provided by: 
In giving thought to what factors would go into building a successful academic program in graphic communications, I believe every program administrator needs to begin by focusing on six areas of development.
The Vision
The first consideration for an academic program, like any business, needs to be the formation of a clearly defined vision. This vision should be a well-communicated goal that describes where leadership would like the academic program to be in the years ahead—how leadership wants others to understand the core purpose of its program.
The vision will be accomplished through the successful completion of a sequence of short-term missions, which have been laid out in a logical order. A significant point to remember is that the accomplishment of a vision is a process, not an event. This accomplishment will take time and dedication.
The Faculty
Full-time faculty members represent the foundation of any academic program. These individuals dedicate their careers to education and the advancement of students. It is important for the administrator of an academic program to bring together an excellent mix of scholars that build on their own personal strengths and career interests. In addition, the finest younger faculty members need to be sought after, mentored, and allowed to develop to their fullest potential.
It is also important to secure a supply of adjunct faculty members who are not only successful in their respective careers, but have also expressed a strong desire to teach.
The Research
To truly be recognized as outstanding, an academic program needs to generate original research. This research should be completed by full-time faculty members and higher-level graduate students in the program. Topics might vary from managerial developments in the industry to technological advancements and practical applications. The key is that the research must be original and contribute knowledge to the field.
The Students
It is the goal of any collegiate academic program to attract the best students. College-based programs must seek out these students, who may not realize that graphic communications is available as a field of study. Relationships should be established with high school advisers and junior college professors that explain the purpose of the growing academic program.
The Alliances
No academic program can stand alone. It is important to form value-added alliances in a number of areas that include other academic programs, top management from leading corporations in industry, and trade associations.
Alliances with other academic programs within the same university can provide a wonderful advantage to students with different needs. On the undergraduate level, students can choose a minor area of study that relates to their chosen field within the industry.
Alliances with leaders from the industry can provide an excellent source of advice for the development of a program's curriculum needs. Academic programs should prepare students for a career in the industry, and what better way to develop the appropriate curriculum than to work with the individuals that will be hiring them?
In addition, industry alliances with leaders of companies and trade associations in the industry can help with the development of internship programs for students, entry-level, and middle- and upper-level employment opportunities.
Build a Learning Environment
An academic program in graphic communications needs to build a physical environment that is conducive to study. Proper learning facilities can take the form of a new library with electronic access to research, a modern computer lab with the latest in graphics software, classrooms designed to stimulate the discussion of new ideas, and a pressroom/digital reproduction center that properly reflects the advanced developments of our industry.
Greg D'Amico is an associate professor and coordinator of the undergraduate program in graphic communications at Kean University, Union, N.J., and the author of "Customer-Centered Production," published by NAPL.
author: By Gregory S. D'Amico, Ph.D.