focus on the FUTURE

In August 2022 Lipscomb University rolled out the Impact 360 strategic plan. Much like the deliberate, step-by-step procedure of the scientific method, Lipscomb’s Impact 360 is a step-by-step process to align the university community under a clear and unifying mission and carry out a plan toward a common vision for the future.

Since the first moments the strategic plan began to develop in 2021, rigorous academics, and specifically research, have been a major focus of discussion. In its roll-out year, much change has occurred and many new milestones have been achieved, kick-starting Impact 360’s aspirational goal to:

“Promote meritorious research and scholarly productivity enabling the transition from a doctoral/professional university to a high research activity university.”

The 2022-23 year has brought a number of measurable steps forward within the tactics devised to pursue this goal, which in practice means striving to meet the criteria for the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Carnegie

Classification of R2: Doctoral UniversityHigh Research Activity.

An administrative infrastructure has been developed to promote research, scholarly activity and creativity through the creation of various new roles within the Office of Research and Grants, established under the umbrella of the Provost’s Office in spring 2022.

In October, Dr. Trace Hebert was appointed as Lipscomb’s new associate provost of research and graduate studies. He was charged to oversee the Office of Research and Grants, support processes such as Lipscomb’s Institutional Review Board, to manage the Impact 360 goals related to research, lead and provide strategic direction in managing graduate programs and collaborate on marketing initiatives for graduate programs.

As the founding and continuing director of Lipscomb’s Doctor of Education program and professor of educational leadership since 2010, Hebert has extensive experience establishing graduate-level, research-based programs, including personally mentoring

Lipscomb’s education doctorate students working on their dissertation research. Prior to Lipscomb, Hebert served in leadership roles at Rochester College, Specs Howard School of Media Arts, Faulkner University and Northeastern Christian Jr. College.

Since the fall of 2021, the Office of Research and Grants has also added Robyn Saakian, director; Susan Lloyd, coordinator and compensation analyst; Rebecca Johns, director of academic finance; a responsible conduct in research coordinator position; and a research integrity officer position.

In addition, the office’s new online resources promote research administration and compliance best practices that support excellence and quality for the research environment.

A new University Research Council has been created to consolidate key stakeholders and highlight research strengths and focus areas across disciplines. Council members represent each college on campus with rotating three-year terms.