FROM P R E S ID EN T S H A L L |
J O S E P H E . N Y R E , P h . D.
Serving Students and the State
A
hallmark of the Seton Hall community is our
assessed, and a point of pride throughout the University.
desire to grow in significant ways. We seek
Adding more than two dozen tenure-track professors
to expand the breadth and reach of our Great
will amplify our already strong reputation for
Minds so we will be better tomorrow than
instructional excellence.
we are today. Guided by Harvest Our Treasures, we are
instructional vs. non-instructional expenses. That means a
more robust, more responsive and more meaningful for
greater percentage of our budget will go directly to teach-
our students.
ing and learning, while a smaller percentage will be spent
We recently set in motion a major initiative that will strengthen teaching and learning. Called Seeds
on administration and other non-instructional areas. Also, faculty members are developing creative new
of Innovation, this effort will enhance the Academy
ways to tap the power of our community’s limitless
in powerful ways. First and foremost, we are hiring
potential. They are proposing a host of educational
30 new faculty members — almost all of whom will be
initiatives, which we call Academies, that are eligible
full-time, tenure-track professors. That level of hiring
for seed funding from the University. Academies focus
is uncommon at any university, and especially rare at
on teaching, learning and research. They integrate
a school of our size. Yet we hope this will be the first of
knowledge through collaborative, innovative and
several years in which we welcome a substantial number
cross-disciplinary learning. To date, seven Academies
of new colleagues.
and three other interdisciplinary projects have
Fortifying our faculty is the single most effective way
started, or will begin shortly. In all, at least 75
to enhance the educational experience for students. Seton
professors are pursuing new endeavors through
Hall professors are teacher-scholars. They are experts
this exciting initiative.
in their fields and conduct research at a very high level.
As we invest in students inside the classroom, we
Yet they understand academic research is not an end in
are likewise investing in them outside the classroom
itself. New knowledge is only valuable to the extent it is
through major campus improvements. The two largest
shared. And for that, teaching must take precedence.
projects — an addition to Boland Hall and the total
Our faculty has a deep commitment to teaching and
2
These hires are part of Seton Hall’s effort to rebalance
making strategic investments to ensure the University is
renovation of the University Center — are proceeding
learning. Delivering quality instruction is emphasized
apace. In a visible and tangible way, these projects are
much more at Seton Hall than at other institutions.
meaningful expressions of Seton Hall’s commitment to
It is the highest metric on which our professors are
all aspects of the student experience.
