PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming university leadership meeting

Your consulting efforts have gone well thus far. You have been asked however to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming university leadership meeting. The university president will preside over the meeting and all the major school leaders will be in attendance. Because the alumni association and a number of other important university contributors have weighed in heavily in terms of urging the university to continue to try to innovate, change, and grow out of fears that the university will no longer be relevant. You are anticipating a significant collision between the expectations of a rather traditional faculty and the desired change on behalf of the university leadership and alumni. To that end, this PowerPoint presentation is designed to talk about this potential chasm and specifically the steps that can be taken to avoid the altogether crippling effect of scholarly disengagement. Your presentation should include the following:
• Component 1: Introduction: An overview of the potential for scholarly disengagement and an articulation of how it can emerge in the face of the desire for this type of change (3- slides)
• Component 2: Describe from a faculty standpoint why disengagement can happen and the impact it has on an institution of higher education (2-slides)
• Component 3: In this section articulate the steps the university can take to avoid scholarly disengagement (6- slides)
• Component 4: Conclusion: In this conclusion you’ll offer a synthesis of these main points (2-slides)

Full Answer Section

     

Component 3: Building Bridges

Slide 6: Open Communication & Shared Vision

  • Image: Two people shaking hands across a table, representing open communication

  • Bullet Points:

    • Transparent communication about goals, rationale, and timelines
    • Collaborative development of change initiatives
    • Regular feedback mechanisms and open dialogue
  • Speaker Notes: Fostering open communication and shared ownership is critical. University leadership must clearly articulate the purpose and benefits of proposed changes, actively seek faculty input, and create a culture of open dialogue where concerns can be addressed constructively.

Slide 7: Respecting Autonomy & Values

  • Image: A professor lecturing passionately to a class of engaged students

  • Bullet Points:

    • Acknowledge and respect established academic freedom and autonomy
    • Focus on supportive measures rather than top-down directives
    • Celebrate diverse perspectives and approaches
  • Speaker Notes: Recognizing the value of faculty expertise and respecting their autonomy is crucial. Instead of imposing mandates, the focus should be on providing resources, support, and opportunities for faculty to engage in the change process in ways that align with their values and expertise.

Slide 8: Focusing on Incentives & Rewards

  • Image: A professor receiving an award, symbolizing recognition and reward

  • Bullet Points:

    • Create clear incentives and rewards for engagement with change initiatives
    • Recognize and celebrate faculty contributions to innovation and progress
    • Offer opportunities for professional development and growth
  • Speaker Notes: Recognizing and rewarding positive engagement can go a long way. This can include providing funding for research aligned with institutional goals, offering professional development opportunities relevant to the changes, and publicly acknowledging faculty contributions to the success of the initiatives.

Sample Answer

   

PowerPoint Presentation: Navigating Change & Avoiding Scholarly Disengagement

Component 1: Introduction

Slide 1: Title Slide

  • Title: Bridging the Gap: Navigating Change & Avoiding Scholarly Disengagement
  • Image: Photo of a university campus with students and faculty interacting
  • Speaker Notes: Good morning, university leadership. Today, we'll discuss the potential for scholarly disengagement in the face of institutional change and explore strategies to navigate this challenge effectively.

Slide 2: The Looming Chasm

  • Image: Two mountains forming a chasm with a bridge connecting them

  • Bullet Points:

    • Rising pressure for innovation and change in higher education
    • Concerns about relevance and future viability
    • Potential for faculty disengagement due to perceived threats