DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY  –  GOALS STATEMENT

(The following Goals are those of Longwood University.  Where appropriate, the Department of Psychology has outlined its own contributions to this effort. Such contributions are listed following specific strategies.)

GOAL I

To strengthen Longwood’s meaningful learning environment including rigorous academic and high personal expectations for all aspects of the institution.

Strategy I: Examine, define, assess and affirm those aspects of the college experience that foster a meaningful learning environment.

• Promote an understanding among students of the primary importance of classroom learning and individual responsibilities in acquiring a mastery of the fundamental concepts and methodologies in the field of psychology
• Expand experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students through the use of innovative teaching techniques, laboratory experiences, internships, and independent research experiences.
• Provide out-of-class academic activities that are educational (active involvement in Psi Chi – Psychology Honorary Society, and the Psychology Club)
• Promote an understanding among students of career options relating to psychology.

• Seek financial support from the college for all department faculty to attend relevant regional and national professional conferences, meetings, and workshops relating to: a) the discipline of psychology; and b) the enhancement of college classroom instruction.
• Seek financial support from the college for the purchase of new equipment and technology (e.g., laboratory equipment, computer hardware and software, professional journals)

• Encourage and seek financial support from the college for faculty research: a) in faculty areas of specialization; b) on topics relating to the enhancement of college classroom instruction; c) involving students
• Seek financial support from the college for research time, as well as for the purchase of required research equipment and technology (e.g., laboratory equipment, computer hardware and software, professional journals)

•  Encourage all department faculty and staff to attend faculty and staff development workshops and meetings on campus; in particular those relating to the use of instructional technology
• Seek financial support from the college for faculty travel to conferences to enhance teaching and research skills
• Seek financial support from the college for the purchase of equipment and technology (e.g., laboratory equipment, computer hardware and software, professional journals)

• Continue to request the purchase of current periodicals, books, videos, and other instructional media by the Longwood University Library

• Incorporate assignments requiring students to access psychology-related information from the World Wide Web into all courses

• Develop and maintain an active database of information on psychology major alumni
• Regularly provide information to and obtain feedback from psychology alumni through a mail survey and newsletter
• Incorporate information relevant to psychology alumni into departmental home page

GOAL II

To promote a student culture that encourages learning and responsible citizenship.

Strategy I: Ensure that student life programs and practices emphasize learning.

• Develop a speakers program in Psi Chi to expose students to the ideas of professionals outside of the department
• Contribute to the development of Longwood Seminar

• Promote an understanding of the connections between psychology and life experiences
• Incorporate student life programs and goals into class assignments & activities

• Clearly define and enforce the honor system in classes

• Incorporate technology into all courses (email, WebPages, etc).

• Increase problem based instruction in courses to facilitate creativity and critical thinking
• Communicate academic expectations to students

• Help students to develop a value system that emphasizes lifelong learning and personal growth

• Educate students regarding civility, responsibility, integrity and service at both the individual and societal level
• Promote the understanding of and respect for individual differences
• Promote the development of interpersonal skills such as effective and assertive communication

To enhance an academically sound curriculum and link classroom learning and the application of knowledge.

Strategy I: Examine the curriculum to provide the most beneficial combination of programs.

• Continue to examine the appropriateness of courses within the psychology department, including the evaluation and revision of core, concentration and elective courses

Strategy III: Assure that our liberal arts and professional programs meet the highest regional and national standards.

• Assess performance of Longwood psychology majors in comparison with appropriate normative groups; target the 55^th percentile on the Major Field Achievement Test for all psychology majors.

• Explore the potential for pursuing CAKREP accreditation for College and Community Counseling Master’s Program
• Explore the feasibility of developing a curriculum that meets state requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors

Strategy VI: Encourage and support international opportunities for all students.

• Explore possible opportunities for students to study abroad.

• Increase enrollment in Psychology 490 (Independent Research in Psychology) and Psychology 492 (Internship in Psychology).

• Educate students about the diverse career options available to psychology graduates

Strategy X: Provide a curriculum that incorporates diverse perspectives and realities.

• Promote the understanding of diversity through learning experiences and student assignments

• Develop sections of Introduction to Psychology courses for the Honors Program.

GOAL IV

To increase undergraduate and graduate student enrollment while enhancing the academic quality and character of Longwood University.

Strategy I: Improve the college’s image by conducting a comprehensive revision of the college’s marketing and public relations programs.

Strategy II: Increase the effectiveness of student recruitment activities and expand into new markets.

• Develop and revise psychology department world wide web pages that are designed to attract students to Longwood University
• Continue to improve the psychology department’s presentation at Preview sessions

Strategy IV: Improve the recruitment potential from outside groups who use our campus.

Strategy V: Implement enrollment management monitoring and evaluation systems to promote effective recruitment and retention strategies.

Strategy VI: Communicate the best of Longwood’s proud traditions and history to students, faculty, staff, alumni and other constituencies.

Strategy VII: Maintain or increase the proportion of E&G (Education and General) budget devoted to academic instruction so as to continue Longwood’s tradition of quality, personalized teaching.

Strategy VIII: Strive to make Longwood more competitive in its efforts to attract and retain outstanding faculty.

GOAL V

To create a more diverse college community with a collegial environment where individuals respect varied perspectives and opinions.

Strategy I: Promote a civil, inclusive campus environment.

• In applicable classes, educate students regarding the appropriate expression of individual perspectives and opinions

Strategy III: Continue to recruit an increasingly diverse faculty, staff and student body.

Strategy IV: Develop and embrace strategies of faculty, staff, and student recruitment which improve opportunities for enhancing diversity among all campus constituencies.

Strategy V: Seek ways to connect the surrounding community and the college in meaningful learning experiences that promote and celebrate diversity.

• Continue to accept invitations to participate in community groups and programs

To improve the stewardship of human, fiscal, physical, and environmental resources incorporating the most effective principles, models, and practices.

Strategy I: Adopt benchmarks for continuous quality improvement throughout the college so that sound management information is available for critical decision-making.

Strategy II: Prepare the college for a major funding drive to increase private support.

Strategy III: Provide support and assistance with grant writing.

Strategy IV: Increase availability and use of technology for instructional and administrative purposes.

• Incorporate computer applications in all classes including the use of statistical, word processing, and presentation software, as well as internet applications

• Continue to lobby the college for adequate space and support of integrated laboratory facilities for human and animal research

• Design and propose a functional integrated learning laboratory that could be used by all faculty members in teaching and research within their various domains of psychology

Strategy VII: Create the safest, most secure campus in the Commonwealth.

Strategy VIII: Improve the effective use of on and off-campus facilities.

Strategy IX: Develop a quick response emergency protocol to effectively respond to a broad variety of potential campus emergencies.

Strategy X: Develop a plan to conduct an environmental audit of all aspects of campus life, and develop a plan to increase responsible environmental behaviors and practices as an integral part of college activities.

Strategy XI: Refine the budgeting process so that it is driven by and explicitly demonstrates the relationship between the allocation of resources and the goals, strategies, and objectives derived from the college’s mission and vision statement.

Strategy XII: Evaluate the need for and develop support systems to reflect the college’s sensitivity to the personal needs of the campus community.

GOAL VII

To enhance outreach and public service efforts devoted to local, regional, national, and global advancement.

Strategy I: Assess the needs (demand, resources, facilities, and staffing) for credit-based off-and on-campus continuing education offerings.

Strategy II: Increase the effectiveness of credit-based off-and on-campus continuing education offerings.

• Continue to provide course offerings for the College and Community Counseling Program in South Boston, whenever possible.

Strategy IV: Develop and strengthen program-based community partnerships.

• Assess the educational needs of the citizens in the South Boston Continuing Education center (CEC) market area and restructure the governance of the CEC to more closely resemble a consortium of Longwood University, Southside Virginia Community College, Danville Community College, and Averett College in the first tier and other service providers in the second tier.
• Strengthen connections with schools.

Strategy VI: Establish research initiatives as catalysts for community improvement.

Strategy VII: Maintain and expand, as appropriate, the activities of the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.

Strategy VIII: Develop a faculty/staff speaker’s bureau and a list of faculty experts that can be used by the media.

• Provide personal/professional biographies of psychology department faculty, when requested

Strategy X: Assess the feasibility of expanding the Longwood Pre-School program and explore support services for senior citizens.