First Year Overview

In his first year as president, Frederick G. Slabach has demonstrated a clear understanding of what needs to be done and what can be done to strengthen Texas Wesleyan’s impact on North Texas. His work ethic and leadership is charting the course for an institution that is intent on bettering the lives of people from every walk of life and at every stage of their education and career.

On Strategy

Upon joining Wesleyan in January of 2011, President Slabach started formulating a new strategic plan – one with a sharp focus on what will best lead Texas Wesleyan through the next decade. With input from faculty, staff, students and alumni, he is honing in on the strengths of the University, such as preparing students for graduate school to help them advance in their careers.

His strategy leverages Wesleyan’s liberal arts setting, where undergraduates receive individualized instruction in intentionally small classes led by gifted faculty who are committed to student success. Wesleyan students develop proficiency in critical thinking and analytic reasoning, which are the same skills sought by both employers and graduate programs.

From this strategy arises the University’s vision:

Texas Wesleyan aspires to be a values- and student-centered university where motivated students prepare for graduate school and leadership in professional careers.

On Community Leadership

Texas Wesleyan is a driving force in East Fort Worth and throughout the city. To strengthen both Wesleyan and the surrounding community, President Slabach has met with city and civic leaders and Poly organizations to discuss potential partnerships.

In addition, the University has developed a master plan that will serve to reinforce the campus identity and enhance the student experience and campus aesthetics. The engineering and architectural firm of Freese & Nichols is overseeing planning for the project.

Wesleyan continues to help lead efforts from both the private and public sectors in furthering the Rosedale Redevelopment Initiative. The synergy between Wesleyan’s master plan and the redevelopment initiative is great, and is expected to transition the neighborhood into a more vibrant Polytechnic/Wesleyan Urban Village.

On campus, renovations have been completed in two campus housing facilities. The Fersing Freshman Success Center and Classroom.NEXT were completed in time for fall classes. The Freshman Success Center helps entering students in their transition to college life, while Classroom.NEXT enhances the learning experience with technology and space utilization that were recommended by a faculty/student team.