A week after introducing herself to Stanislaus State’s Class of 2020, President Ellen Junn shared what she’s accomplished during her first 60 days in office and her vision for the university’s future at the school’s Fall Convocation.
Junn kicked off the convocation, which in years prior was known as the President’s Fall Address, by asking the audience to get involved. A number of questions were made available to the audience on the downloadable smartphone app Poll Everywhere, allowing the students, faculty and staff members, city leaders and others in attendance to participate in real time during Junn’s address.
“This convocation address is not simply me talking at you,” said Junn, “but I want to find out a little bit more about the campus.”
The audience let Junn know about them through their answers, including their favorite color, where they were born and what one word they would use to describe Stanislaus State. The word “community” was selected by many in the audience.
“When I came to this campus, I immediately felt that sense of community,” said Junn.
Junn shared with the crowd what she’s been up to since her first day as president on July 1, which included moving into her new Turlock home, participating in the Downtown Turlock Fourth of July Parade, attending the 5th World Lagomorph Conference and visiting the university’s Stockton Center.
On top of all her activities, Junn also shared what she has accomplished as president so far, including meeting over 675 new people (and gaining 230 Twitter followers), meeting with Senate Executive members and union leaders and establishing regular meetings to discuss pertinent campus issues, creating a Presidential Transition Team which will host five facilitated forums this fall and also beginning work on a new University Strategic Plan.
Another goal that Junn has promoted during her first 60 days is the aspiration that all Stanislaus State students graduate in four years. Currently, 12 percent of Stanislaus State freshmen graduate in four years; 66 percent graduate in six years. Junn’s targeted percentage of freshmen who graduate in four years is 37 percent by 2025 – something she hopes will happen thanks to $1 million recently awarded to the university by the state legislature.
In the coming years, Junn also plans to promote student success and graduation by both identifying elements of successful programs to scale up to more students and enhancing student advising and mentoring. Junn emphasized the importance of faculty support on campus as well, and plans to enhance their support for innovations in learning and teaching activities as well as improving technology to reduce support staff’s workload.
Continuing to bridge the gap between the university and community is also on Junn’s to-do list, which she hopes to accomplish by building strong partnerships with business, government, civic, artistic and non-profit leaders. Junn hopes to spread the word about Stanislaus State through future marketing campaigns which highlight the campus’ strengths and achievements.
Junn ended the Fall Convocation with one final audience poll.
“Are you excited and ready to roll up your sleeves and get started on making Stanislaus State an even more visible, distinctive and outstanding campus” she asked, to which the audience responded with an overwhelming yes.
