Initial Publication Date: April 13, 2015

Most Important Factor in Departmental Success

Go back to the beginning of this presentation, by Randall Richardson and Susan Beck of the University of Arizona, about the results of a national survey of geoscience departments.

Key findings:

At 4-year and master's institutions curricula, teamwork, recruitment and partnerships were considered important for success.
At PhD granting institutions recruitment was the most important followed by curricula and partnerships.
At 2-year institutions curricula was the most important factor for success.

Click on the thumbnail images to see larger versions of each graph.

Of the seven items listed below, which one would you choose as the single most important measure or indicator of departmental success?

Show choices from left to right

Defining the mission of the department in such a way that it is aligned with the institution vision.
Taking a proactive stance in building modern and dynamic geoscience curricula and, as appropriate, research agendas.
Working effectively as a department team.
Acknowledging that recruitment, development, and retention of students, faculty, and staff are key elements of departmental success and working effectively in these areas.
Developing strong departmental leaders now and for the future.
Communicating success, using effective metrics, to colleagues, senior administrators, students, donors, and friends.
Forging strategic partnerships within the university (e.g., with biosciences, engineering, environmental studies, or geography) and outside the university (e.g., employers or alumni).