Continued progress and evolving work
We are now eight months into our reSPARC efforts, and the work continues to evolve as teams refine ideas, deepen collaboration, and build on what they have learned. Across the university, these efforts have emphasized coordination, thoughtful analysis, and forward-looking approaches that support our academic mission while strengthening how we operate.
In addition to generating ideas and evaluating new opportunities, reSPARC is contributing to a broader shift in how all of us approach our work. Through a focus on data-informed decision-making, ongoing assessment, and shared problem-solving, this effort is helping to reinforce an already strong culture of continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness across campus.
The updates below provide a snapshot of how reSPARC teams are continuing to develop strategies that are informed by a broad range of perspectives and campus expertise.
Kevin C. Kregel
Executive vice president and provost
Operational Efficiency
Academic Efficiency
The Academic Efficiency team is continuing its work through smaller, focused workgroups. Current efforts include exploring how to: improve how faculty activity is tracked and managed, clarify course definitions and teaching expectations, expand enrollment management tools to support course planning, and use AI to assist with transcript review.
"We are working closely with several SPARC and reSPARC teams to develop a range of approaches that support operational efficiencies in academic activities. These collaborations allow us to consider how improved academic efficiencies may work across the university."
Cornelia Lang, co-chair of the Academic Efficiency reSPARC team
Financial Operations
The Financial Operations team is advancing work related to data and reporting, workflow processes, business services, and administrative staffing. Across these areas, the team is examining where processes can be simplified and aligned across units.
One area where the group is making significant progress is an initiative that will integrate UI Workflow into Universal Workflow to reduce duplication between systems and support more consistent routing, visibility, and reporting.
Human Resources
The Human Resources team is advancing efforts to streamline high-volume transactions, reduce manual work, and improve data accuracy. Current initiatives include piloting a microtransactions approach to bundle routine HR changes, implementing batch processing for salary-setting, and enhancing Employee Self-Service reporting. The team is also exploring longer-term changes to HR service delivery and continues to coordinate with IT and Finance partners to support system development and alignment.
"Our efforts are focused on simplifying routine processes while working with campus partners to ensure changes are practical and responsive to unit needs."
Cheryl Reardon, co-chair of the Human Resources reSPARC team
Information Technology
The Information Technology team is focusing on reducing unused infrastructure and examining opportunities to standardize business processes across campus. Current efforts include a proposed network port consolidation project and continued review of variation in local practices. The team is also coordinating with other SPARC groups on process consistency, AI-related efforts, and broader IT work.
"It has been extremely valuable to be part of these discussions and hear a range of ideas about how we can move processes forward in thoughtful and practical ways. There is a lot of energy and excitement around this work."
Brad Rohrer, co-chair of the Information Technology reSPARC team
Marketing and Communications
The Marketing and Communications team is continuing its work to improve efficiency across staffing, tools, and communication channels while exploring additional ways to streamline processes and promote best practices. Current efforts include a university-wide social media audit, development of a preferred vendor list for merchandise, and a review of institutional strategies for the web and digital signage.
"We are continuing to gather input from units and share what we are learning as the work progresses. Working closely with campus partners has been really valuable to identifying where we can have the greatest impact."
Amy Kristof-Brown, co-chair of the Marketing and Communications reSPARC team
Other Opportunities
The Other Opportunities team is exploring a range of efforts related to energy use, transportation, and student support services. Current work includes evaluating approaches to improve energy efficiency, refining communication strategies to encourage alternative transportation, and reviewing models that support student care and coordination. Across these areas, the team is focused on understanding current practices and identifying opportunities to improve consistency, communication, and access to services.
"We have explored a wide range of innovative and potentially impactful ideas from across campus. Bringing these perspectives together has helped us see opportunities to build on existing efforts and consider new approaches."
Sarah Hansen, co-chair of the Other Opportunities reSPARC team
Revenue Generation
Corporate Sponsorship and Philanthropy
The Corporate Sponsorship and Philanthropy team is taking a phased approach to exploring long-term strategies related to corporate sponsorship revenue. Current efforts are focused on establishing clearer governance, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring appropriate consideration of the university's brand value for corporate partnerships. This foundational work is intended to support more consistent approaches over time and inform future discussions about sponsorship opportunities.
"As we move into the next phase of this work, we hope to develop a set of high-impact recommendations to help guide the university's next steps. We intend to build on the work completed so far and provide options supporting more informed decision-making."
Liz Tovar, co-chair of the Corporate Sponsorship and Philanthropy reSPARC team
New Academic Programs
The New Academic Programs team is continuing its work on online programs and micro-credentials through focused subgroups and ongoing evaluation. Current efforts include exploring support structures for online offerings and developing recommendations related to the definition, governance, and tracking of micro-credentials. The team implemented an updated academic program approval process that includes a required financial and market analysis, with plans to select a vendor to help with the market analysis.
"We are working to better understand what is needed to support new program development, including online offerings and micro-credentials. This includes building processes that provide clearer information upfront to help inform decisions as ideas move forward."
Ana Rodriguez-Rodriguez, co-chair of the New Academic Programs reSPARC team
Non-Academic Programs
The Non-Academic Programs team is focused on learning from existing campus programs and conducting market research to inform future opportunities. Current efforts include listening sessions with established programs and benchmarking the broader landscape of non-academic offerings for high school students, as well as additional research on audiences such as working professionals and retirees. The team is also exploring potential collaboration with facilities-focused groups to better understand space considerations.
Featured Initiative
Efforts are underway to explore opportunities to expand non-academic programming in ways that build on existing strengths and generate additional revenue. A P3-funded market research study is examining demand among working professionals and retirees to help inform future program development and better understand areas of potential growth.
Student Mix
The Student Mix team is continuing to explore potential strategies in coordination with campus partners, with a focus on reviewing data, gathering input, and refining ideas for further consideration. Current areas of exploration include a summer program developed in collaboration with the Student Retention team and opportunities to expand access to foreign language coursework for high school students.
"The data we've reviewed has revealed some important insights, and we continue to work with the Student Retention team and other campus partners to better understand the most effective approaches, particularly when it comes to summer programming that supports student success."
Brent Gage, co-chair of the Student Mix reSPARC team
Student Retention
The Student Retention team is advancing its work through several focused subgroups aimed at better understanding and supporting student success. Current efforts include developing recommendations related to curricular pathways across programs, analyzing the student employment landscape and identifying potential strategies to support participation, and establishing a Student Success Research Collaborative. The team is also working with the Student Mix reSPARC team and the ETL/Student Success SPARC group to explore a potential tuition grant program for Pell-eligible and lower-income undergraduates.
Featured Initiative
A Student Success Research Collaborative has been established to strengthen how the university evaluates programs, policies, and resource decisions related to student outcomes. Supported by P3 funding, this effort will create a shared infrastructure for student success research and support more consistent, data-informed decision-making across campus.
Share your idea
Use our online form to let us know if you have a revenue generation or operational efficiency idea.