Navigating student success: learning from the higher education landscape

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-223
Author(s):  
Lynn Deeken ◽  
Meggan Press ◽  
Angie Thorpe Pusnik ◽  
Laura Birkenhauer ◽  
Nate Floyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shared Interest

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the variety of ways institutions and their libraries approach student success both conceptionally and operationally. Design/methodology/approach Librarians from nine different institutions of higher education were given a series of questions about student success on their campuses and in their libraries. They responded with written essays describing their experiences and perspectives. Findings The contributed pieces are collected together and display a shared interest in defining “student success,” aligning strategic planning with student success initiatives and establishing (and assessing) strong infrastructure to support student success. Originality/value These examples help us observe what is happening throughout higher education and see potential paths forward at our own institutions engaged in this work.

Charting a path forward in student success

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-526
Author(s):  
Lynn Deeken ◽  
Amy Vecchione ◽  
Allison Carr ◽  
Shelby Hallman ◽  
Lara Herzellah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the variety of ways institutions and their libraries approach student success both conceptionally and operationally. Design/methodology/approach Librarians from eight different institutions of higher education were given a series of questions about student success on their campuses and in their libraries. They responded with written essays describing their experiences and perspectives. Findings The contributed pieces in this second installment are collected together and a variety of ways the academic library engage with “student success” are discussed. Initiatives include high-impact practices, fostering academic rapport and creating a sense of belonging, experiential learning and creative spaces and professional development. Originality/value These examples help to observe what is happening throughout higher education and see potential paths forward at the institutions engaged in this work.

Nine emerging student needs

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hines ◽  
Alexandra Whittington
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. The resulting scenarios were analyzed for their implications, including the use of the World Café technique, and ultimately led to the identification of nine emerging student needs. Findings Nine specific emerging needs of future students could be used strategically by institutions of higher education to guide and inform planning and to generate innovative ideas for university offerings. Specific examples of offerings that would meet the projected future needs are recommended. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This piece explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

Organizing so Black Lives Matter

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Cole ◽  
Audrey Grace
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Faculty Member ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
White Supremacy ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Police Brutality ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Black Lives Matter ◽  
Racial Injustice

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to respond to racial injustice and white supremacy, within the context of ongoing Black Lives Matter activism against police brutality through public protests.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors consider the work of organizing institutions of higher education so that Black Lives Matter.FindingsThe authors offer a number of practical insights and suggestions in order to deal with racial injustice and white supremacy and better support Black faculty, staff and students on college campuses.Originality/valueIn addressing issues of racial injustice and white supremacy on college campuses, the authors bring together our experiences and perspectives as diversity officer and faculty member, respectively.

Emerging student needs disrupting higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Hines
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Preparation ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs identified two potentially disruptive shifts for the future of higher education: a shift in balance of power from institutions toward the students and a shift in the purpose of higher education away from job preparation. The research suggests that current drivers are eventually moving toward these shifts but that several “accelerators” may hasten their arrival. The paper aims to describe the process for identifying the emerging needs, the potentially disruptive shifts and key implications for higher education. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to identify the emerging needs, the disruptive shifts and their implications. Findings Emerging student needs suggest two potential disruptive shifts for higher education: shift in balance of power from institutions toward the students and shift in the purpose of higher education away from job preparation. Practical implications Current institutions of higher education may need to reconsider their purpose, mission and value proposition in light of these disruptive shifts. Social implications Beyond just higher education, there is a need for a larger society-wide dialogue about the emerging future and how to best prepare students for it. Originality/value This extensive research carried out from the student perspective suggests disruptive shifts ahead relating to the purpose and future of higher education.

Moving beyond the rhetoric on faculty diversity in higher education: an interview with diversity expert Dr Bailey Jackson

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica C. Gavino
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Faculty Diversity ◽  
Full Inclusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Diversity In Higher Education ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe aim of this article is to provide Dr Bailey Jackson's perspective on institutional and systemic barriers to full inclusion of diverse faculty in higher education through the lens of the multicultural organizational development (MCOD) model. Dr Jackson is renowned for his work on social justice, diversity and multiculturalism.Design/methodology/approachThis is a personal interview with Dr Bailey Jackson. This interview provides insight on institutional level change efforts through the MCOD framework, a perspective on why institutions get stuck on the way to becoming a healthy multicultural institutions, and the effect on moving the needle on faculty diversity in institutions of higher education.FindingsThe institutional obstacles and barriers tend to be centered around misalignment with mission, vision and core values, how those are formulated to include diversity and inclusion. Faculty diversity is only one component in dealing with the health of any organization or the academy as a whole. If institutions focus on diversity faculty in an unhealthy system, they will encounter limitations on how much the institution will develop on the MCOD continuum. The health of the overall system is going to affect the approach to faculty diversity.Practical implicationsDr Jackson provides insight on his work with the MCOD framework and specifically the overall health of the institution as critical to faculty diversity initiatives. Questions to help institutions begin to assess themselves and identify changes required to move toward Multicultural within the context of faculty diversity are provided.Originality/valueThrough a series of questions, insight from Dr Jackson on why institutions get stuck in moving the needle on faculty diversity through the lens of the MCOD framework is gained.

Impacting Big Data analytics in higher education through Six Sigma techniques

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Laux ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Corey Seliger ◽  
John Springer
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for utilizing Six Sigma (SS) principles and Big Data analytics at a US public university for the improvement of student success. This research utilizes findings from the Gallup index to identify performance factors of higher education. The goal is to offer a reimagined SS DMAIC methodology that incorporates Big Data principles. Design/methodology/approach The authors utilize a conceptual research design methodology based upon theory building consisting of discovery, description, explanation of the disciplines of SS and Big Data. Findings The authors have found that the interdisciplinary approach to SS and Big Data may be grounded in a framework that reimagines the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) methodology that incorporates Big Data principles. The authors offer propositions of SS DMAIC to be theory tested in subsequent study and offer the practitioner managing the performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) indicators and examples for managing the student success mission of the organization. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to conceptual research design with regard to the SS and Big Data interdisciplinary research. For performance management, this study is limited to HEIs and non-FERPA student data. Implications of this study include a detailed framework for conducting SS Big Data projects. Practical implications Devising a more effective management approach for higher education needs to be based upon student success and performance indicators that accurately measure and support the higher education mission. A proactive approach should utilize the data rich environment being generated. The individual that is most successful in engaging and managing this effort will have the knowledge and skills that are found in both SS and Big Data. Social implications HEIs have historically been significant contributors to the development of meritocracy in democratic societies. Due to a variety of factors, HEIs, especially publicly funded institutions, have been under stress due to a reduction of public funding, resulting in more limited access to the public in which they serve. Originality/value This paper examines Big Data and SS in interdisciplinary effort, an important contribution to SS but lacking a conceptual foundation in the literature. Higher education, as an industry, lacks penetration and adoption of continuous improvement efforts, despite being under tremendous cost pressures and ripe for disruption.

Rules versus relationships and campus sexual misconduct

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-241
Author(s):  
Brian Pappas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Title Ix ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Authority ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
Relational Strategies

Purpose How do university compliance administrators implement the rules prohibiting campus sexual misconduct? Title IX Coordinators’ authority is legal–rational and derives from the power to enforce Title IX and university rules. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach Analyzing narratives collected from administrators at 22 large institutions of higher education, this paper distinguishes rules from relationship-oriented Coordinators and develops an understanding of how and why Title IX Coordinators utilize relational authority as they implement Title IX. Findings The key finding is that relational administrators exhibit less institutional authority than their rules-based counterparts and focus on their relationships with complainants and respondents over university leaders and administrators. Originality/value While other researchers have focused on rules, this research demonstrates how Title IX Coordinators draw heavily on relational strategies.

Liberal education may be dead but the magic will not die!

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Bussey
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Liberal Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
Reflective Essay

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to challenge the assumption that liberal education as we understand it today, is alive and well in our institutions of higher education. Design/methodology/approach – This article is a reflective essay Findings – The spirit of liberal education is alive and well but has largely fled the university and taken up residence in less formal, more flexible educational contexts. Originality/value – This article plays the devil's advocate and argues that we need to rethink how we approach and signify “liberal education.”

A survey of diversity and inclusiveness initiatives at Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Regina Koury ◽  
Jenny Lynne Semenza ◽  
Sandra Shropshire
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Short Explanation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe survey findings on diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries. The findings would be helpful to libraries that are at the beginning of their own diversity and inclusion initiatives or that wish to compare ongoing efforts. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a survey of Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries using Qualtrics, an online survey software. Link to the survey with a short explanation was e-mailed to the 324 identified contacts and 151 responses were received at the end of the survey. Findings Survey responses revealed that the most prevalent types of diversity and inclusion initiatives fall into one of three categories. These are the creation/enhancement of library collections, recruitment and collaboration with other campus units. Not surprisingly, lack of money and other resources are identified as challenges faced by those who engage in these initiatives. Originality/value No other research currently exists for those interested in assessing diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries.

Lean higher education: successes, challenges, and realizing potential

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 924-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
William K Balzer ◽  
Michelle H Brodke ◽  
Elsy Thomas Kizhakethalackal
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Change ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Transition ◽  
Practical Guidance ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence from the experiences and the literature on organizational change and transformation to implement and sustain Lean higher education (LHE) initiatives designed to benefit the university, its employees, and the individuals it serves. Design/methodology/approach – The authors present organizational development literature and examples of success and challenges to better support the effective application of LHE. Findings – The authors address the importance of and techniques for first, assessing and improving institutional readiness; second, enhancing leadership awareness, understanding, and support for LHE; third, strategic planning, Lean leadership, and getting help for LHE; and fourth, facilitating an institution-wide transition to LHE. Originality/value – A structured, step-by-step approach offers practical guidance for implementing institution-wide Lean initiatives in HE.

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