UA Little Rock Chancellor Speaks on Strategic Affordable Education Plan

UA Little Rock Unveils New Strategic Plan to Promote Sustainable Development Goals

UA Little Rock recently unveiled an ambitious new strategic plan to make the college more affordable and attractive for students around the state. The college’s chancellor, Dr. Christina Drale, answered some of AMP’s questions about the plan, which will be in effect until 2028.

Key Takeaways of the New Strategic Plan

1. The primary motivation for developing the plan was to bring all stakeholders together on the fundamental purpose of the institution and prioritize goals that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. The plan focuses on providing access to an excellent and affordable education that facilitates social mobility.
3. The plan reflects the role and scope of UA Little Rock as a regional comprehensive research university and addresses the current landscape for higher education.

Reaction to the Plan and Tuition Slashes

• The response to the plan has been positive, with the affordability initiatives being well-received.
• The Half-Off Scholarship implemented in 2020 has been successful, with 991 full-time, first-time freshmen benefiting from it.
• Freshmen admission for fall 2024 has increased by forty-one percent.

Becoming One of the Most Affordable Public Universities

• The college aims to make a college education more accessible and affordable for students, especially those facing financial strain.
• Efforts to meet fundraising goals have been successful, and the strategic plan provides focus and clarity for future fundraising efforts.

Expectations for 2028

• UA Little Rock expects to see a vibrant, welcoming, and growing institution with well-supported high-demand programs, an expanding research portfolio, and strong community partnerships.
• The plan aims to increase the number of students obtaining a college credential in central Arkansas.

The Five Goals of the Plan

1. Access: Providing access to transformative educational experiences that are affordable, versatile, and relevant.
2. Experience: Enhancing the overall student experience through quality education and support services.
3. Attainment: Increasing student success and graduation rates.
4. Research: Expanding research initiatives and leveraging the university’s role as a research institution.
5. Community Engagement: Identifying and addressing the needs of the local, state, and national communities through strategic partnerships.

Data Collection and Improvement Areas

• The college plans to collect data on students, particularly online, to improve learning outcomes and assess the efficacy of different teaching approaches.
• Identifying community needs is achieved through close relationships with stakeholders, advisory councils, and strategic partnerships.

Operational Viability and Collaboration

• The plan involves ten component teams representing different functional areas of the university, ensuring that each team develops a strategic plan aligned with the institutional goals.
• The component teams collaborate across teams as appropriate to ensure operational viability, relevance, and accountability.

Feature Photo by Benjamin Krain | UA Little Rock Chancellor Christy Drale

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the strategic plan of UA Little Rock to make college education more affordable and accessible. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The focus on affordability also addresses SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities by ensuring equal access to education. Additionally, the article mentions partnerships with external stakeholders, such as The Venture Center and the Chamber of Commerce, which relates to SDG 17, emphasizing the importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education.
• SDG 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

The article highlights the goal of providing access to an excellent and affordable education, which aligns with SDG 4.3. The implementation of scholarships and tuition reductions, such as the Trojan Guarantee Scholarship and the Half-Off Scholarship, contributes to SDG 10.1 by aiming to make education more affordable for students from all income levels. The partnerships with external stakeholders mentioned in the article demonstrate efforts towards SDG 17.16, as UA Little Rock collaborates with organizations to enhance community engagement and address local, state, and national needs.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of students benefiting from the Half-Off Scholarship and the Trojan Guarantee Scholarship
• Percentage change in freshmen admission
• Amount of funds raised through fundraising campaigns
• Number of high-demand programs offered
• Number of community partnerships established

The article mentions that 991 full-time, first-time freshmen have received the Half-Off Scholarship since 2021, indicating the number of students benefiting from this affordability initiative. The significant uptick in interest from freshmen for fall 2024 also serves as an indicator of progress in increasing access to education. The success of fundraising campaigns, such as the previous capital campaign and the ongoing one, can be measured by the amount of funds raised. The growth of high-demand programs and the establishment of community partnerships can also be tracked as indicators of progress towards the identified targets.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: armoneyandpolitics.com