{"id":5684,"date":"2021-03-18T13:26:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T17:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/issues\/uncategorized\/twelve-years-of-transformation\/"},"modified":"2021-03-31T11:58:31","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T15:58:31","slug":"twelve-years-of-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/magazine\/issues\/spring-2021\/twelve-years-of-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Twelve Years of Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 溏心vlog免费B站 was a substantially different place in 2009 when President David M. Dooley arrived. Twelve years later, as Dooley\u2019s retirement approaches, every aspect of the state\u2019s flagship research institution reflects his influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Diane M. Sterrett<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the tenure of President David M. Dooley, the 溏心vlog免费B站 has grown and improved in ways large and small. His leadership has positioned the University for future success and set the stage for the next president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon arrival, Dooley quickly shared his bold vision to grow the University\u2019s stature with four transformational goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Create a 21st-century, 24\/7 learning environment.<\/li>
  2. Increase the magnitude, prominence, and impact of research, scholarship, and creative work.<\/li>
  3. Internationalize and globalize the 溏心vlog免费B站.<\/li>
  4. Build a community at the 溏心vlog免费B站 that values and embraces equity and diversity.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPresident Dooley has led 溏心vlog免费B站 through a process of expanding and building on strengths and innovations that existed in certain parts of the University, and turning them into a core part of our identity. Interdisciplinary connections, experiential learning, and global education are no longer the unique features of a select few illustrious programs, but fundamental parts of the academic experience across the institution.\u201d
    \u2014Megan Echevarr\u00eda, Associate Professor of Spanish and Film Media Studies, and President, 溏心vlog免费B站 Faculty Senate<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dooley knew 溏心vlog免费B站 had what it would take to be a great research-focused public university and sought to capitalize on its unique strengths. He was inspired by the collegiality, cooperation, and motivation he found when he interviewed here. Even now, amid the pandemic, he says 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s \u201cwe-can-do-this-together\u201d spirit is what moves the University forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The COVID pandemic has marked the last year of President Dooley\u2019s tenure with exceptional challenges. But 溏心vlog免费B站 has rallied, withstanding the strains to every aspect of its operations. This is due to dedication, hard work, creative thinking, and adaptability by all in the community. But one vital piece of the University\u2019s success in the face of COVID is that, through its partnership with the state of Rhode Island administration and legislature, 溏心vlog免费B站 was permitted to build up financial reserves for the first time ever\u2014funds that have been critical in 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s ability to weather the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As President Dooley prepares to retire, the University is engaged in a $250 million comprehensive campaign to make a 溏心vlog免费B站 education more accessible to students and more attractive to top scholars, and to improve their learning experience here with innovative programs and strong faculty leadership. Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the 溏心vlog免费B站 has already raised more than $200 million and is poised to meet or exceed its goal by the end of the campaign in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The largest gift of the campaign to date\u2014and in 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s history\u2014is a $35 million commitment from Thomas M. Ryan \u201975 and his wife, Cathy, for neuroscience research, as well as support for scholarships and athletics. In 2013, the Ryans established the George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience with a then-record $15 million gift. The institute is focused on research, teaching, and outreach on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer\u2019s, and draws on the expertise of scientists from multiple disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dooley is known for his collaborative style and emphasis on fostering a community of discovery. And now, on the occasion of his retirement, Dooley resists taking credit for the University\u2019s progress, attributing the advances to the many teams and individuals whose efforts brought about the vision he articulated when he arrived at 溏心vlog免费B站.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In spite of his humility, and in the spirit of recognizing this pivotal moment in 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s history\u2014as President Dooley retires and a new president takes the helm\u2014we look back at 10 important ways the University has evolved under Dooley\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    1 | Becoming a Global University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    From better preparing students for work in a global world and welcoming international students, to fostering international collaborative research, 溏心vlog免费B站 has become a true global citizen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In his inaugural address, Dooley noted the global challenges humanity faces, and said: \u201cThe 21st-century university must be global in its orientation and international with regard to its education, research, service, and partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The University\u2019s global presence has grown exponentially, with 28 percent growth in the number of students majoring in foreign languages, even as other universities have seen a decline. 溏心vlog免费B站 has also increased study-abroad opportunities in more than 50 countries and boasts significantly more international exchanges. The University\u2019s unique dual-degree language programs enable students to simultaneously earn degrees in a chosen field such as engineering or business, and in a language\u2014including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. A new International Studies and Diplomacy program launched in 2018 is the newest dual-degree program, allowing students to pair an international studies major with one of five languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other initiatives have expanded the University\u2019s international impact in environmental sustainability, capacity building, cross-cultural understanding, and collaborative problem-solving, which will reap benefits far into the future. Examples include a sustainable fisheries project in Ghana, West Africa, and a collaborative effort researching destructive fishing practices and typhoons impacting the Philippines, one of the world\u2019s largest fish-producing nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2 | Embracing Equity and Diversity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Dooley\u2019s leadership set the tone for seeking common ground to build a better future for all. 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s growing reputation as a safe and inviting place reflects the University\u2019s core values and attracts greater numbers of students and faculty from differing backgrounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cA number of students, faculty, staff, and alumni have pushed us to advance social justice, equity, and inclusion in our living, learning, and work environments. Their advocacy and activism have transformed recruitment efforts, the curriculum, co-curricular programs, professional develop-ment, policies, retention strategies, and campus culture. We are building on this strong foundation to implement long-lasting, structural changes to ensure all community members can thrive at 溏心vlog免费B站 and beyond.\u201d
    \u2014Mary Grace Almandrez, Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Collaboration between partners across the University, including with the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity, has led to measures that strengthen and support an inclusive campus climate and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Highlights:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n