Business Advisory Council Survey Response Summary

Mark Caprio

Wednesday, January 25th, 2017

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 Business Advisory Council, Tuesday, 12/6/16, 3:00 p.m.
Conference Call (SPSC facilitator: Maxfield)

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 An electronic survey was distributed to the members of the Business Advisory Council – an engagement council that supports the PCSB in its efforts to achieve its mission and to continually improve its educational quality. The survey response rate was 44% (15 individuals) and 9 members participated in a conference call on 12/6 that allowed for further discussion of the questions.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 Summary of the survey responses:

¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 Part A: If Providence College were to be best known for one thing only within the next 10-20 years, what should it be?

¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 -Highest quality academics empowered by technology
-Technically inclusive
-Innovative
-Fin-Tech: Financial innovation
-Strong value education, quality
-“Systems Thinkers”: being able to apply concepts to other areas of intelligence
-Leaders in business & community
-Affordable for middle class families
-Ethical/Moral Development and Emotional Intelligence:
-Divine Oversight -Integrity, Character
-Mind, Body & Spirit
-Educating the whole person
-Well-rounded
-Alumni Success

¶ 6 Leave a comment on paragraph 6 0 Part B: What should be the most important measure/metric for the College’s success? Why?

¶ 7 Leave a comment on paragraph 7 0 -Define key metrics tied back to goal of success
-Alumni Success
-Graduates 5-10-15 years in their careers
-Job placement among graduates
-Diversity of careers
-Accessibility to educational programs, teachers, etc and access points
-Classroom, remote classroom, mobile access
-Startups, venture capital engagement
-ROI, proof that money spent PC education has a payback
-Application numbers

¶ 8 Leave a comment on paragraph 8 0 Part C: How can we differentiate ourselves from other similar Catholic colleges and universities? What programs/activities would be proof points of this differentiation?

¶ 9 Leave a comment on paragraph 9 0 -Producing well-rounded, spirited scholars & future leaders
-Study abroad program
-Participation in campus ministry & intramural sports
-Rethink traditional approach; apply technology & innovation to new spaces and classes
-Increase in International students
-Driving specialty niche program
-Cannot be all things to all people
-Becoming top tier college in rankings, higher endowment, become a University
-Programs emphasizing communication & consensus building
-Focus on liberal arts curriculum
-Professors teaching other areas that aren’t their focus area
-Proof of worthwhile investment
-Continue to emphasize Catholic roots
-Promotion of faculty, Fr. Shanley, and the school
-Telling our story

¶ 10 Leave a comment on paragraph 10 0 Notes from the Conference Call:

• ¶ 11 Leave a comment on paragraph 11 0
• Survey shows the themes are there, much commonality
• First two questions, much commonality; third question responses do not differentiate ourselves, rather use answers for A & B
• Differentiator – brought the liberal arts back into focus
• School is so young, and difficult to figure out authentically how to deliver how we can stand out. The responses show that any school can do this. What is specifically offered by PC? One thing to think about is the Power of the Network. Example: Trojans. How do we bring forth the alumni network as a foundational element of how our school can stand apart?
• Generally, we don’t place a high priority on advanced technology for the future. We are a residential 4-year College. We aren’t sure what place technology has. We see ourselves engaging one-on-one and small class sizes.
  • ¶ 11 Leave a comment on paragraph 11 0
  • Investment in technology for Career Ed. There is a relatively new firm with technology linking alumni with students, similar to a dating platform for facilitating mentorship between different communities.
• Maybe PC needs a strong relationship with another school or certain businesses.
• We are predominantly an undergraduate campus, with a business school, with D1 athletic program. Challenge: can you find another institution predominantly undergrad, highly selective liberal arts College, with a business school, & its religious?