Product Scope: Teaching

Current State

Future State

30 undergraduate programs via 5 divisions

4.1.1 - Increased interdisciplinary approaches in existing programs and additional undergraduate partnership programs in allied health and social work

Unaccredited professional programs

4.1.2 - Fully accredited programs in business and education

3 masters degrees and educational specialist degree

4.1.3 - New masters degree programs in marine science, math education, nursing and/or computer science and technology

Participating in University Consortium of Small Island States (UCSIS)

4.1.4 - Developed programs that support participation in UCSIS to encourage internationalization, student exchanges

Online courses in computer science and other selected disciplines

4.1.5 - Expanded use of e-learning in appropriate contexts and markets

Product Scope: Research

Current State

Future State

Local and regional environmental, social and economic research with limited capacity

4.2.1 - Established organizational structure with capacity to support the development of VI and Caribbean communities

$24 million in sponsored programs (including high profile initiatives such as EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) and CMES (Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences)

4.2.2 - Significantly increased level of federal and local grants and contracts in support of nationally recognized Centers of Excellence and student and faculty development

Initiation of renewable energy resources program (e.g. solar energy)

4.2.3 - Expanded renewable energy resources program, including wind turbine and solar, to reduce energy costs

Collaboration with external stakeholders to develop UVI Research and Technology Park

4.2.4 - Collaboration with functioning UVI Research and Technology Park to focus on student and faculty benefits

Relatively low level of faculty research and publications

4.2.5 - Increased faculty research and publications at levels commensurate with peer institutions in the U.S.

Product Scope: Community Service

Current State

Future State

Economic transformation of Territory supported via higher education initiatives through research and public units (e.g. WRRI (Water Resources Research Institute), CES (Cooperative Extension Service), AES (Agricultural Experiment Station), CMES, ECC (Eastern Caribbean Center), CDC (Conservation Data Center), SBDC (Small Business Development Center), VIUCEDD (Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) and academic programs

4.3.1 - Recognized leadership role within community to address social, economic, political and cultural issues impacting the Territory

CELL (Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning) and VI-EPSCoR programs developed to address community demand for workforce training and competitive research

4.3.2 - CELL programs expanded in scope and capacity for training, professional development and consulting and a fully developed EPSCoR program

Limited campus venues for various stakeholders to participate in activities and dialogue

4.3.3 - Create community centers on each campus to bring external/internal stakeholders together

Leadership role in developing sports tourism (e.g. Paradise Jam)

4.3.4 - Increased involvement and recognition in sports tourism

Insufficient facilities to meet emerging demand in support of conferences and meetings related to community activities, especially on St. Thomas

4.3.5 - Establish Hotel and Conference Center on STT campus to meet demand

Geographic Scope

Current State

Future State

Students from U.S. Virgin Islands and Caribbean (94% of students are VI residents)

4.4.1 - Increased diversity of student body

4.4.2 - Increased number of international students

4.4.3 - Increased research programs focusing on small island economies

Initial outreach and collaboration initiatives with institutions in the Caribbean and the U.S.

4.4.4 - Expanded outreach to institutions in Eastern Caribbean via e-learning and articulation agreements

Ways to Achieve and Maintain Competitive Advantage

Current State

Future State

External consultants and assessment addressing the need for additional and new skill sets for faculty and staff

4.5.1 - Increased investment in training and professional development for faculty and staff

Non-competitive compensation for employees

4.5.2 - Competitive compensation for staff, faculty and research personnel

Silo-based approaches to leadership

4.5.3 - Cross functional and interdisciplinary approaches to leadership across the institution

Inadequate technological infrastructure to address demands from students, faculty and staff

4.5.4 - Technologically improved infrastructure to support change in instruction, research and management

Advisory Boards for community outreach for Research and Public Service (RPS)

4.5.5 - Advisory Councils established and linked to academic programs, specifically professional and graduate programs

Participation in local (Governor's Cabinet) and national (Higher Education Associations and Commissions) policy and governance institutions and organizations

4.5.6 - Increased leadership role in local and national policy and governance organizations and institutions in support of additional resources and enhanced University reputation

Initial partnering in collaborative agreements for academic and institutional development

4.5.7 - Expanded collaborative partnerships in teaching, research and community service to enhance revenues and enrollment