Advancing Tennessee through Innovative Programs

GOAL:

Deliver programs to address the greatest needs of Tennessee families, farmers, youth, and communities.

Outcome: IT Desktop Support

IT desktop support requests are now being handled through UT’s Office of Information Technology on main campus, rather than by the six regional IT professionals. This transition has allowed Extension IT professionals to spend more time developing and conducting training and improving networks across the state. Core Competency Framework was developed to help train administrative staff. An IT coordinator position was created for UT Extension.

The team was charged with equipping Extension to provide excellent education using technology.

Team Chair: Brad Greenfield

Committee Members: Kelli Roberson, Darrell Hensley, Adam Hopkins, Melissa Reid, Emily Tipton, Matt Webb, Ben West, David Yates

The Strategic Plan identified that Extension should be equipped to provide excellent education using technology in order to move forward to advance Tennessee in the future. The IT Initiative Team addressed key IT issues within the organization and provided solutions. One component of their work was the recommendation to utilize the UT Office of Information Technology (OIT) as the first point of contact for Extension’s IT-related issues. For over six months in 2014, the IT Initiative Team conducted a trial utilizing OIT as first responders for IT issues within several selected counties. The feedback from the counties who participated in the trial was very positive. Based on the trial survey results and the OIT survey results, OIT now serves as the first point of contact for all Extension IT-related issues, providing unprecedented level of support for all of our IT users, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Outcome: Extension’s System for University Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting (SUPER)

Extension’s System for University Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting (SUPER) was redesigned to enhance efficiency and expand function of the current system. The Enrollment module has been developed, tested, and introduced through workshops while other modules are in development. A user guide has also been developed.

The team was charged with enhancing and fully utilizing Extension’s System for University Planning, Evaluation and Reporting (SUPER) in order to evaluate Extension program outcomes to confirm they are meeting priority needs.

Team Co-Chairs: Shirley Hastings, Brad Greenfield, and John Toman

Team Members: Karen Armsey, David Bilderback, Linda Bower, Natalie Bumgarner, Mike Buschermohle, Janet Cluck, Chris Cooper, Whitney Danhof, Shannon DeWitt, Joseph Donaldson, Staci Foy, Karen Franck, Lori Gallimore, Dennis Geiser, Jamie Harris, Chris Hicks, Martha Keel, Jerry Lamb, Joel Lown, Neal Schrick, Jim Stewart, Jennifer Stewart, Tracey Sullivan, Tom Broyles, Shawn Towater, Brandi Vantrease, Anastasia Wheeler, Amy Willis, and Jenny Yeary.

The redesign and enhancement of the System for University Planning, Evaluation, and Reporting (SUPER) began in July 2018, with a two-day working session of the SUPER 2.0 committee. The committee discussed design and future needs of an enhanced SUPER. They also helped develop wireframes and a timeline for the project. It was determined that development would begin with the Enrollment module of SUPER, which was completed in August 2018. Subsequently, a two-day testing session was held in September, with training sessions offered in each region and on campus. The Enrollment module of SUPER 2.0 has been implemented, replacing the previous version of Enrollment.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Profile module have been tested and released. The Profile module has many parts, one of which is the dossier. Two Strategic Plan committees have contributed to the development of an electronic dossier system and promotion criteria. These committees have worked diligently and under a tight timeline in order for the dossier module of SUPER 2.0 to be implemented for the 2019-2020 promotion cycle. The electronic dossier system was tested in May.

Electronic Dossier Committee:

Chair: David Bilderback

Committee Members: Sheldon Barker, Carla Bush, David Perrin, Allisen Penn, Sierra Knaus, Bob Shmake, and John Toman

Electronic Dossier Promotion Criteria Committee:

Chair: Allisen Penn

Committee Members: David Bilderback, Tom Broyles, Sierra Knaus, Ty Petty, Laura Stephenson, Sheldon Barker, Carla Bush, Donna Bradley, and Jerry Lamb

Strategies and Action Steps

Strategy: Prioritize Extension programming to address needs.

Action Steps:

Implement a streamlined process for prioritizing programs based on local needs and emerging issues.
Coordinate county and state Extension program development and delivery.
Designate state-level subject matter expertise and develop curricula for priority programs.

Strategy: Equip Extension to provide excellent education using technology.

Action Steps:

Provide expert IT staff to support innovative technologies for teaching and learning.
Ensure effective teaching methods using cutting-edge equipment and software.

Strategy: Evaluate Extension program outcomes to confirm they are meeting priority needs.

Action Steps:

Enhance and fully utilize Extension’s System for University Planning, Evaluation and Reporting (SUPER).
Seek input to ensure Extension programs continue to address local needs.
Implement a review process to assure resources are allocated to high-priority programs.