UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — “Transforming Education” will be the topic of the next in a series of public forums focused on implementing the University’s multi-year Strategic Plan. The forum will take place 1-2:30 p.m. March 22 in Room 100 (Multi-Purpose Room) of the Perkins Student Center at Penn State Berks.

Faculty, staff and students from across the University are invited to participate, either in person or via livestream. To watch via livestream, go to the event page online: strategicplan.psu.edu/events/berks-032217. Community members also can participate by sending questions or comments to strategicplan@psu.edu, and putting “Transforming Education” in the subject line, or by tweeting, using the hashtag #PSUplan.

“By hosting this forum, Penn State Berks is promoting vital discussion of our Strategic Plan and its thematic priorities," said R. Keith Hillkirk, chancellor of Penn State Berks. "This event offers a valuable opportunity for dialogue about how the University will be a leader in the transformation of higher education, including access to it, at Berks and other Penn State campus communities across the Commonwealth.”

The forum will include an overview of the Strategic Plan implementation process and key ideas and initiatives being considered that relate to Transforming Education. Participants will have time to ask questions and offer comments.

Among the ideas, questions and opportunities to be discussed during this forum are:

• Advancing Student Success. How can we use learning analytics, engage students across the University and partner more effectively with K-12 schools to facilitate higher levels of achievement for learners at Penn State?
• Transforming the teaching and learning environment. How can we best pursue pedagogical innovation, curricular integration and experimentation with unique educational spaces to drive meaningful changes to the typical approaches to teaching and learning?
• Providing professional development for all instructors. How can we ensure educators have opportunities to advance their learning about instructional design resources and pedagogical trends in higher education?

“We have many ideas for Penn State-led programs and initiatives that would advance our institutional focus on transforming education,” said steering committee co-chair Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for undergraduate education. “We are eager to share these thoughts with the University community to get their reactions and solicit additional recommendations.”

Steering committee member Renata Engel, interim vice provost for online education, added, “Our approach builds on our strong tradition of working as one University to provide a world-class education and drives us to be more integrated and flexible. The forum at Penn State Berks will enable us to engage individuals in the plan implementation process and received informed feedback, which is essential to identifying initiatives we ultimately should pursue in support of the Strategic Plan.”

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Office of Planning and Assessment are co-hosting the strategic planning forums. For more information, visit strategicplan.psu.edu/events.