Vision 2020

Vision 2020: Building a Thriving University

Washington Adventist University (WAU), from its base in scenic Takoma Park, Maryland, is laying out its set of goals to be achieved by the end of the second decade in the 21st century: 2020

Buoyed by a recent growth spurt, not previously seen in its 108 years, WAU is seeking to build a stable brand, characterized by programmatic excellence as well as take advantage of the unique status it enjoys as the only four year residential college in Montgomery County, a diverse and largely affluent suburb of Washington, DC.

Weymouth Spence, Ed.D. , president for the past five years, says Vision 2020 is a continuation of the planning process to create a culture of excellence at Washington Adventist University.

“Based on assessments conducted throughout the past four years, such as graduate surveys, employee satisfaction surveys, learning outcomes, we now have the data that will guide us to develop action plans that will transform us into a thriving university, Spence said.  “We are developing game changing actions under the six institutional pillars of excellence: quality, people, finance, growth service, and community.”

Those game changing plans are geared toward creating a culture of excellence, modeled on the Baldrige Program, a high octave formula designed to raise awareness about the importance of performance excellence in driving the U.S. and global economy. The program stresses assessment and educates institutional leaders about organizational best practices.

“It is important to note that we are not redoing the strategic plan,” Spence explained. “Vision 2020 is a projection of where we would like to be. What we are seeking to do, therefore, is to get input from the community—from staff, faculty, the board of trustees on some  concept and directions that we  need to take.”
Consequently, the president said he expects that some things may be added while some could be discarded. “The overall goal is to focus on what we need to do to become a thriving university.”

Academics

Ultimately, the president sees WAU’s  quest for excellence  centered around: 1) exceeding institutional and accreditation standards; 2) developing a strong curriculum in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); 3) emphasizing service learning; 4) on-going program review;  and continuous strategic reinvestment in the quality of programs.   Programs would be designed to foster greater collaboration with K-12 institutions, strengthen remedial education as well as liberal arts and STEM  curricular and attract more federal, state, foundation and private funds.

“Academic administration, inclusive of the deans, chairs, faculty and leaders of academic units are fully committed to the vision of the University which is to “produce graduates who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities,” said interim provost, Patrick Williams.

Williams identified key goals to be accomplished as part of the strategic initiative as:   promoting academic excellence; hiring and retaining outstanding faculty who are committed to the mission of WAU; developing an outstanding center for student success and faculty development; establishing strong educational opportunities through on-line/distance learning that are accessible and affordable to non-traditional students;   affirming the importance of service learning as a core element of the curriculum;  providing instructional technology  to enhance the learning and working environment; promoting  and supporting a culture of academic assessment that can inform academic leaders and administration in decision making; and promoting and strengthening  academic support services that reflect 21st century best practice such as  the library and the office of the registrar.

Finance

Significantly improving the financial health of the institution is another critical component of Vision 2020.  After struggling financially for many years, the institution, within the past seven years   has made a turnaround and is now on a positive growth trajectory. Increased enrollment, contributions from alumni and friends, and prudent budgetary choices, have contributed to the institutions improved financial performance. The Consolidated Financial Index (CFI) score, a higher education financial health measurement, currently beats the average of all private colleges in Maryland.

“My goal is definitely to keep WAU on this positive trajectory.  By meeting and exceeding our fiscal targets, we are positioning ourselves to make both the physical and programmatic changes that are necessary for WAU to grow and  be true to our vision of producing   graduates  who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities,” said Patrick Farley, executive vice president for Finance and Administration.

Alignment of budget with the strategic plan, establishing a sustainable endowment, establishing working capital, generating additional revenue, enhancing fundraising and budgeting for surplus or other important financial targets, Farley said.

Ultimately, Spence envisions all round growth at the University.  Physically, he envisions the student population growing to a total of 3000, on campus and online. This will necessitate purchasing or leasing new buildings, adding new programs and at least two schools: para-legal/law and medical education.  He also envisions the university expanding to international locations as well as having a greater regional, national and international visibility.

Cabinet Members

Patrick Farley, Executive Vice President, Finance

Patrick Farley earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland and a Communications degree from Washington Adventist University. He also holds a M.S. in Finance from the University of Baltimore.

Farley has been in this position since July, 2004. From 2002 to 2004, he served as controller at WAU. Prior to joining WAU, Farley worked in the communication and government contracting industry as controller, senior accountant and staff accountant.

Baraka Muganda, Vice President, Ministry

Baraka Muganda holds a doctorate in education, and an M.A. in religion from Andrews University.. He earned his B.A. in theology from Solusi University, Zimbabwe. Prior to joining Washington Adventist University, Muganda served as president of the Tanzania Adventist College in 1984 and as the World Youth Director of the Seventh-day Adventist church from June 1995 to June 2010. Both positions offered a wealth of multicultural and multinational experience.

Muganda also lectures on youth ministry leadership at the Adventist University of Africa and is an advisor in the doctoral program at the Andrews Seminary in Michigan.

William Jackson, Vice President, Marketing and Recruiting

William Jackson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia Union College and his teacher certification from Atlantic Union College. He began his teaching career at what was Toronto Junior Academy in Canada in 1974. He joined Highland View Academy in 1978 and served, first as the religion history teacher and later as vice-principal until 1994 when he went to work for the Brook Grove Foundation as director of Development and Facilities. In 1996, he joined Columbia Union College as the director of Marketing for the Adult Evening Program. When the AEP became the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, he assumed the role as director of Enrollment Services. He held that position until September of 2009 when he was named vice president for Marketing and Recruiting for the University.

Jean Warden, Vice President, Student Life

Jean Warden earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of LaVerne, LaVerne California and a master of arts from California State Polytechnic. She began her tenure as Vice President for Student Life in July, 2002. Prior to joining WAU, Warden served as minority recruitment director, and director of diversity at Southern California University of Health Sciences and executive director, Los Angeles Opportunities Industrialization Center, in addition. She also served as adjunct faculty at American River College. Her experience in higher education spans more than 20 years.

Janette Neufville, Associate Vice President, Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Janette Neufville is the Associate Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. For twenty-five years prior to joining WAU, she served as an analyst, business consultant and program manager at various Fortune 500 companies, including Nasdaq, Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), EDS (now Hewlett Packard), and Sprint Nextel. Neufville earned a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Neufville is responsible for institutional research; institutional effectiveness; and support of assessment, accreditation, and planning.

Gregory Ingram, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Systems

Greg Ingram is the Associate Vice President of Information Technology Systems at Washington Adventist University. He is responsible for the University's IT systems including strategic planning, management, business applications, network Infrastructure, help desk and academic technology resources.

Greg is a double alumni of Washington Adventist University. He completed his MBA in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science, Computer Science in 1995.

Rythee Jones, Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Rythee Jones earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hood College and her master of General Administration from University of Maryland University College.  She joined WAU September 2011 and assumed her current role in August 2012.  Jones has 25 years of human resources experience, including seven years at the executive level.  Her background includes assignments in talent development, employee relations, organizational development, compensation, and human resource information systems.  She also has served as an executive coach to leaders in higher education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

President's Office

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