Activity #1 - Enhancing Student Services

Abstract: The purpose of  this activity is to continue to improve the nature and quality of student services in order to reduce the rate of attrition among the predominantly African-American student population.  The programs are designed to offer well-defined services including mentoring, leadership development, services for the disabled, and veterans.

Activity #2 - Strengthening Faculty Participation in Externally - Funded Research and Sponsored Programs

Abstract: The primary function of the Office of Research and Development (ORD) is to promote the broad concept of research at Alabama A&M University.  The creation of new knowledge through research contributes to the enhancement of professional training of University faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and to the well-being of society at large. ORD also focuses on strengthening the University's efforts to implement its mission and strategic long-range plan, to increase the visibility of the University and its service to the public, and to improve the overall competitiveness and marketability of the University in the public and private sectors.

Activity #4 - Strengthening Faculty /Staff Development

Abstract:  The purpose of this activity is to continue the efforts at Alabama A&M University to offer faculty professional  development opportunities and to increase the faculty population who have terminal degrees in their area of specialization.  These efforts will increase the likelihood of getting programs accredited.  Additionally,  support will be provided to assist faculty and staff in enhancing job performance via participation in professional development activities.

Activity #5 - Strengthening the Honors Center

Abstract:  This activity is designed to upgrade the Honors Center and to assist in attracting, nurturing, and retaining academically talented students.  Additionally, the project seeks to accommodate students' special  needs and abilities by creating a home-like environment where they can develop personally and professionally.

Activity #6 - Strengthening Information Technology

Abstract:  The mission of Information Technology Services is to provide and promote information technology services that support the mission of the University, to provide leadership for the changing information technology environment, and to create an IT-intensive enivronment that facilitates learning, teaching, research, and administration. We provide the technology leadership, build the campus information infrastructure, and provide technical support to create the information technology environment that the University needs to reach its goals.

To accomplish or mission, we will focus our efforts:

1. To provide adequate computing, information access, and network resources to satisfy the needs of students, faculty, and staff for teaching, learning, research, and administraion, locally and remotely;
2. To support and maintain the academic and administrative computing activities of the University and to enable quality, efficiency, and productivity through development, training, expansion of technical support, and realignment and re-engineering of information technology processes and systems; and
3. To facilitate and enhance processes to provide quality information services and reliable information access to our clients in a reliable and secured way.

Activity #7 - Strengthening Library Automation

Abstract: Strengthening Library automation in the J.F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center (LRC) is a component designed to operate a student computer lab, and to improve access to and availability of the LRC holdings and resources via the Library Management System (Horizon), CD-ROMs, and the Internet.  It allows for activities via access to the holdings and electronic databases of the LRC.  The LRC meets the challenges of the physically and/or visually impaired and continues the enhancement of the media collection.

Activity 8# - Strengthening Advising and Retention

Abstract: This activity  will develop a strategic plan, an advising handbook and training material.  It will capitalize on state-of-the-art and cutting edge technology; and include caring, committed, and world-class advisors who are available to students in their individual departments on a daily basis.  By implementing the proposed plan, it is predicted that the academic performance of students and the retention rate will increase significantly.

Activity #9 - Establishment of an Endowment Fund

Abstract: The purpose of this activity is to establish an endowment fund for Alabama A&M University to help generate funds for scholarships and other universities activities.