March 16 Virtual Event: Growth & Improvement Plans

On March 16th, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities hosted a webinar for our current IEP startup cohort focused on how Bowling Green State University (BGSU) was able to create a successful Growth & Improvement Plan as part of their 2018 IEP designation process.

On March 16th, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities hosted a webinar for our current IEP startup cohort focused on how Bowling Green State University (BGSU) was able to create a successful Growth & Improvement Plan as part of their 2018 IEP designation process.

Dr. Michael Y. Ogawa, Vice President for Research and Economic Engagement and Professor of Chemistry at BGSU then presented the creation process for his institution’s Growth & Improvement Plan and provided some pointers to attendees. Dr. Ogawa encouraged all attendees to think like a reviewer when writing and reviewing their Growth & Improvement plan. An example could be to evaluate a colleague’s proposal where you score it and then write a formal review. By creating a Growth & Improvement plan in a reviewer’s mindset, you will be able to craft a proposal seamlessly connecting your institution’s work in the areas of talent, innovation, and place.

He also provided four key pieces of advice when completing a G&I plan:

1. Address all the points in the guidelines
2. Write in a clear and convincing style
3. Use data-driven arguments
4. Tell a good story

When telling your story, Dr. Ogawa noted that you should share your successes and identify your weaknesses so you can address them preemptively and turn them into strengths. This also helps convince reviewers that your institution was thoughtful in the Growth & Improvement plan’s creation. It is particularly important to build out an infrastructure within your institution to establish internal and external buy-in, strategic alignment, and staffing support. Additionally, all startups can submit their completed applications for comment by reviewers once before submitting for decision. By submitting for comment, startups can receive valuable feedback to improve their application and structure their institution’s strategic plans.

Sarah Bartlome, Associate, Office for International, Community and Economic Engagement & Center for Public University Transformation (CPUT) introduced Momentive, IEP’s new award and designation application website.

Dr. Sheila Martin, Strategic Advisor for Economic Development and Community Engagement then shared the Growth & Improvement Plan guidelines to help applicants understand how our reviewers assess applicants’ plans. During the Q&A and breakout session, some of our participants noted that the Growth & Improvement process has helped institutionalize their IEP plans within their respective institutions. Attendees then joined breakout rooms where they reflected on their Growth & Improvement plan development and the insights they have discovered along the way.

Inspired by what you’ve read here? Learn more about how to get engaged at www.APLU.org/SeekIEP and read more articles like this at www.aplu.org/iepblog.