James Spoelstra

The Whitman School's Transformation Plan 2030 is a five-year strategic initiative aiming to elevate the institution to a top 25 undergraduate business school. Key objectives include enhancing career success and job placement through comprehensive experiential learning, launching innovative programs like the Center for the Creator Economy and its minor, and making significant investments in faculty, staff, and physical infrastructure. The plan also focuses on attracting high-quality students, integrating financial literacy and sustainability into the curriculum, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset to ensure strong academic standing and high post-graduation employment rates.

This document outlines questions collected in 2013 from the Upstate (Syracuse) community regarding the I-81 highway. It aims to identify barriers to connectivity and economic growth, inform urban reconnection strategies, and establish holistic success measures beyond car movement. Key considerations include leveraging existing infrastructure, prioritizing walkability and pedestrian safety, exploring regional approaches to reduce traffic demand, and re-linking city streets. The document emphasizes evaluating innovative transportation solutions, analyzing acquisition costs, modeling pedestrian experiences, and coordinating with city planning to achieve a multi-functional solution for the Syracuse region.

The convocation focused on honoring graduating students and recognizing faculty, staff, and contributors to the school. Key topics included the dedication of the annual thesis book to deceased community members, acknowledgments of individuals retiring or on medical leave, and the presentation of various academic and service awards, such as graduate assistant prizes, significant contribution awards, the AIA Certificate of Merit, the Alpha Rho Chi medal, and the Luther Gifford Prize for academic standing.

The jury panel reviewed student projects, focusing on themes such as narrative expression, diversity of global influences, and the role of history in contemporary architectural practice. The discussion covered the application of architectural tools to address environmental, cultural, and economic challenges. Specific projects were highlighted for their innovative approaches to informal housing, energy analysis, anti-architectural phenomena, and augmented reality, with jurors encouraging students to consider the political implications of their work as they transition into professional practice.

This document provides an update on the Whitman School of Management's pursuit of its 2017 strategic plan. It details significant progress in strengthening faculty through increased hires and research productivity, enhancing student quality and demand through rising applications and diverse enrollments, and fostering mission-driven program innovation, including new interdisciplinary and dual degree offerings. Current priorities involve ensuring degree programs meet future-ready objectives, further expanding online and interdisciplinary offerings, developing faculty mentoring, accelerating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and enhancing experiential learning opportunities.