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DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
STRATEGIC PLAN

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Political Science is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and to offering an undergraduate curriculum designed to provide students with a solid foundation and broad understanding of the discipline of political science, and to allow students to specialize in areas of particular substantive interest. Our masters program in public administration produces trained public servants, and our doctoral program in political science develops sophisticated, skilled scholars and researchers. We provide services to local, regional, and state governmental agencies through our Center for Public Service, and new Lewis and Maxine Earl Survey Research Laboratory.

VISION STATEMENT

The Department of Political Science aspires to the highest national standards in teaching, research, and service, while maintaining an educational and professional atmosphere of diversity and inclusiveness at all levels. We look to increase the popularity of our undergraduate major, to make our graduate programs nationally recognized programs of choice, and to serve our students, profession, and community in diverse ways.

Department of Political Science Core Values

GOALS, CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS, and
OBJECTIVES (including Strategies and Assessments)

Goal 1. Access and Diversity: Increase diversity among our Political Science students and faculty.

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Objective 1.1: Increase the number of minority students among our majors.

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Objective 1.2: Increase support for minority students.

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Objective 1.3: Increase the number of high-quality students among our majors.

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Objective 1.4: Increase the number and quality of graduate students.

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Goal 2. Excellence: Achieve the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, and service.

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Objective 2.1: Enhance the quality of our undergraduate teaching.

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Objective 2.2: Provide high quality advising to undergraduate students.

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Objective 2.3: Develop a faculty/student research program for undergraduates.

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Objective 2.4: Provide high quality advising to graduate students in Political Science.

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Objective 2.5: Provide high quality advising to graduate students in the MPA program.

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Objective 2.6: Maintain accreditation of our MPA program.

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Objective 2.7: Increase the visibility of our graduate programs.

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Objective 2.8: Develop faculty incentives for graduate student recruitment.

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Objective 2.9: Continue to support graduate students with travel, and dossier preparation funds.

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Objective 2.10: Provide additional funds for graduate student support.

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Objective 2.11: To become a department recognized for its quality and quantity of research.

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Objective 2.12: Provide opportunities for faculty development.

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Objective 2.13: To achieve a greater number of interdisciplinary and collaborative proposals.

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Objective 2.14: Establish and maintain excellent relations within the public and business communities, and various governmental agencies.

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Objective 2.15: Secure the funds for an endowed chair in Political Science.

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Objective 2.16: Increase the number of tenure track faculty.

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Goal 3. Build quality community connections internally, locally, and regionally.

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Objective 3.1: Increase internal awareness of the activities of the Department of Political Science.

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Objective 3.2: Increase external awareness of the activities of the Department of Political Science.

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Objective 3.3: Fully engage the Center for Public Service in community, regional, and state-wide activities, and develop a brochure that outlines the activities and resources of the Center.

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Objective 3.4: Establish research programs with community entities.

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Objective 3.5: Become more engaged in distance education activities.

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Objective 3.: Develop a full-service survey research facility.

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Goal 4. Information Technology: Maximize effective use of technology in all facets of the department’s mission.

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Objective 4.1: To take full advantage of current and emerging information technology capabilities.

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Objective 4.2: To provide full technological support for instructional activities.

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Objective 4.3: To develop and maintain an up-to-date department web site.

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Goal 5. Partnership: Collaborate in strategic alliances with other academic, government, community, corporate, and private entities.

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Objective 5.1: Broaden alliances between Political Science at TTU and at other institutions.

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Objective 5.2: Continue to make effective use of the Center for Public Service.

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Objective 5.3: Nurture the new MPA program alliances.

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Objective 5.4: Develop more relationships with the private sector.

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Objective 5.5: Increase Participation in Latin American and Iberian Studies and Russian Area Studies interdisciplinary programs.

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Goal 6. Human Resources: Enhance the quality of the work experience for all Political Science employees.

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Objective 6.1: Encourage, support, and reward efforts to hire, promote, and retain excellent and diverse faculty, academic professionals, and staff.

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Objective 6.2: Reduce turnover among faculty and staff.

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Objective 6.3: To ensure that all employee training programs are completed.

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Objective 6.4: Improve staff situations.

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Objective 6.5: Increase faculty diversity.

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Goal 7. Tradition and Pride: Project a strong image of Political Science locally, regionally, and nationally.

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Objective 7.1: Provide effective communication with alumni.

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Objective 7.2: Offer services to alumni and local community.

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Objective 7.3: Increase faculty participation in professional organizations.

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Goal 8. Institutional Advancement and Accountability: Strengthen the university's fiscal stability while remaining responsive to the people of Texas and their elected representatives.

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Objective 8.1: To obtain increased external funding.

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Objective 8.2: Develop an effective marketing program for the department's offerings and activities.

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