Welcome from President Tom Ross
When I began my tenure as Davidson’s president in August 2007, the college began a strategic assessment process designed to evaluate the way Davidson looks now and shape the way the college looks in the future. It is my hope that through this process we can come together as a community to define the college’s strengths and examine areas where we might "change in order to remain the same." The world around us is evolving at an amazing rate; what does Davidson need to do in order to respond effectively to those changes? What are our core values? How have they manifested themselves over the college’s history, and how do we want to embody these values into the future? What are our hopes for Davidson College in 2018, and beyond? The participation of all members of the Davidson College community is central to the success of our strategic assessment process. I hope that you’ll take the time to e-mail me to let me know your thoughts.
“The primary purpose of Davidson College is to assist students in developing humane instincts and disciplined and creative minds for lives of leadership and service.”
-- Davidson College Statement of Purpose
Timeline
August 1, 2007
President Ross e-mailed students, faculty, and staff to ask what they would change about Davidson and what they would protect. See survey results. (.pdf)
October 2007
With help from a consultant (Center for Applied Research—CFAR), five areas were identified in which external forces would have a significant impact on Davidson over the next few years. Study groups made up of faculty, students, trustees and staff examined each area; each study group presented a report to President Ross in December 2007. |  |
Fall 2007 Study Group Reports
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January 2008
CFAR conducted an e-mail survey of Davidson students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and trustees. More than 5,000 people replied. See survey results. (.pdf) CFAR presented a summary of their analysis of Davidson’s internal and external environments to the college’s Board of Trustees at the board’s retreat in February 2008. These documents were intended to spark discussion and inspire creative thinking—not to present a "road map" for Davidson's future direction. February 2008
The college formed a second series of study groups to examine issues emerging from the strategic assessment process. Each group will present a preliminary report to the Board of Trustees in April 2008; final reports will be presented to President Ross in summer 2008. Spring 2008 Study Groups
- Curriculum
- Enrollment/Size of the Student Body
- Teaching and Learning
- Diversity
- Facilities
- Globalization/The Global Citizen
- Service and Community Engagement
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The president and his senior staff will compile these documents into a single, preliminary report that will be presented to the Board in October 2008. That document will then be shared with the rest of the college community. After community feedback, a final report will be presented to the Board in February 2009.
Input from the Davidson College community is key to shaping Davidson’s future. We welcome your feedback throughout the process.
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