2024 Fall Kickoff sets bold vision in motion for Augusta University

“Do we dare to dream boldly?”

With that question, Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, EdD, set the tone for the start of the fall semester.

On Monday, Aug. 12, hundreds of faculty and staff attended the newly reimagined Fall Kickoff event at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre on the Summerville Campus. Keen, one of the architects of AU’s strategic plan, Creating a Legacy Like No Other, unveiled his refined vision and how it will guide the university forward in achieving its goals:

• Research: R1 Carnegie Research Classification and NIH Top 60 medical school ranking
• Student Success: 16,000 students by 2030
• Community Engagement: Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Acknowledging the hard work that will be necessary to reach each goal, Keen called on faculty and staff to join him in his mission of creating a culture of integrity, accountability and excellence at AU.

“Now is the time to rise up and rally behind one another. Rally behind our students,” he said. “I want all of you to hear me loud and clear: I know it starts with me, but it also starts with you. Your attitudes, your mindset, your passion. It starts with all of us.”

Research

NIH Top 60 medical school ranking by 2030

Recognizing that moving up in the rankings of NIH funding requires the university to have more researchers funded by the government agency, Keen said the way forward depends largely on building more labs to create places for new researchers to conduct their work.

“We have some of the most productive faculty in the country as it pertains to research productivity. Our only limitation is space,” he said, adding that he has spent a significant part of his first month in office reaching out to stakeholders and potential donors for support in his mission of breaking ground on a new research building. “We will leave no stone unturned in accomplishing this.”

Over the next three years, the university will also pursue hiring 30 basic research scientists at the Medical College of Georgia, recruiting top-tier talent in fields that will significantly enhance our research capabilities and advance knowledge in critical areas of study.

R1 Carnegie Research Classification

To achieve R1 designation, at least 70 research doctoral degrees need to be conferred annually. Toward that goal, the College of Education and Human Development aims to double its EdD enrollment by Fall 2026.

Student Success

16,000 students enrolled by 2030

In October 2023, AU surpassed the 10,000-student mark with its largest-ever freshman class. It was an achievement that elicited a university-wide celebration, but Keen predicted it wouldn’t be the last major milestone.

“We are kicking off another academic year that will be a timeline moment in Augusta University’s history,” Keen said.

After enrolling 10,546 in Fall 2023, AU leadership has set its sights on reaching at least 11,000 students in Fall 2024. Although Susan Davies, EdD, executive vice president of Enrollment and Student Affairs, cautioned enrollment data will not be official for this semester until October or November, she shared that preliminary numbers point to another year worth celebrating.

“I hope you can take great pride in our preliminary data,” she said as faculty and staff applauded. “Nine years of increases in enrollment, including during a pandemic, is unparalleled. We are well on our way to our goals.”

Jenessa Ducelus, president of the Student Government Association, shared the SGA’s excitement for its plans to open a new Open Paws Food Pantry location at the University Village, and goals to increase financial support for registered student organizations.

Stepan Budkin, the Graduate Student Government Association comptroller, shared the GSA’s plans to focus on building a positive campus experience for graduates attending AU.

The spirit of giving was not lost on the audience, including Keen.

“All of us have a role in student success,” he emphasized. “Every interaction matters. It matters how you show up. It matters how you interact with the person passing by. Sharpen yourselves, your senses, your skills and your enthusiasm. Be an indispensable person for Augusta University, to make us better, and better, and better, until we are the absolute best and people know it, because they know you.”

Faculty Success

Jennifer C. Sullivan, PhD, interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, began her portion of the kickoff with a nod to everyone in the room.

“We could not bring in one student, let alone more than 11,000, if not for our faculty and staff,” she said.

Sullivan, who also serves as dean of The Graduate School, emphasized the focus of the Office of the Provost on making sure faculty have the resources that they need to develop and succeed.

Areas of focus for the year ahead will include the Center for Instructional Innovation’s certificate offerings for faculty development, Provost Learning Communities, Teaching with Technology workshops, the launch of a faculty toolkit for student success, a new faculty development hub, Center for Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) training for mentors, the expansion of Augusta University Online offerings and expanding the University Libraries’ resources with a focus on faculty research.

Sullivan also highlighted the tenures and promotions of more than 70 faculty in the past year:

• 17 faculty awarded tenure
• 3 faculty promoted to research scientists
• 1 faculty promoted to senior research scientist
• 3 faculty promoted to assistant professors
• 39 faculty promoted to associate professors
• 28 faculty promoted to professors

Many faculty were recognized for their outstanding teaching and achievements this past spring as well.

Tianna Curry-McCoy, PhD, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor in the College of Allied Health Sciences, said in the upcoming year, the senate will look at the implementation of its new promotion and tenure policies, increased recognition of service, faculty salary and more.

Staff Success

Staff council chair Rich Rogers, a web developer for AU, said the council is looking to expand upon the strong turnout for the USG Staff Council Conference AU hosted in October 2023 with the introduction of a new professional development event in FY 2025. Additionally, the council would continue to host its Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series and annual Paws for Staff Appreciation Day.

Community Engagement

A key focus of Creating a Legacy Like No Other has been the emphasis on community engagement and cementing AU’s integral role in Richmond and Columbia Counties and the greater Central Savannah River Area. Keen emphasized the distinctive ways AU can increase its community impact by helping to improve the health care outcomes of Georgia’s populations.

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates roughly 57% of medical residents who completed residency training from 2011-20 remained in the state where they completed their residencies. That holds true in Georgia, where nearly 50% of the Medical College of Georgia’s alumni have remained to practice.

Keen’s vision for the university is to increase the number of Georgia physicians and dentists through its expansion to the Savannah area. Additionally, he is working with Wellstar leadership through the Wellstar MCG Health partnership to increase health care access.

“The Power of Belief”

To propel faculty and staff forward into his bold vision for the future, Keen looked to the past, paying tribute to physician Milton Antony. Antony’s advocacy led to the founding of the Medical Academy of Georgia in 1828, which would become the 13th medical school in the U.S. and the 5th public medical school to be established. Keen celebrated the power of Antony’s belief in the need for the future Medical College of Georgia, emphasizing that “monumental feats start as ideas.”

For Keen, the monumental feat at hand is one he is calling on everyone at Augusta University to join him in turning into a reality.

“Join me in the belief that Augusta University will become the best university in America. I believe that we’ll be the best. I believe that we’ll be the best in student success. I believe we’ll be the best in faculty satisfaction and fulfillment. I believe that we will be the best in research. I believe that we will be the best university in providing talented, critical thinking graduates to the workforce, our community, our state and beyond.” he said. “Belief is not about denying reality, but about shaping it.”