Montana State University Billings
Mission Statement
The MSU Billings experience—fully embracing Access & Excellence on all levels—is characterized by:
- Strong Commitment to Teaching Excellence
- Support for Individual Learning
- Engagement in Civic Responsibility
- Intellectual, Cultural, Social & Economic Community Enhancement
Core Themes: Essential elements of the mission that collectively encompass and fulfill the mission.
Goals: The objectives we try to achieve in fulfilling the mission. The goals were developed from the campus survey on how we manifest each of the core themes.
Indicators: What we assess how we have achieved the goals.
Core Theme 1: Providing an Environment for Learning
| GOALS | INDICATORS |
| Goal 1.1 The university offers high quality academic programs | Academic programs outcomes assessment |
| Number of accredited programs | |
| Placement rates of graduates | |
| Pass rates of graduates on national certification exams. | |
| Goal 1.2 Students engage in learning | NSSE and CCSSE data on student engagement |
| Student retention rates | |
| Graduation rates | |
| Goal 1.3 Student advising meets individual needs |
Student satisfaction with advising |
| Guidance toward completion of student plans of study | |
| Assessment of student learning from the career counseling experience | |
| Goal 1.4 The campus community provides academic support for students | Services provided for student academic support |
| Services and resources provided by the Library | |
| Student satisfaction with academic support services | |
| Goal 1.5 Students engage in experiential learning | Student participation Cooperative Education internships and Academic Department internships and field experiences |
| Assessment of student learning from internships and field experiences | |
| Research opportunities for students | |
| Student participation in high-impact educational practices | |
Core Theme 2: Cultivating Teaching Excellence
| GOALS | INDICATORS |
| Goal 2.1 Instructor/student interaction is evident | Full-time to part-time faculty ratio |
| Student-instructor ratios | |
| Undergraduate student involvement in research projects with faculty and staff | |
| Student summary of interactions with faculty and staff from NSSE and CCSSE | |
| Faculty/staff perceptions of interactions with students from FSSE data | |
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| Goal 2.2 All programs of study have qualified faculty and staff | Percentage of faculty with doctorate/terminal degree |
| Success rates in promotion and tenure | |
| Faculty scholarship/Research/Creative endeavors | |
| Periodic reviews of teaching performance | |
| Goal 2.3 The university provides faculty and staff development opportunities | Funding for faculty and staff travel and research |
| Faculty and staff participation in conferences | |
| Workshops for faculty and staff development | |
| Training for instructors | |
| Goal 2.4 The university infrastructure enhances teaching excellence | Programs to promote teaching excellence |
| Equipment and classroom remodels and renovations | |
| Technology for classrooms | |
| Technology training and education for faculty and staff | |
Core Theme 3: Promoting and Engaging in Civic Responsibility
| GOALS | INDICATORS |
| Goal 3.1 Civic responsibility is infused across the curricula. | Course outcome(s) related to understanding &/or attitudes of/toward civic responsibility. |
| Course outcome(s) demonstrating civically responsible action | |
| Involvement of faculty members and disciplines in teaching service learning courses | |
| Goal 3.2 The campus community exhibits a sense of civic responsibility | Student enrollment in service learning courses and community service work study internships at non-for-profit agencies |
| Nature and variety of Service Learning Projects and outreach/public service events and programs | |
| Faculty, staff and student participation in civic engagement events and programs | |
| Range of communities, individuals and agencies served in service learning and outreach projects | |
| Programs to recognize faculty, staff & student volunteer activities | |
| Assessment of student learning from service learning activities | |
Core Theme 4: Enhancing the Community
| GOALS | INDICATORS |
| Goal 4.1 The university advances the community intellectually. | Research studies focusing on the Billings community |
| University personnel participation in community advisory groups | |
| Lectures offered to the public | |
| Outreach activities to high schools and middle schools | |
| University-sponsored events and outreach/public service programs offered each year | |
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| Goal 4.2 The university enriches the local culture. | Cultural events and outreach/public service programs offered each year |
| Student/faculty satisfaction with cultural/outreach programs | |
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| Goal 4.3 The university adds to the social community. | Participation of the public in university events |
| Offerings of community social events each year | |
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| Goal 4.4 The university contributes to the local economy. | Donations to the community |
| Partnerships with community stakeholders | |
| Graduate placement in the community | |
| Student and community participation in Career Services and other campus events | |
| Assessments of career services events from employers and students | |
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