COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA-FSM

P. O. Box 159
Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (691) 320-2480 Fax: (691) 320-2479 E-Mail: national@comfsm.fm

President's Message to COM-FSM Community

 

The First Week…and We Are Off and Running!

Dear Colleagues and Fellow Members of the COM-FSM Community,

This past week was full of activity across the college. New students were involved in a robust orientation program led by peer advisors and included a wide variety of team building, information and social networking programs.

On August 6th and 7th the faculty was engaged in workshops on student advising, assessment plan writing, and on authentic assessment for course level student learning outcomes.

On August 8th and 9th we, our students, our Board of Regents, and our external stakeholders, approximately 145 people gathered to engage in the first phase of a three part Visioning Summit. During the first part of the summit participants reviewed and assessed our current mission statement, determined the fulfillment of promises made in our last strategic plan, continued to refine the communications plan building upon the work completed in May, and determined appropriate alignment with the Integrated Educational Master Plan. Many thanks to all of the participants and to our facilitators for ensuring a productive Visioning Summit.

As well, the first meeting of the Mid-Level Management Team was convened on August 9, 2012. The team is comprised of the following positions: Director of Institutional Research and Planning Office (IRPO); Director of Development and Community Relations (DCR); Director of Information Technology (IT); Director of Human Resources (HR); Director of Maintenance, Facilities and Security, Comptroller, Campus Deans for Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap; Director of Fisheries and Maritime Institute (FMI); Dean of Academic Programs; Director of Career and Technical Education; Director of Learning Resource Center(LRC); Director of the Office of Admissions, Records and Retention; Director of Financial Aid; Director of Student Life; and CES Coordinator for Pohnpei Campus.

The president chaired the first meeting during which the team was charged to develop a regular meeting schedule with agenda and minutes; to elect a chair, vice-chair and secretary. Karen Simion, Dean of Academic Programs volunteered to coordinate the next meeting of the team.

The president explained the genesis of the team having emerged from his observation of a gap in the administrative organization and structure of the college at the manger level. The president also noted the concerns shared by the constituents that now comprise the team regarding dissemination of information, participation in decision-making, and clarification related to roles and responsibilities.

The president, cabinet and council of chairs fully support the work of the mid-level management team to share information and ideas for improvement, and identify and resolve problems at the mid-level manager level. It is expected that collaboration among the deans and directors will improve the flow of communication and serve to improve the delivery of services across all areas of the college.

The Board of Regents held its meeting on Friday, August 10th during which time they heard reports from all departments of the college, determined that the college should move forward to establish a foundation for the college and its endowment, and approved supplemental funding for the Public Health program.

This week begins registration for new and transfer students on August 13th and for all students on August 14th -16th from 9am-4pm at the Media and Instructional Technology Center (MITC).

As you can see, we are off to a very busy start to the new academic year. Let’s stay focused on our priorities, most especially accreditation. Let’s continue to serve our students well, both inside and outside of the classroom. Let’s continue this journey TOGETHER, to confront our challenges and create our future. Let us look forward to an exceptional year ahead!

Warm regards,

Joe

Joseph M. Daisy, Ed.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer