The College of Professional Studies continues to provide high-quality programs to students pursuing education in various disciplines, particularly emerging and growing professions, Ali Eskandarian, dean of the College of Professional Studies and GW’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus, told members of the Faculty Senate on Friday.
CPS, which enrolls a diverse group of students in various bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs, has grown since its establishment, receiving grants, becoming an important presence in Virginia and creating institutes such as the AT&T Center for Indigenous Politics and Policy. The college has both full- and part-time faculty, including professionals who are leaders in their fields.
Students, in turn, have given CPS “high marks” when it comes to their academic experiences and quality of classroom instruction, among other aspects, Dr. Eskandarian said, and they go on to earn prominent roles in their desired areas.
Dr. Eskandarian added that CPS has many opportunities in its future, including the fact that research has shown millennials rate training and development as critical to their professional development. The university also continues to track industries that are growing or in demand.
“We need to pay attention to these trends if we want to be relevant,” he said.
Some challenges include unpredictability in the economy, competition from other universities with similar programs and taking risks.
“None of these challenges is insurmountable,” Dr. Eskandarian said.
Also on Friday, the Faculty Senate recognized George Washington President Steven Knapp and outgoing Executive Committee Chair Charles Garris, honoring them with resolutions addressing their distinguished service and leadership to GW.
Charles Garris and George Washington President Steven Knapp. Both were honored on Friday for their service. (Logan Werlinger/GW Today)
Joseph Cordes, chair of the Faculty Senate's Fiscal Planning and Budgeting Committee, also gave an update on the university’s debt strategy.
The university invests capital in projects that will enhance the overall value of a GW education and the student experience, or to generate positive cash flow to fund current or future strategic projects. Its approach has garnered high marks and a stable outlook from leading credit rating agencies, including Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. GW also has taken advantage of low interest rates, and all of its debt has a fixed rate, which controls risk and unpredictability.
The university’s debt in fiscal 2016 stood at $1.7 billion.
Later, in his remarks, Dr. Knapp updated the Faculty Senate on Commencement planning and speakers and said the Making History campaign continues to progress steadily toward its $1 billion goal ahead of schedule. He also mentioned the recent Power & Promise dinner, saying there is nothing more important the university can do than to support its students with scholarships and financial aid. Dr. Knapp also thanked Dr. Garris for his service, and said Dr. Garris has done a great job maintaining a “steady ship” during his tenure as chair of the Executive Committee.
In other Faculty Senate news:
- Faculty passed a resolution recommending the adoption of guidelines for exercising and defending academic freedom.
- Faculty approved the nomination of nine faculty members to serve on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for 2017-18 and elected Sylvia Marotta-Walters, professor of counseling and human development, as the new Executive Committee chair, replacing Dr. Garris. “The pleasure that I’ve had serving as the chair of your Executive Committee has been the opportunity to work with so many great people,” Dr. Garris said, thanking faculty members and administrators, including Dr. Knapp, and the Board of Trustees.
- Provost Forrest Maltzman reminded faculty about the start of Inside GW days and the upcoming opening of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design’s NEXT thesis exhibition, which starts Wednesday.
