GW’s Innovation Task Force moves forward on implementing phase two initiatives, enters phase three.
By Jamie L. Freedman
The Innovation Task Force entered phase three this summer in full swing, with $23.4 million in savings and new revenue identified toward the initiative’s $60 million goal.
Implementation planning is now underway for the top six innovation ideas generated by the GW community during phase two of the process. The following team is in place to lead the phase two initiatives:
- Building Energy Efficiency – Alicia O’Neil Knight, senior associate vice president for operations, is leading the effort to maximize energy efficiency at GW by creating a comprehensive campus capital improvements energy program.
- Executive Education - Doug Guthrie, dean of the School of Business, is overseeing the development and implementation of a series of contemporary seminars for executive education students managed by the School of Business.
- Healthy Campus - Loretta DiPietro, chair of the Department of Exercise Science, and Ed Schonfeld, senior associate vice president for administration, are spearheading a university-wide effort to deploy a comprehensive health management and wellness program for employees.
- International Summer - Donna Scarboro, associate provost for international programs, and Georgette Edmondson-Wright, director of summer sessions, are heading up efforts to develop an intensive summer community experience for international students.
- Master’s Degree in Research Administration – Murat Tarimcilar, vice dean for programs and education of the School of Business, is overseeing the creation of a new academic program in research administration.
- Retention & Trajectory to Graduation – Cheryl Beil, associate provost for academic planning and assessment, is leading efforts to enhance the GW student experience by implementing a strategic university-wide retention program.
In other ITF news, two new chairmen have taken the helm of the Exploration Committee for phase three—Ed Cherian, professor of information systems, and Peter Konwerski, senior associate vice president and dean of students. The cross-disciplinary committee meets biweekly throughout the year to discuss, evaluate and rank the numerous innovation proposals submitted by GW community members with the goal of identifying the next six top ideas to move forward on. The new co-chairmen replace David Green, assistant treasurer, and Michael King, chair of the Department of Chemistry, who expertly guided the Exploration Committee through phase two.
“We are grateful to Michael King and David Green for their time, diligence and valuable contributions and thank Ed Cherian and Peter Konwerski for coming on board to lead phase three,” said Dave Lawlor, senior associate vice president for finance and co-chairman of the ITF Steering Committee.
Ed has been extremely committed to ITF from day one. His level of commitment and passion for what the ITF can deliver makes him a prime candidate to lead us through this pivotal phase.”
“Peter is also uniquely qualified to chair the Exploration Committee,” said Mr. Lawlor. “He fell in love with the university as a student, chose to devote his career to GW, and has done an outstanding job of building upon that perspective to create an environment for students that is second to none.”
“The ITF is continuing to make great progress, Mr. Lawlor added. “We were pleased to report to the board in May that we have already identified $23.4 million in savings. $6.3 million has been budgeted for investment in FY 12. I am thrilled that the ITF is already touching the lives of many students and faculty members, having an impact on research, and engaging the entire university community. We are well on our way to innovation at GW.”