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Foundations of Excellence® in the First College YearThe Foundations Project at UCADuring the 2005-2006 academic year, the University of Central Arkansas is participating in a pioneering project called Foundations of Excellence® in the First College Year. The Foundations of Excellence project involves its participants in an intensive self-study process that will result in an action plan to ensure that each university's approach to the vital first year of college is intentional and effective. The Foundations project will, in addition, form an important part of UCA's next application for continuing accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. UCA is part of a group of 27 colleges and universities who make up the Foundations class of 2005-2006. UCA's participation in the Foundations of Excellence project is one piece of our implementation of the university's Strategic Framework. The Foundations of Excellence project is a particularly good fit for UCA because of the university's commitment to a mission of student-centered excellence and its recognition of the vital role played by the first year of college in student success. The project's outcome will be the greater excellence of what we offer our students. The result for our students will be increased engagement in their own education, higher academic performance, better retention in the university, and higher graduation rates. The Foundations of Excellence project, developed by the Policy Center on the First Year of College with support from Lumina Foundation for Education, involves the university as a whole and is led by a broadly representative campus task force (see below). Although members of the staff of the Policy Center on the First Year of College will provide support, consultation, and advice, the project will be UCA's throughout. Process and TimelineThe Foundations of Excellence process follows a self-study model developed by the Policy Center and piloted during the 2004-2005 academic year. For a detailed overview of the process use this link: Foundations of Excellence Overview. Of central importance to the Foundations of Excellence process are the Foundational Dimensions® Statements. For these statements and their context, use this link: the nine Dimensions. For local context, see Dean Sally Roden's introductory presentation to the Foundations of Excellence Task Force (Acrobat PD file, 173 KB): Foundations at UCA: Introduction. Task ForceMembers of UCA's Foundations of Excellence Task Force were selected to ensure that the group comprises a broad representation of the university, and particularly those whose work directly touches the university's first-year students. For the Task Force and its subcommittees use this link: Task Force. ReportView or print a draft of the UCA Foundations of Excellence final report (PDF).
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