NAASS 2021-2025 Strategic Plan
Members of the Planning Group
- Aleschia Velasquez, Barnard College
- Allyson Morris, Santa Clara University
- Christine Parker, University of Chicago
- David Lee, Southern Methodist University
- Gary L Simon (Chair), University of Tampa
- Jacob Wierson, Saint Louis University
- Jewel Cash, Boston University
- Lowell Davis, Western Carolina University
- Maria Lettiere, Loyola University Chicago
- Michael Fitzpatrick, Yale University
- Natalie Kokorudz, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Patricia Suske University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Rachel Nottingham-Miller, University of Virginia
- Sarah Craig, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Steven Girardot, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Troy Hargrove, Saint Louis University
The planning group met via Zoom seven times and followed this planning framework:
- Identify/reaffirm our mission
- Establish a vision of NAASS for the
- State the core values and guiding principles that will underpin our
- Frame at least three but no more than five goals, each with accompanying
- Develop an action roadmap with tasks, assigned responsibility, and date for substantial
The committee committee refreshed the Association’s mission statement, established the vision, articulated the guiding principles for members, and identified three goals with corresponding objectives.
Mission
The mission of NAASS is to provide leadership for the continual improvement of academic quality, student services and financial success of summer and special sessions in higher education. The Association accomplishes the mission by identifying emerging trends; establishing and recommending best practices; facilitating networking and resource sharing; conducting and promoting research and scholarship; and providing training and professional development.
Vision
NAASS is a vibrant, inclusive organization widely recognized as the authority in summer and special sessions innovation and administration.
Guiding Principles
NAASS members believe in:
- Valuing diversity in education
- Developing and sharing expertise with
- Innovating and leading academic initiatives and leveraging them to continually improve
- Problem solving through wide-ranging collaboration. (wide-ranging encompasses broad-based)
- Mentoring principled leaders and administrators
Goals and Objectives
GOAL 1 is to be the recognized leader for summer and special sessions in higher education by November
- Objective 1a is to hold an internationally attended conference annually, resuming the conference schedule in September
- Objective 1b is to establish and maintain a database of best practices and resources and update twice a year.
- Objective 1c is to publish 5 articles and/or presentations within the higher education community in 2021.
- Objective 1d is to create a sponsorship program with partner organizations willing to work with NAASS in support of its mission and
- Objective 1e is to broadly promote Summer Academe to at least five outlets as the journal covering topics relevant to summer and special
GOAL 2 is to expand institutional membership in NAASS to include the many and varied higher education institutions by the annual conference in
- Objective 2a is to retain and maintain 90% of current NAASS institutional members.
- Objective 2b is to grow new membership of colleges and universities with diverse size, location, type, and history by at least 23 institutional members by December
GOAL 3 is to expand the active participation within NAASS member institutions to all principled collaborators and leaders (such as faculty, students, staff, and others) supporting summer and special This is an ongoing goal with checkpoints reviewed at each annual conference.
- Objective 3a is to identify and reach out to a diverse group of staff within five member institutions to be active in and aware of
- Objective 3b is to communicate and invite participation of higher education leaders in a NAASS-sponsored event or communication.
- Objective 3c is to develop and support an internship or graduate assistantship program for students.
Tasks Completion is Vital for Success
|
Task |
Assignment |
Substantial completion by |
Supports objective(s) |
|
Develop conference themes and programming to support accomplishment of specific strategic objectives. |
Conference Planning Committee Executive Committee |
Sept 1. 2020 & annually thereafter |
1a Compliments Goal 2 |
|
Develop list of academic publications in Canada, UK, and other target countries in which to promote the conference. |
Quality & Research Comte |
Nov 30, 2020 Update annually |
1a, 2a |
|
Promote the annual conference through webinars. |
Membership & Comm Comte |
ongoing |
1a, 2a |
|
Simulcast annual conference for attendees not able to be onsite. |
Conference Planning Committee |
Annually during conf. |
1a, 2b |
|
Obtain conference sponsors |
Conference Planning Committee Executive Committee |
April 1, 2021 & annually thereafter |
1a |
|
Research best practices in education directly applicable to summer and special sessions and publish. |
Quality & Research Comte (Gary Simon will do preliminary draft) |
Feb 2021 |
1b Compliments Goal 2 |
|
Decide best platform through which to make the best practices and resources document available. Consider: cost, ease of updating, ability to make content publicly available, stability of platform, etc. (Website, social media, webinars, etc.) |
Executive Committee |
May 2021 |
1b |
|
Update and continually improve the best practices and resources |
Quality & Research Comte |
June annually |
1b, 3b |
|
Prepare how to manuals (job descriptions, operational practices, etc.) Post full manual on member only website access. Post abstract/summary for public access. Interested in learning more? Join NAASS. Charge for full content. Solicit members for content. |
Membership & Comm Comte |
1b, 3a Compliments Goal 2 |
|
|
Hold best practices training workshops. Consider charging modest fee. Virtual workshops. |
Administrative Council Creative and Innovative Awards Comte |
Ongoing Quarterly checkup |
1b, 3a |
|
Produce publications targeted to specific audiences within higher education. |
Administrative Council |
monthly |
1c, 2b Compliments Goal 3 |
|
Use social media and NAASS Beat to promote and demonstrate NAASS benefits |
Membership & Comm Comte |
monthly |
1c Compliments Goals 2 & 3 |
|
Create online portal to record published articles and press releases. Build a “Press area” in the website. |
Membership & Comm Comte |
Nov 30, 2020 |
1c, 2a, 2b |
|
Identify other organizations compatible with NAASS mission and request role in their conferences/webinars/etc. and invite them to do same with NAASS. Consider incentives to offer. |
Administrative Council |
monthly |
1c |
|
Identify international recruitment organizations for potential sponsorships and partnering. |
Christine Parker |
Check point Dec 2020 |
1d, 2b |
|
Coordinate with AUSS to expand partnering opportunities. |
Christine Parker |
Check point Dec 2020 |
1d, 2b, 3b |
|
Identify and approach vendors and advertisers for partnering opportunities. Ask for volunteers (consult with present & past sponsors), especially experienced people in our member institutions. |
Executive Committee |
Monthly |
1d |
|
Change the name of Summer Academe considering: Summer and Special Sessions Academe, The Journal of Summer and Special Sessions. Consult with AUSS. |
Editorial board, Academic Editor, (Rachel Nottingham Miller) |
Dec 31, 2020 |
1e |
|
Develop and carry out a program to regularly connect with graduate students for research and publishing. Prepare a solicitation to send to member institution graduate schools. |
Quality & Research Comte |
June 2022 |
1e, 3c |
|
Resurrect the Theresa Neil grant to support research efforts. |
Executive Committee |
Dec 31, 2021 |
1e, 3c |
|
Routinely publish articles on the best practices and resources. |
Editorial Board, Summer Academe |
Quarterly |
1e Compliments Goal 2 |
|
Discuss Summer Academe articles and published materials in webinars. |
Membership & Comm Comte |
Twice annually (set dates). |
1e |
|
Identify and contact members in the last 2-3 years who have not renewed and offer incentive to renew now. |
Membership & Comm Comte Assistant Regional Vice Presidents |
Every 6 months. Prior to summer renewal period (April May) |
2a |
|
Send letter to President of each current institutional member thanking for membership and listing benefits of NAASS membership. (recognize active NAASS participants & benefits, such as virtual search tool) Invite to webinar. Learn about NAASS and BENEFITS of summer. Have a growing invite list. |
Membership & Comm Comte Assistant Regional Vice Presidents |
Renewal time and February annually. |
2a Compliments Goals 1 & 3 |
|
Enhance website consistent with the intent of membership growth. |
Membership & Comm Comte |
Annually in January and June. |
2b |
|
Document initiatives and innovations undertaken by members through broad collaboration (winter, pre-college, remote, summer). Post profiles on website. |
Creative and Innovative Awards Comte |
Annually in August |
2b, 3a |
|
Develop a NAASS benefits statement and promotional message targeting the various institution types (large public, private non- profit, HBCU, etc.). Consult with Amer Assoc of Community Colleges (AACC); NASNTI, NAFEO, and others, including those representing non-US based institutions. |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte Creating Actionable Change Comte |
May, 2021 |
2b Compliments 2a |
|
Add 1-3 US HBCU new members. Consult with NAFEO. |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Add 2 Native American Serving institutions. Consult with NASNTI. |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Add 3 Hispanic primary-serving institutions. Consult with Alliance for Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE). |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Add 10 US Community colleges and other 2-year post-high school institution members. Consult with Amer Assoc of Community Colleges (AACC). |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Add 3 US Research I university members. Consult with AUSS. |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Add 3 non-US post higher education-equivalent institution members |
Executive Committee Membership & Comm Comte |
October, 2022 |
2b |
|
Conduct outreach to members listed with their institution |
Regional VP’s Assistant Regional Vice Presidents |
January, May, Sept. each year |
3a |
|
Identify individuals not listed as members with an institution who might be invited to participate in webinars and/or the annual conference, such as registrars, financial aid, advising, student affairs, housing, career services, honors, 1st year directors, precollege & bridge program directors, international program directors, 1st in family/marginalized populations directors, etc. Prepare “how to do this” package. |
Institutional representatives. Regional VP Council Assistant Regional Vice Presidents |
Ongoing June, 2021 |
3a |
|
Identify mentors to work with aspiring NAASS participants in member institutions. |
Executive Committee Regional VP Council |
Annually by September |
3a |
|
Identify funding mechanisms to support ongoing mentorship. |
Executive Committee |
June, 2021 |
3a |
|
Profile past and present NAASS participants who moved to high level administrative positions. Identify at least one to profile annually. Consider asking to present a webinar or comment on social media. |
Membership & Comm Comte Creative and Innovative Awards Committee Allyson Morris (I can assist in identifying past members who have high level positions.) |
Annually in April and September |
3b Compliments Goal 2 |
|
Identify state governing boards and campus governing boards/trustees for outreach. |
Executive Committee |
Annually in March |
3b |
|
Contact senior campus administrators & leaders. |
Executive Committee Regional VP’s |
Annually in March |
3b, 2a |
|
Connect with prominent national education advocates. |
Executive Committee |
Annually in January |
3b Compliments Goal 1 |
|
Develop a “how to” model for engaging interns and graduate assistants and circulate to members. |
Quality & Research Comte |
June, 2021 |
3c |
|
Identify funding support for internships |
Executive Committee |
January, 2021 |
3c |