Communication. An intentional culture reflecting a fundamental sense of inclusivity, trust, and collaboration is not possible without consistent and effective communication. We will focus on the ways in which we can improve our communication throughout Morgridge.
Mentorship. Mentorship not only helps set clear expectations for newer colleagues, it also creates relationships that could cross-cut programs. Further, mentorship can reinforce our shared identity at Morgridge while also providing an opportunity to revitalize our intentional culture.
Onboarding and training. Starting a new job can be stressful for a number of reasons. Providing strong onboarding and training, especially in the beginning, gives new colleagues strong preparation and aligns knowledge with expectations.
Inclusivity. Consistently reinforcing inclusive excellence across words and actions and addressing disrespectful behavior in a meaningful and positive way, will strengthen our intentional culture. With the help of the Inclusive Excellence Committee, we will consider whether all actions by the College, even small ones, are reinforcing inclusive excellence. Many of the other components of this plan require innovation and calculated risk-taking. To encourage this, we will make sure that innovating and risk-taking is safe for everyone. Our intentional culture should value, respect, and support individuals in all roles.
Collaboration. Traditional systems in the University and in academia do not necessarily promote collaboration. While advocating for changes in these systems, we can push back against the academy’s focus on individual successes and reward collaborative efforts and successes. It is important to encourage relationships among faculty, staff, students, and alumni through activities such as shared projects, collaborative teaching, professional mixers, faculty presentations at staff meetings, and cross-program clubs (e.g., intramural sports). We will help faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other partners see the connections that exist under the umbrella of education.
Joy and relationships. Finally, we will create a culture that celebrates relationships. This might include providing spaces (including virtual ones) and events that encourage both formal and informal gatherings within the College. It also could include acknowledging and celebrating the support systems of faculty, staff, students, and alumni, which include their families.
Our ultimate goal is to serve our students. We accomplish this by integrating our values of praxis, equity and diversity, academic and scholarly excellence, collegiality, collaboration, and innovation into our everyday actions at the College and by prioritizing the services we provide to our students and the culture we build across the Morgridge community. An intentional culture that reflects our values and enhances our ability to collaborate in our work will deepen our impact as a college focused on being “a force for positive change in the lives of individuals, organizations, and communities through unleashing the power of learning.”