Daniel Byers

The Panhandle Path Forward outlines Oklahoma Panhandle State University's new strategic framework, developed through a collaborative planning process. The plan aims to strengthen the entire student lifecycle, from early outreach to career readiness, and is centered around three core questions: how to improve student success, strengthen people and culture, and increase regional impact. It emphasizes aligning academic programming with workforce needs, data-informed decision-making, and measurable objectives, reflecting a commitment to shared governance and accountability.

The strategic plan for Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) is dedicated to student success in a global community, emphasizing lifelong learning and community empowerment. Key areas include providing excellent education to stakeholders, optimizing resources through partnerships, enhancing graduate production, and improving community quality of life. The plan also highlights the importance of integrity, inclusion, excellence, service, and sustainability as core values.

The strategic plan focuses on student learning, resource optimization, graduate production, and lifelong learning. Key performance indicators and measures are tracked from 2016-17 to 2023-24, including first to second year retention rate, faculty-student ratio, average class size, distance and remote enrollment, and successful course completion rate. Resource optimization is measured by outside dollars raised, grant dollars raised, number of donors, and gifts in kind. Graduate production is assessed through 4-year and 6-year graduation rates, unduplicated 12-month headcount, and the increase in degrees and certificates awarded. Lifelong learning is tracked via community partnerships and attendance at events like Homecoming and Dorm of Doom.

Oklahoma Panhandle State University's strategic plan centers around becoming a national leader among regional universities, empowering learners and the community through lifelong opportunities. Key values include integrity, inclusion, excellence, service, and sustainability. Goals focus on providing excellence to all stakeholders through student learning (empowerment, innovation, access, and student-centered support), resource optimization (engagement, partnerships, and collaboration), graduate production (comprehensive student experience promoting excellence), and lifelong learning (improving quality of life and transforming communities).

The meeting focused on reviewing and updating faculty credentials policies and procedures. Discussions included ensuring all faculty meet credential requirements, clarifying the definition of "tested experience," and implementing a new format for tracking credentials in Faculty Success. The process of validating credentials during the hiring process was also addressed, along with the responsibility of new hires to provide necessary documentation. The meeting also covered the Faculty Qualifications Plan, including its implementation in Faculty Success and communication to deans. Finally, the qualification of General Education faculty and adjunct faculty was reviewed.