our culture of care? How do we make it more meaningful and more adaptive to different environments and changes? We also talked about how Vincennes University's current strategic plan is scheduled to wrap up at the end of 2025. We came to the conclusion that what we really need to do is listen more."

Johnson added, "So, we're going to dub this 24-25 year the "Year of Listening." I and members of the Executive Team, and many others will be spending time, more concertedly than ever listening to you. We already listen in a variety of ways, but we want to make sure we're hearing as many voices as possible across the institution. So, look for opportunities for each and every one of you to be invited to talk about what we can do to help maintain the special relationship that Vincennes University has with our students and our communities."

In addition to enhancing communication, another major University advancement includes investing in VU faculty and staff by making significant adjustments to salaries across the board, in order to retain and attract the best personnel. At the beginning of the 24-25 fiscal year, VU aligned salaries with similar jobs on the market following a 15-month compensation study conducted by an independent consultant, resulting in a new compensation management system that the university will use to remain competitive.

Additional key advancements include:

• Developing more flexible, engaging, and accessible learning environments to increase the student experience.
• Upgrading to the latest technology, including AI for faculty and the upcoming launch of a VU Experience (VUX) mobile app.
• Creating policies and processes that benefit the University community, such as adopting hybrid work schedules, implementing summer office hours, and introducing a new onboarding program.

This focus on staff, faculty, and students is complemented by a strong emphasis on making data-driven decisions. The University is using data to explore ways to refine academic programs, such as offering degrees faster, while maintaining its emphasis on producing graduates with relevant knowledge and skills and high-quality credentials.

VU's Executive Team discussed these topics and more during an Opening Meeting panel, including Johnson (pictured on the right), Provost Dr. Laura Treanor, Vice President of Government Affairs Tony Hahn, Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Services David Tucker (pictured in the center), Vice President of Financial Services Tim Eaton, and Executive Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Jaci Lederman. The panel was moderated by keynote speaker, Dr. Jay Akridge (pictured on the left), Trustee Chair in Teaching and Learning Excellence and Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. 

Momentum, vibrant, agile, exciting, customized, resilient, flexible, and special are among the words chosen by the executive panel to describe VU's future. They provided key insight into how VU is adapting to a changing higher education landscape, positioning itself for continued academic excellence, and strengthening the state of Indiana by driving economic growth, fostering partnerships, and empowering Hoosiers.

The Executive Team also shared updates on the $4.5 million state-funded initiative announced last fall that focuses on injecting further vitality into Indiana's aviation industry and bolstering the Indianapolis International Airport's growth with the expansion of the VU's Aviation Maintenance program, the new state-funded, cutting-edge $33.9 million Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning currently under construction, and the launch of a new Employer Gateway designed to make it easier for employers to engage with Vincennes University when hiring VU students, upskilling current employees and partnering in apprenticeship and other work, earn, and learn programs.

Following the President's opening remarks, attendees heard Akridge, who in addition to his outstanding research and teaching career served in a variety of administrative roles at Purdue, including Provost and Dean of the College of Agriculture. He presented on the current and future challenges and opportunities in higher education.

Akridge noted that 55% of jobs nationally in 2031 will require at least an associate degree, and 42% will require at least a bachelor's degree. College and post-secondary credentials remain crucial as 62% of Indiana jobs in 2031 will demand education beyond high school, equipping graduates with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.

"The whole idea of workforce development is front and center in the state of Indiana, and it is front and center in this country," Akridge said.

"Employers, elected officials, higher education leaders - literally everyone - is concerned about the preparation of students for the workforce and making sure we've got the talent we need as a U.S. economy to be successful going forward," Akridge said. "This holds for our state as well and when something is that important to the people of Indiana, it creates an opportunity for the institutions that can provide that education."

Akridge noted that VU is an institution well-positioned to take advantage of such opportunities.

Later in the morning, newer faculty and staff were welcomed to VU, and other employees were recognized for service milestones. The Opening Meeting culminated with an exciting announcement of the 2024 Peer Recognition Awards, which honor faculty and staff whose excellent contributions have made a lasting impact at VU.

Johnson announced Debbie Furnish (VU Logistics Training and Education Center Warehouse Technician), Shannon Hudson (Assistant Professor and Chair of Legal Studies), Christopher Schneberger (Assistant Professor of Art and Design), Jennifer Steffy (Department Chair of Agribusiness and Horticulture) and Malalai "Molly" Yawar (Workforce Training Coordinator of Region 8) will be honored with a special ceremony celebrating their leadership, service and dedication to the University during Fall Semester 2024.

An Opening Meeting highlight since 2014 is the kick-off of an annual drive supporting Sandy's Pantry, which provides free, non-perishable food and hygiene items for VU students experiencing food insecurity. Before the culmination of the Opening Meeting, VU staff and faculty had already donated $1,156 in cash and 509 food items. Once again, the VU Foundation will match the cash donations with an additional $500. Additional cash, food, and hygiene contributions can be dropped off at the President's Office or Governor's Hall, Suite 118.

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