Strategic Initiatives Task Force

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

-St. Francis of Assisi

The Strategic Initiatives Task Force is aimed at strengthening the University of St. Francis for a bright and sustainable future. After a period of considerable change during the fall 2025 semester, USF is now concentrating on planning for long-term stability and new enrollment growth.

Three groups within the task force have been created to address different elements of our academic reorganization efforts, to help position USF for growth and sustainability moving forward.  All of USF’s vice presidents will be available for input and consultation as called upon by each group as necessary, but none are formal members of any task force group.

All groups have been asked to produce a report to the Task Force Co-Chairs and USF President Ryan Hendrickson in January 2026, as outlined below.

Strategic Initiatives Task Force Co-Chairs:

  • Annette Jelinek (Administrators & Staff Council Chair)
  • Dr. Sudipta Roy (Academic Assembly Chair)

Group A: Academic Programs and Enrollment Growth

This group’s primary task is to examine our academic offerings in manner that positions the University of St. Francis for enrollment growth and strong retention moving forward. This group is also charged with examining how the university adapts to the forthcoming changes in the USF workforce.

Questions to be Examined

Among the set of questions to be examined are the following:

  • How can we structure an Honors Program that attracts high-achieving students and is cost effective? How can Duns Scotus be revised to achieve this end?
  • What existing programs have the best prospects for enrollment growth while utilizing existing faculty and resources?
  • How can we infuse Catholic, Franciscan values into academic disciplines? For example, can courses be created in Franciscan Business Ethics, or Franciscan Health Care, or Franciscan Approaches to Teaching, that may meet General Education requirements?
  • Is there a different way to teach quantitative literacy that gives students applied math skills within their academic programs/professional disciplines that is different from traditional Math courses and meets a General Education requirement?
  • How do we make “double majors” more achievable at USF? Can we reduce the number of required credit hours for majors that are more in line with our peers? Can we expand the number of accelerated programs?
  • How do we become more transfer-friendly?

Aimed timeline for group report: January 30, 2026

  • Brigitte Bell
  • Shannon Brown (Group Chair)
  • Cara Currier
  • Rachel Dobrich-Ruffetti
  • Erin Evans
  • Anna Iones
  • Annette Jelinek
  • Brady Jones
  • Beth McDermott
  • Yvonna Miller
  • Syd Sklar
  • Gino Vaccarella
  • Steve Wettergren
  • Jeanne Washburn
  • Jackie Wittke-Thompson

Group B: Institutional Organization

In light of our faculty workforce reductions, we must evaluate our institutional organizational framework. Among the issues to be addressed is whether our colleges are organized in a cost-effective manner? Is the current chair model cost effective? Do we need separate disciplinary chairs in light of our size? What other institutional adaptations should be considered? Are there other organizational/institutional changes that should be considered?

St. Clare campus

Aimed timeline for group report: January 1, 2026

  • Deborah Glenn
  • Stephen Midlock
  • Maria Martinez
  • Sudipta Roy
  • Michael Stowe (Group Chair)
  • David Veenstra
  • Tim Weldon
  • Trina Zeitz

Group C: Policy Manual Reconsiderations

Our Policy Manual includes a variety of regulations and guidelines that arguably limit our ability to evolve and progress quickly. In addition, USF has implemented policies and certain programs that are no longer financially feasible. In light of a challenging financial environment, what policy changes need to occur in order to protect the university’s financial health, which would include evaluation of our current retirement plan match options, and our early retirement program for faculty?  Do we have other policies that no longer fit the needs of a modern university, including current classroom student limitations and limitations on faculty composition? 

Aimed timeline for group report: January 30, 2026

  • Ashley Carter
  • Cedricka Carver
  • Jennifer Ethridge (Group Chair)
  • Anastasios Goulos
  • Joseph Ferrallo
  • Maribeth Hearn
  • Christina Kuzava
  • Donna Metlicka
  • Courtney Pritchard
  • Dan Schwert