Sul Ross State University plans to begin a five-year institutional transformation process in partnership with the Gardner Institute, according to reporting by The Skyline, the student newspaper at Sul Ross State University.
In an email distributed to faculty and staff this week, the Office of the Provost announced the university will work with the nonprofit John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, which focuses on improving teaching, learning, retention and student completion.
The email stated the process will begin with an Institutional Transformation Assessment and a “Readiness, Willingness and Ability” survey. The survey is expected to be available by Monday, Feb. 16, and is intended to help set priorities as the university launches the initiative. Faculty and staff were also told to expect “sensemaking sessions” later in the semester, during which Gardner Institute staff will review survey results and help identify areas for improvement to inform a strategic plan centered on student success.
According to the Gardner Institute’s website, the organization works with colleges and universities nationwide to support data-driven student success efforts. Its approach includes coordinating collaborative networks, administering and evaluating surveys and helping institutions integrate long-term improvement strategies.
The Skyline’s coverage, written by Editor Maya Tinajero, notes that Sul Ross has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including enrollment and retention concerns, the loss of federal grant funding tied to Hispanic-serving institution programs, and a lawsuit filed by a senior staff member alleging gender-based salary disparities. The university’s athletics transition to NCAA Division II status also has drawn attention following a winless football season.
University officials have not publicly detailed what specific changes the five-year process will require. According to The Skyline, a request for additional clarification from the Office of the Provost did not receive a response as of publication.
