In what’s become an annual tradition under President Guiyou Huang, Western Illinois University prepared for the start of another school year with an assembly in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.
“Our university mantra for this year will be: Be bold and be unified,” Dr. Huang said during his 13-minute presentation.
“This is a big year for Western Illinois University.”
He said the focus will be on two major priorities: financial sustainability, and recruitment and retention.
Financial sustainability
Huang said WIU is among many colleges and universities facing financial challenges. He said his cabinet has been engaged in bold, future-focused decision-making for the past several months.
He said Paul Edwards, the new Vice President for Finance and Administration, has hit the ground running.
“Vice President Edwards is working with the cabinet in developing a five-year plan for a financially sustainable future for Western Illinois University, where we will not only survive but also be thriving,” Huang said.
The president said it won’t be easy at first, but he’s confident that WIU will be in a much better financial place a few years from now.
“We must be united as one in this effort,” Huang said.
Recruitment and retention
Huang said colleges across the nation are being affected by the enrollment cliff. He said WIU will be strategic and visionary with its recruitment initiatives.
“We recognize that our freshman class might not continue to grow exponentially with the prospective student numbers dwindling across the United States,” Huang said.
“Now is the time to diversify our portfolio. Western Illinois University will adapt and thrive by expanding into new markets, and by attracting a broader range of students.”
Huang said WIU will showcase its points of distinction. He listed numerous examples, such as the addition of six new online degree options last year.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, resiliency, and collaboration, so let’s all work together and bring Western into the future,” Huang said.
He urged people to reach out with ideas – big and small – to improve WIU.
“The cabinet and I welcome them all,” he said. “It takes all of us.”
After the speech
As the crowd filed out of the recital hall, Tri States Public Radio caught up with President Huang to follow up on a few points.
He told TSPR they’re looking at a number of things regarding financial sustainability: hiring practices, operational expenses, and opportunities to generate new revenue.
We asked if WIU needs to reinvent itself.
“Reinvention happens all the time. You restructure programs, restructure units,” he said.
“You have seen some structural change. There will be continued structural change at the lower level that will bring more efficiency and accountability.”
He said the cabinet is in discussions about what might be the right size for WIU.
Recent accomplishments
During his speech, Huang noted a few accomplishments from the past year:
- Construction began on the Center for Performing Arts
- Leatherneck athletics joined the Ohio Valley Conference
- WIU’s $100 million fundraising campaign nearly reached the halfway point
Bursting with anticipation and excitement
Manoochehr Zoghi, Provost and Academic Vice President, opened the assembly.
“It is a time bursting with anticipation and excitement as we welcome new and returning students to the Macomb and QC campuses and into our 40 online programs,” he said.
Zoghi said the steering committee for the academic affairs strategic plan has held listening sessions in the past several months and will hold more in the coming weeks. He said diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of the priorities.
The goal is to have a draft plan ready by October.
The provost also said student success is everyone’s priority.
“Please encourage your students to attend classes and be engaged both inside and outside the classrooms,” Zoghi said.
He said there is ample evidence that consistent attendance and engagement are tied directly to better grades and overall success.
Classes begin at WIU on Monday, August 21.
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