Franklin Pierce University Awarded $233,800 Grant from the Davis Educational Foundation
May 3, 2018
Franklin Pierce University is pleased to announce a $233,800 grant from the Davis Educational Foundation established by Stanton and Elisabeth Davis after Mr. Davis’s retirement as chairman of Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. The grant will support the University’s Initiative for Digital Education for Accelerated Learning (IDEAL) and will be awarded over three years to assist with the launch and implementation of this new program that will benefit undergraduate students’ digital preparedness.
“We are deeply appreciative for the validation and confidence this sizeable award conveys about our institution,” said Dr. Kim Mooney, President of Franklin Pierce University. “The Davis Educational Foundation has a strong reputation in higher education for funding projects with partner institutions like Pierce where vision and strategy come together seamlessly to benefit students. I’m grateful for their continued investment in the University.”
The Foundation’s financial support will enable Franklin Pierce to augment the considerable momentum generated by the current strategic plan and transform undergraduate pedagogical practices through the enhancement of digital skills and literacy. IDEAL will improve student learning outcomes through a comprehensive, integrated program of skills development for both faculty and students. It will include a broad strategic plan to develop both instruction and experience in digital skills and literacy, which will enhance the learning environment, increase essential competencies, and lead in turn to student success in educational and career marketplaces.
“Trustees expressed support for the project believing it has transformative potential for the University,” said Edward MacKay, Chair, Board of Trustees at Davis Educational Foundation.
The committee overseeing implementation of IDEAL will begin the project by assessing the existing digital skill levels of faculty members. The survey results — analyzed against national and international standards — will inform the creation of the skills-based faculty workshops and the identification of the baseline digital skills that will be required of both faculty and students. The committee will then select at least 10 faculty members to participate in leadership and training activities in the first year of the program. Over the next two years faculty will continue their training eventually becoming Teaching Associates. All workshops and activities during the grant period will be open to all faculty and staff.
At the conclusion of a three-year timeline the program will have trained 25 faculty, integrated digital literacy outcomes into the General & Liberal Education curriculum, and the University will have developed a solid financial strategy to ensure that the results of this initiative are sustainable going forward.
Grant support for the University is an important source of funds for projects like IDEAL in order to continue to innovate our operation. The Davis Educational Foundation investment follows a series of influential grant awards totaling more than $1.1 million from distinguished organizations including the National Science Foundation, George I. Alden Trust, and the NH Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).
