President Emeritus Harold L. Allen Legacy Message

Abstract

Dr. Harold Allen served as the ninth president of UOG between 2001 and 2008. Having grown up on Guam and having attended the Territorial College of Guam in the late 1950’s, Dr. Allen’s return to Guam and UOG in 2001 reflected a personal commitment to give back to Guam and to an institution that had been pivotal in his early development.

At the time of his appointment, UOG had been placed on probation by its regional accrediting organization, WASC. Dr. Allen’s initial tenure focused on addressing WASC’s required standards of performance while simultaneously taking steps to bring the institution in line with best practices nationwide at peer institutions of higher learning.

Following a campus-wide consultative process, a new strategic plan was developed and implemented. Planning goals and budgeting were linked directly to UOG’s stated land-grant mission and to measurable performance outcomes. Best practices were identified and adopted wherever possible. Shared governance was strengthened at all levels of the institution. Engagement became a commonly used term.

UOG’s dedication to excellence and enhanced visibility was evident in UOG’s remarkable growth during this period. Enrollment increased significantly, faculty and student support for change was evident, and research support and outreach initiatives grew. Dr. Allen retired from the UOG presidency in 2008 with UOG well positioned for long term success. Biba UOG!