The Road to the Great UOG

In 2012, then University of Guam President Robert Underwood launched the Good to Great (G2G) initiative creating what would become the institution’s keystone and its mantra through 2018.

G2G was borne out of necessity. Financial struggles, increased competition, technological advances, and internal complacency needed to be addressed, and G2G provided the framework to help the University think about itself and its place as the only U.S.-accredited higher education institution in the region.

The University needed to change in order to not just remain relevant, but to become something greater in the years to come.

Underwood organized several meetings and committees with representatives from every group at the University. Conversations were held with students, staff, faculty, and administrators so each could understand the process and provide input and perspective in how the plan should move forward. In 2014, an Implementation Plan was released to the UOG Community.

Underwood wrote in the G2G Implementation Plan in 2014, “We must plan for our future. We must meet our mission as a University by identifying those activities in our academic programs and themes in our research and engagement that identify us as a Great University.”

The process yielded a Statement of Greatness and five major themes that would guide the University’s projects and planning over several years:

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

An institution-wide effort to improve the student experience and student success has yielded more opportunities for students than ever before. More financial aid, academic resources, and advisement is available. Triton Athletics was re-launched to bolster student life. Graduation and retention rates are higher. UOG received an additional eight years of accreditation, due in large part to G2G and its focus on students. Changes to academic programs have yielded a standardized amount of credit hours for each degree and opportunities for travel experiences and community projects for each student.

CONNECTIVITY OF THE UNIVERSITY

After reorganizing the Office of Information Technology and hiring a Chief Information Officer, the University has leveraged Guam’s unique location and its connection to high-speed underwater fiber-optic cables to join a global research network that allows fast data sharing to other research institutions all over the world. Continued improvements to Wi-Fi access and speeds prepares the University for the increased demands of the digital age. Improvements to the UOG website and the creation of the TritonGo mobile app keep Tritons more connected to UOG than ever before.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND THE CHANGING PORTFOLIO

There cannot be a “Great University of Guam” without great people.  A leadership development program for faculty was recently completed, and programs for staff and administrators are being developed. The Research Corporation of UOG makes hiring staff for grant-funded projects faster and more efficient. Now RCUOG has over 100 staff employed.

ACHIEVING FINANCIAL BALANCE AND FUNDING OUR FUTURE

Decreased support from the Government of Guam continues to be of concern, but this an issue that all state-funded higher education institutions face. It is not unique to Guam. G2G created a rubric by which to evaluate and prioritize academic and administrative programs, identifying some programs for closure or transformation. UOG continues to evaluate potential revenue generators and legislation to pursue an existence less dependent on government appropriations. RCUOG has not only facilitated the hiring of personnel and processing of purchases, its efficiency has also led to increased grant-writing by faculty and academic units. RCUOG now manages over $12 million in funds.

THE USE OF BIG DATA

Through G2G, the University has committed to create an environment of data-driven decision-making. UOG is developing an integrated data system and analytics to keep its stakeholders informed and has moved many of its processes to an electronic format.

With the map to greatness charted out, the University has been steadily making progress on a number of the more than 100 action items identified in G2G. The WASC Senior College and University Commission applauded UOG’s efforts as “ambitious” and “progressive” in its 2016 accreditation report, thus sustaining the momentum within the five focus areas for the years ahead.

“Much has been accomplished over the last five years, but the G2G process is still ongoing,” Underwood said. “The University of Guam wants to be GREAT—serving Guam and the Region with successful students and contributors to society, meaningful research, and continued engagement and involvement in current issues facing our communities.”