1. We Empower Students
Goal 1.1: Strengthen support systems that promote student success and well-being.
- Objective 1.1.1: Provide training to equip instructional support with strategies to effectively support students.
- Objective 1.1.2: Offer regular training on student mental health and best practices for student support.
- Objective 1.1.3: Create faculty peer-to-peer learning sessions to share approaches for fostering student success.
Goal 1.2: Build meaningful connections and engagement opportunities for all students.
- Objective 1.2.1: Survey students regularly to identify the types of events and engagement opportunities they value.
- Objective 1.2.2: Host town halls and informal events that encourage open dialogue and community-building.
- Objective 1.2.3: Develop targeted engagement opportunities for online students to ensure inclusion.
Goal 1.3: Expand resources that remove barriers and elevate student voices.
- Objective 1.3.1: Elevate advisor expertise and perspectives through structured involvement in student support initiatives.
- Objective 1.3.2: Strengthen connections between current students and alumni through mentorship and networking programs.
- Objective 1.3.3: Secure additional scholarships and funding opportunities to reduce financial barriers.
Objective 1.3.4: Establish a dedicated staff position to oversee student engagement and communication.
2. We Center Social Justice, Equity, and Accessibility in Research and Teaching
Goal 2.1: Advance inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices across the college.
- Objective 2.1.1: Develop in-house training, workshops, and consulting services to support faculty in implementing inclusive pedagogy.
- Objective 2.1.2: Provide resources and mentorship for instructors seeking to integrate culturally responsive approaches into their classrooms.
- Objective 2.1.3: Establish ongoing professional learning communities to share best practices and innovations in equity-centered teaching.
Goal 2.2: Expand equitable access to research opportunities and support structures for INFO students.
- Objective 2.2.1: Collaboratively redesign the student onboarding process to prioritize mentorship, accessibility, and inclusive practices.
- Objective 2.2.2: Launch the INFO Justice Incubator to provide grant writing mentorship and support for students pursuing equity-driven research.
- Objective 2.2.3: Conduct regular assessments on student involvement in research opportunities within the college and across campus, using findings to improve access
and inclusivity.
Goal 2.3: Establish the college as a hub for scholarship and dialogue on justice, equity, and accessibility.
- Objective 2.3.1: Institutionalize marquee community and belonging events as signature contributions to the field. (ex. Disability Global Summit and CIDLIS)
- Objective 2.3.2: Create the INFO Student Showcase to give students a safe and supportive environment for presenting research and learning to navigate academic
spaces. - Objective 2.3.3: Partner with external scholars and organizations to bring national and global perspectives on equity and accessibility into college programming.
3. We Invest in Personal and Professional Development
Goal 3.1: Strengthen onboarding and orientation processes to support long-term success for faculty and staff.
- Objective 3.1.1: Collaboratively redesign onboarding programs for new faculty (adjunct, PTK, TTK) and staff to ensure inclusive, consistent, and comprehensive preparation.
- Objective 3.1.2: Provide tailored onboarding modules for different employee groups that highlight expectations, resources, and community connections.
- Objective 3.1.3: Integrate mentoring and peer support into onboarding to promote belonging and retention.
Goal 3.2: Expand access to professional learning and development resources.
- Objective 3.2.1: Promote existing UMD benefits and other professional development
tools to maximize utilization. - Objective 3.2.2: Coordinate with campus partners (DivIT, UHR, CLOC, etc.) to host regular workshops and trainings that meet diverse employee needs.
- Objective 3.2.3: Establish a central OACES hub (digital or physical) where staff and faculty can access curated professional development opportunities.
Goal 3.3: Foster a culture of mentoring, collaboration, and engagement.
- Objective 3.3.1: Implement comprehensive training for faculty mentors to ensure equitable and effective support for students and colleagues.
- Objective 3.3.2: Develop and launch a structured staff mentoring process to promote career growth and community within the unit.
- Objective 3.3.3: Establish an annual event that combines professional development with community-building and staff engagement.
4. We Partner with Our Neighbors to Engage in Information and Technology for Good
Goal 4.1: Build sustainable partnerships that connect the college with campus and community resources.
- Objective 4.1.1: Develop and maintain a referral list of campus and local entities that provide support in areas beyond INFO’s scope.
- Objective 4.1.2: Establish formal pathways for sharing resources and referrals with students, staff, and community members.
- Objective 4.1.3: Strengthen collaborations with community-based organizations to co-develop solutions to identified needs.
Goal 4.2: Equip students with the skills to engage ethically and effectively in community-based work.
- Objective 4.2.1: Create training modules and guidance for students on ethical engagement, cultural humility, and working with communities.
- Objective 4.2.2: Integrate community engagement principles into existing experiential learning and service-learning opportunities.
- Objective 4.2.3: Provide faculty with resources and frameworks for supporting students in community-based projects.
Goal 4.3: Ensure partnerships are reciprocal, equitable, and responsive to community
needs.
- Objective 4.3.1: Regularly review and analyze feedback from experiential learning and service-learning engagements to identify themes and strengthen community-informed
practices. - Objective 4.3.2: Develop and implement tools for evaluating mutual readiness before entering community partnerships.
- Objective 4.3.3: Establish accountability mechanisms (e.g., feedback loops, annual reviews) to ensure community voices shape and sustain partnerships.