Like students, faculty benefit from engaged learning, and the University seeks to fund new experiences for faculty to do on-site work and collaborate with businesses and organizations relevant to their field of study. These experiences allow faculty to undertake activities that will impact teaching, scholarship, and artistic endeavors, bringing real-world interpretations to theories and studies in the classroom. (Strategic Plan Goals #2, #4)
These endowed professorships will serve three main functions: (1) retain talented faculty, (2) attract distinguished faculty, and (3) attract splendid students eager to study with these persons. USI will award an endowed professorship to one distinguished faculty member from each College; faculty will receive an annual stipend for one to three years to pursue work on specific projects enhancing the University's future and serving the community. (Strategic Plan Goals #2, #4)
A university has a responsibility to students, faculty, and community to engage in creative, innovative thinking and discussion. Therefore, USI seeks to establish an endowment to fund a public-speakers series featuring globally prominent entrepreneurs and innovators who are eager to share their expertise, provoke thought, and promote conversation. (Strategic Plan Goals #3, #4, #6)