OHIO launches new initiative to help support faculty and implement academic programs

During the Ohio University Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, June 17, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Brad Cohen announced the launch of a new initiative, the Program Innovation Accelerator.

The final reports from the Academic Planning and Strategy subgroups and International Opportunities Think Tank recommended support for the development of innovative academic programs.

The accelerator emerged from those recommendations and is designed to help remove barriers and provide support to faculty members and departments for developing and implementing new or expanded academic programs.

“Our goal is to make this process accessible and easy to navigate, so faculty may focus on curricular design and development,” Sayrs said. “Through the Program Innovation Accelerator, faculty will be able to submit ideas and gain the support they need to make their new offerings a reality. By doing so, we will be able to continue to offer the innovative programs that future students are looking for right here at Ohio University.”

Faculty from across the University are invited to propose new program offerings and more flexible pathways to degrees that will attract students and increase opportunities for degrees and credentials on all Ohio University campuses.

All potential program ideas are encouraged to be submitted for consideration.

Ideas will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. Funding and support services will be available for programs selected for priority development by the provost’s office.

Support services will connect faculty to colleagues who can help design and enhance the new program ideas, including project management to facilitate approval at all levels of the university, state, federal, and accrediting bodies. Professional staff from areas such as enrollment, marketing, budget/finance, instructional innovation, and University Libraries, will help with design and launch of priority programs.