In 2019, nearly 1,000 faculty, staff and administrators participated in a Strategic Transformation process to identify the University’s key strengths and points of differentiation and to collectively imagine future opportunities and possibilities. That collective vision was shared with the University community in Fall 2019.
In Spring 2020, the Office of the Provost launched its first competitive grant opportunity and challenged WVU community members to conceptualize and enact change across the University's campuses. A second opportunity was announced in Spring 2021.
The Transform This! Challenge Grants provide up to $1,500 for projects and activities that promote one of the Strategic Transformation Goals. Read more about 2021 Challenge below. Visit 2020 Challenge page for past details.
2021 Challenge
The focus on change continues in 2021 with the launch of a new challenge. In partnership with a faculty team, the Provost's Office is offering a new round of competitive Transform This! Challenge Grants focused on projects and activities that promote:
Strategic Goal #4: Be a model of social equity
Reflecting our land-grant ideal as the people’s university, we will be a leader for social equity, inclusion and diversity. WVU will create avenues of access and success for students, staff and faculty and nurture a university where historically underserved people are supported and valued. We will provide opportunities for meaningful connections across differences as we work for a more just and equitable university and society. (Read more on the Strategic Transformation website.)
Faculty and staff members across all WVU campuses are encouraged to think of creative ways to create avenues for:
- Recruiting and retaining diverse students, staff and faculty members to WVU;
- Improving campus climate through intentional initiatives that promote all and support underrepresented groups;
- Integrating social equity in the student experience and education; and/or
- Creating opportunities for University community members to engage with a global perspective.
Collaborative projects that involve community partnerships and serve multiple constituents (faculty, staff, students, community members) are strongly encouraged. Possible projects include campus art exhibits, oral history projects, historical narratives of the campus and community, projects that address health disparities, or the creation of inclusive spaces on campus.
The Office of the Provost will award a maximum of $1,500 to up to 20 applicants.
2021 Challenge Timeline
- Announcement of challenge: March 11, 2021
- Challenge application deadline: March 26, 2021, 11:59 p.m.
- Award notification: April 9, 2021
- Project completion: Funding can be used for Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022
2021 Challenge Application Requirements
Applications must include the following and be submitted online:
- Unit applying for challenge grant
- One paragraph describing the proposed idea (300 words)
- Brief budget of up to $1500 for implementation (funding cannot be used for salary)
- Apply online at https://wvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d0Fqa011NS2Nm8C
2021 Faculty Partners and Review Committee
Faculty partners on the 2021 Transform This! Challenge Grants and serving as the review committee include:
- Emily Murphy (CPASS), Associate Professor, Past Faculty Senate Chair
- David Hauser (Eberly), Teaching Assistant Professor, Past Faculty Senate Chair
- Ashley Martucci (CEHS), Service Assistant Professor, Incoming Faculty Senate Chair
- Nathalie Singh-Corcoran (Eberly), Service Professor, Faculty Senate Chair
- Stefanie Hines (Davis), Teaching Assistant Professor
- Cerasela Zoica Dinu (Statler), Professor, Associate Chair
- Robynn Shannon (Provost’s Office, TLC), Assistant Director of Assessment
Questions?
Email: provost@mail.wvu.edu