[OFFICIAL-L] Academic Efficiency and Effectiveness Review Process Update

August 7, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

I am following up on my recent announcement about the Academic Efficiency and Effectiveness Review of our institution’s programs. This type of review is a best practice process that should be undertaken each year at the college level and every five to seven years at the institutional level to assess and determine the effectiveness of the programs offered at Wright State.

I would like to share additional information about our collective efforts. Both our Executive Committee and Review Committee have been populated, and these members are listed below:

The Review Committee includes:

  • Ms. Denise Anderson – Data Governance Manager, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
  • Mr. Lance Cauley – Associate Director, Career Services
  • Dr. Dragana Claflin – Professor of Psychology
  • Dr. Marya Spring Cordes – Professor of Theatre
  • Ms. Betsy Crites – Lecturer and Education Coordinator, Lake Campus
  • Dr. Mark Cubberley – Associate Dean, Lake Campus
  • Dr. Jim Denniston – Dean, College of Health, Education, and Human Services
  • Ms. Elissa Falcone – Director of Curricular and Strategic Initiatives
  • Dr. Subhashini Ganapathy – Chair, Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, and Faculty Senate President
  • Dr. Carol Loranger – Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • Dr. Laura Luehrmann – Chair, School of Social Sciences and International Studies
  • Dr. Bruce Mackh (committee chair) – Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
  • Dr. Aaron Skira – Director, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
  • Dr. Patrick Sonner – Lecturer and Director, Undergraduate Neuroscience Program
  • Ms. Amanda Spencer – Director of University Academic Advising
  • Dr. Rachel Sturm – Interim Associate Dean, Raj Soin College of Business
  • Ms. Sommer Todd – Controller, Office of the Controller
  • Dr. Junjie Zhang – Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering

The Executive Committee includes:

  • Mr. Burhan Kawosa – Associate Vice President for Financial Operations
  • Dr. Bruce Mackh – Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
  • Mr. Greg Sample (committee co-chair) – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
  • Ms. Susan Schaurer – Vice President for Enrollment Management
  • Dr. Amy Thompson (committee co-chair) – Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Review Committee’s primary purpose is to collect and examine data about our academic programs, considering four key questions:

  • Mission: is the program critical to the university’s mission?
  • Outcome: is the program of sufficient quality?
  • Market: is there a demand for the program?
  • Margin: is the program fiscally efficient?

After carefully completing the review process, the Review Committee will sort each program into one of four categories for further consideration:

  • Program Enhancement: grow with additional resources
  • Program Maintenance: continue at the current level of support
  • Program Improvement: continue conditionally upon completion of a realistic improvement plan, redesign, consolidation, or restructuring
  • Program Closure: suspend or deactivate the program

The Review Committee will complete its work by the end of November. Once the Executive Committee receives and evaluates the Review Committee’s report, we will communicate and consult with chairs and deans regarding next steps. At the same time, faculty will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the Review Committee’s findings through an online portal, and those comments will be reviewed before I make my report to the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2023.

Our work has been designed very deliberately and intentionally as it is modeled on best practices across the nation. It is a highly structured process that will allow us to ensure accuracy and integrity.

We will continue to communicate with the campus community throughout the review process. I will also meet with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee at the beginning of the Fall Semester and provide a presentation to Faculty Senate.

I am certain we all share in the goal of ensuring that Wright State University continues to be a place that empowers all students to excel in their lives and chosen careers through integrated learning, research, innovation, and experience. I thank you for your support and dedication to this mission.

Respectfully yours,

Amy Thompson, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs