The Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts (HCSLA) plays an active role in advancing Learner Advancement and Success within NJIT's 2030 Strategic Plan. The objectives and selected actions below are drawn from the University's strategic plan and highlight areas where HCSLA supports their implementation.

Objective 1

Promote student learning, equity, and achievement across all delivery modalities through revolutionized learning experiences and groundbreaking technologies.

Select Actions:

  • Infuse technology across our educational enterprise, with a focus on emerging technologies such as generative AI, ensuring that all learners are exposed to and equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for post-graduation success.
  • Implement a consistent and strategic approach to delivery modalities that enhances flexibility for all learners while ensuring academic quality.

Progress

  • Increased the number of programs within the College that have clearly defined and articulated learning objectives to approximately 100%.
  • Increased the number of programs that have clearly defined and articulated assessment plans to approximately 100%.
  • Transitioned MATH 107/108 homework delivery to the online open educational resource (OER) platform MyOpenMath, replacing handwritten assignments.
  • Diversified first-year writing assessments to include voice memos, infographics, and video essays alongside traditional written work.
  • Maintained tutoring access across various modalities in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and writing, including weekend and evening sessions.
  • Developed cross-departmental strategies to address rising generative-AI use among students, including instructional redesign intended to promote critical thinking regarding emerging technologies.
     

Objective 2

Make experiential learning the hallmark of an NJIT education by expanding opportunities and ensuring that every NJIT student participates in at least one high-impact experiential learning practice before graduation.

Select Actions:

  • Establish a clear and visible administrative structure charged to develop, administer, and promote engagement in experiential learning.
  • Increase participation in international learning opportunities through strategic partnerships with higher education institutions.
  • Foster interaction and engagement to enrich intellectual and cultural experiences for all students.

Progress

  • Increased the total number of degree programs offering experiential and/or capstone learning opportunities.
  • Increased enrollment in existing experiential learning and capstone courses within the College.
  • Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of all programs within the College to identify existing experiential and capstone learning opportunities as well as to increase the number of programs offering such opportunities.
  • Established a partnership with the University of Parma.

Objective 3:

Develop a holistic campus experience that supports the well-being of learners through enhanced student services, wellness, and quality of campus life.

Select Actions:

  • Enhanced student well-being.

Progress

  • Increased financial support for student and department clubs.
  • Increased number of events hosted within Jim Wise Theater.
  • Completed a two-year transition of the Writing Center to a primarily peer-tutor staffing model, emphasizing human, non-algorithmic mentoring as a counterpoint to AI generated feedback.
  • Formalized peer-tutor training structures to support new tutors at the Writing Center.
  • Expanded peer-led study groups in physics tutoring.
  • Enhanced the training of teaching assistants in first-year math courses to improve the student experience.

Objective 4:

Increase the engagement and retention of a diverse student population through enhanced mentorship and guidance.

Select Actions:

  • Create pathways for graduates of the Center for Pre-College Programs to attend NJIT and strengthen the connection between pre-college and university experiences.
  • Enhance recruitment strategies for traditionally underserved communities.
  • Conduct a critical review of first-year offerings to inform strategic modifications to courses and support services available to first-year students, thereby ensuring a smoother transition to college and awareness and use of academic resources.

Progress

  • Increased undergraduate enrollment by ~300 (± 50) students, to a goal of approximately 1,150 total undergraduate matriculants.
  • Increased graduate enrollment by ~100 (± 25) students, to a goal of approximately 200 total graduate matriculants.
  • Increased the total number of courses included within the College’s STEM gateway courses initiative.
  • Increased the pass rate (i.e., the percent of students receiving a final grade of a C or above) of continuing and transfer students in gateway courses.
  • Increased the enrollment in pre-college course offerings.
  • Increased the number of students from traditionally underserved communities pursuing STEM degrees at NJIT.
     
  • Implemented discipline-specific strategies in STEM gateway courses to improve and promote student success.
  • Launched a calculus readiness assessment in mathematics gateway courses to identify and address gaps in students' mathematics knowledge.
  • Coordinated recitation sections across mathematics gateway courses to strengthen foundational math skills.
  • Redesigned physics recitations to promote active learning.
  • Implemented early diagnostics to identify at-risk students.
  • Piloted a faculty-led outreach effort in the first-year seminars to bolster math study skills.
  • Instituted mandatory tutoring center visits to create engagement and address deficiencies in foundational knowledge.
  • Restructured first-year writing curriculum to better align with the program goals of NJIT's general education requirements.
  • Introduced a new process for math placement to ensure proper placement in first-year math courses.

Objective 5:

Achieve a reputation for excellence and become nationally and internationally recognized for student achievements.

Select Actions:

  • Strengthen support for student awards, competitions, and activities to facilitate successful student participation in such activities.
  • Communicate and catalog student achievements strategically to attract future students.

Progress

  • Quantified and created benchmarks for physical and digital marketing and branding campaigns for academic programs within the College.
  • Increased the number of student nominations for prestigious awards/fellowships within the College.
  • Increased the number of College students conferred prestigious awards/fellowships.
  • Prestigious student awards included a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a Fulbright award, a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology award, a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) research internship, a Gilman Scholarship, a GEM fellowship, an NIH intramural research training award, and a Critical Language Scholarship from the American Institute of Asian Studies.