Getting Serious About Engagement - Developing a Campus Plan to Enhance the Student Experience

CANADIAN SEM SUMMIT – Calgary 2013

Getting Serious About Engagement - Developing a Campus Plan to Enhance the Student Experience

Clayton Smith, University of WindsorSusan Gottheil, University of Manitoba

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Our StyleNo vendorsFacilitators; not presentersNo silos hereIts all about conversation and learning from each other


Introductions Your name, institution and role

Why did you sign up for the workshop?

Have you personally been involved in any student experience-oriented strategic planning process? If so, in what capacity?

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Our Goals Today Establish a common understanding of “student

engagement” and the “student experience”

Identify some institutional approaches and lessons learned

Provide resources you can use

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CANADIAN SEM


What are the top three things you remember most about your university experience?


Student Experience - UMThe Strategic Planning Framework promises students an outstanding student and learning experience.

“The University of Manitoba will be a student-focused research university from the time of recruitment: a life-long academic home where students contribute to a diversity of ideas and experiences.”


University of Windsor“Provide an exceptional and supportive undergraduate experience that emphasizes independent learning, interdisciplinary opportunities, flexibility in degree completion pathways, and successful year-to-year transition.”

Thinking Forward...Taking Action, 2010

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Group Discussion - I

Does your institutional mission and/or strategic plan talk about student engagement or the student experience?

What is meant by that?

Is this concept widely understood/put into action?

Is it measured? If so, how?

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What is “An Outstanding Student Experience”?Measures not difficult to identify:

⁻ Attracting students who persist through to graduation⁻ High student satisfaction ratings⁻ Achievement of institutional and program learning

outcomes (i.e., acquisition of desired knowledge, skills and competencies)

⁻ Attainment of student’s educational objectives (further education, employment)

⁻ Alumni loyalty

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What We Know

Students who are:ConnectedInvolved on campusDeeply invested in learning and growth….are more likely to persist and be satisfied with their educational experience

The more important question is: How do we make this happen?

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A TED Talk to Get Us GoingSimon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action – why,

how and what?http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_le

aders_inspire_action.html?utm_source=email&source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ios-share

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http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html?utm_source=email&source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ios-share




Group Discussion - II

Why are we (PSE Institutions) focusing on enhancing student engagement and the student experience?

Why is it top of mind now?

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Why Now?Focus on student retention and successFocus on student learning, learning

outcomesDemographic shifts, fiscal realitiesConcern about outcomes of targeted

populations (international, Indigenous, first-generation students)

Reputational rankings, comparative surveys (NSSE, CUSC)

Marketing and philanthropy campaigns (good “stories”)

Public accountability13


Group Discussion - IIIAre the concepts “enhancing student engagement” and “enhancing the student experience” referring to the same things? If not, what are the differences?

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What Does the Research Tell Us?

“What matters is the nature of the experiences students have: the courses they take, the instructional methods their teachers use, the interactions they have with their peers and faculty members outside the classroom, the variety of people and ideas they encounter, and the extent of their involvement in the academic and social systems of their institution.”

-Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005


Student Engagement…student engagement – the time and effort students devote to their studies and related activities and how institutions organize learning opportunities and provide services to induce students to take part in and benefit from such activities.

- Kuh, 2005

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Student EngagementEmbraces three key student success processes:

1. Active involvement: time and energy invested in learning experience inside and outside the classroom [Astin, Tinto, Pace]

2. Social integration: interaction, collaboration and interpersonal relationships between students and peers, faculty, staff and administrators; sense of belonging and community [Tinto]

3. Personal reflection: think deeply on learning experiences [Entwistle & Ramsen, Flavell, Svinicki, Vgotsky]


NSSE BenchmarksKuh/NSSE uses “student engagement” as an indicator of quality of student experience

Level of academic challengeActive and collaborative learningEnriching educational experiencesSupportive campus environmentStudent-faculty interaction

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http://nsse.iub.edu/


Importance of Faculty/Classroom

The most significant measures of student engagement in NSSE are those measures that involve faculty

Students come to, and stay at, our institutions because of academic programs

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Student Success: Research Evidence from decades of studies indicates that:

‾ The level of challenge and students’ time on task are positively related to persistence

‾ The degree to which students are engaged in their studies impacts directly on the quality of their learning and their overall educational experience

‾ The more opportunities a student has to build a connection to campus, the better their chances of success

‾ Some students – such as first generation students, males, transfer students and those who live off-campus – are generally less engaged than others

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Important Note

The relationship between student engagement & student persistence is not linear

Increased level of academic engagement, when not connected with high levels of social engagement, is negatively related to student persistence

High level social engagement in social activities is positively connected to student persistence

- Hu, 2010

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Student Engagement: Key Concepts

Early studies focused on time-on-task behaviors, on students’ willingness to participate in routine activities, such as attending classes, submitting required work and following teachers’ directions in class

But student engagement can also be inferred from more subtle cognitive, behavioral and affective indicators

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Do Engagement Measures Predict Learning Outcomes? Yes (Conway, Zhao & Montgomery, 2011) Data linkages between NSSE & CCSSE survey responses and

administrative data can provide a deeper understanding of student engagement, which can then be used to design or improve engagement strategies

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Group Discussion - IV

What are the Challenges to

Enhancing Student Engagement

and the Student Experience?

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ChallengesChanging student population

⁻ Increasing diversity⁻ Commuting⁻ Part-time study⁻ Work and family responsibilities⁻ “Swirling”⁻ Diverse learning styles⁻ Mental health issues, stress, general lack of well-being

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Challenges...cont’dUniversity and learning environment

Budgetary and resource constraintsLarge class sizes/high student-faculty ratios Increased reliance on part-time instructors and TA’sFocus on researchSpace constraints Impact of technology

⁻ New ways of connecting – opportunities for enhanced communication, community building

⁻ Enhanced service expectations

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Challenges...cont’dStudents’ pre-entry characteristics and post-entry

experiences: impact access, persistence and engagement⁻ Preconceived notions of university environment⁻ Lack of academic preparation, including language and literacy⁻ Family and community support/role models⁻ Financial issues: tuition/fees/cost of living; debt aversion; lack of

student assistance/band funding⁻ Work and family commitments⁻ Institutional policies and processes: admission criteria, advising⁻ Lack of interest, motivation⁻ Poor self-esteem and self-confidence⁻ Lack of general well-being: isolation, stress⁻ Campus climate: perception of unwelcoming/racist community

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Key Point

What happens during the student’s campus experience is

as, or more, critical than student

inputs …

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So….

….. How Do We Create an

Enhanced Student Experience

and Engage Our Students?

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Key Services/Programs

Intentionally and well-implemented academic and social orientation

Academic advising

Supplemental instruction/academic skill development

- Hossler, 2006

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High-Impact Educational PracticesFirst-Year SeminarCommon Intellectual Experiences (“core” curriculum)Learning Communities*Writing-Intensive CoursesCollaborative Assignments and ProjectsUndergraduate Research*Diversity/Global Learning/Study Abroad*Community Service-Learning*Internships and Co-operative EducationCapstone Courses and Projects**Engagement Indicators

-Kuh, 2008

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Revisiting the DEEP Study: 10 Years LaterHigh-Impact Educational Practices still important Emergence of early alert systems to enhance student

successAdditional practices of great importance:

⁻ Emphasis on data-informed decision-making; focus on data that are actionable (not immutable institutional or student characteristics)

⁻ Better collaboration between academic and student affairs

⁻ Increasing faculty and staff understanding of conditions for success

- NSSE Annual Results, 2012

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Group Discussion - V

What are the strategies your institution has employed to enhance student engagement?

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Programs and StrategiesStudent Recruitment

⁻ High school and community partnerships, outreach activities⁻ On- and off-campus events⁻ “Student for a Day”

Student OrientationAcademic AdvisingProgram and Curriculum

⁻ New course development⁻ Undergraduate/Graduate Program Reviews⁻ Learning Communities⁻ Pedagogical support (Teaching and Learning Centres)

Analyzing DFW Rates

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Programs and Strategies… cont’dAcademic policies

⁻ Progression and graduation requirements; student mobility

Course scheduling/Program Planning⁻ Use of Summer Session

Space⁻ To study, gather, interact, engage

Supplemental instruction⁻ Tutoring “student halls”⁻ Writing Centres

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Programs and Strategies… cont’dExperiential Education

⁻ Study abroad programs (student exchanges)⁻ Community-service learning⁻ Co-op, internships

Enriching educational experiences⁻ Research mentorships⁻ Field trips, study tours⁻ Brown bags, lecture series⁻ Support of student societies

Mentoring⁻ Using faculty, alumni, student peers

Career advising⁻ Partnership between student affairs and academic programs

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And Some More Strategies… Aboriginal student access/retention

Academic civility

Bridging programs

Coaching (case managed access to student services, coaching first-year students on probation)

Co-curricular record

Cross-departmental collaboration


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Strategies…cont’d

Cultural sensitivity/cultural competency training

Early Alert

Emotional Intelligence interventions

Faculty development

Financial aid

Graduate student teaching development workshops


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Strategies… cont’d Learning & information commons

Peer mentor programs

Planning (staff/faculty retreats and symposia)

Recognition for staff & faculty

Residence (academic, bridging and transition programs)

Teaching (clickers, critical thinking, early feedback, hybrid courses, idea incubator, technology in large classes)


A Few Institutional Approaches to Developing

a Student Engagement Plan

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VisionStudents

EngagementResearch


ACTION PLAN: TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE


University of Windsor

Using NSSE to Create an Action Plan to Enhance the Quality of

the Student Experience

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ProcessCreated a Deans Council NSSE Working Group (2011) to

identify the low-hanging fruit Identified “Building an Enhanced Sense of Community” as

the over-riding key issueSubsequently identified a number of key issues (some went

beyond NSSE to include Globe & Mail and other surveysBuilt a one-year plan for impacting each of the issues (that

current resources could address)Deans Council updates periodically

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Major Areas of FocusSense of communityQuality of teachingVariety and availability of coursesQuality of academic advisingAcademic support servicesStudent residencesFinancing educationStudy spaces in the LibraryAppearance of classrooms and labs

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Areas...cont’dCareer preparation and servicesInterpersonal skills for faculty and staffHousekeeping servicesFood servicesSecond year experienceExternal student awardsRecycling and garbage

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Current StatusWill evaluate status of the plan at year’s endConsider looking at how we might address these

issues with new resourcesSee many of these issues as taking many years to fully

address (especially sense of community)

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Current Status … cont’dExploring putting our focus on issues that cannot be

addressed by individual departments or units:⁻ Sense of community⁻ Quality of teaching ⁻ Academic advising support⁻ Coordination of information related to academic support

services⁻ How best to communicate with students⁻ Career preparation⁻ Second year experience

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University of Manitoba:

Using the SEM Framework

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What is SEM?Strategic enrollment management (SEM) is a concept and process that enables the fulfillment of institutional mission and students’ educational goals.

-Bontrager, 2004

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The Student Success ContinuumTraditional Enrolment Perspective

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Recruitment/ Marketing

Admission

OrientationCo-curricular

Support

Academic Support

RetentionFinancial Support

Classroom Experience

Student’s College/University CareerAttain

Degree/Goal


The Student Success ContinuumThe SEM Perspective

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Recruitment/ Marketing

Admission

OrientationCo-curricular

Support

Academic Support

RetentionFinancial Support

Classroom Experience

Student’s College/University Career AttainDegree/Goal


SEM is… The range of activities that influence a student’s initial &

continued enrolment The programs, policies & processes that impact

institutional enrolment The organizational framework & structure that supports

institutional & student goals It is tied into the institutional academic & strategic plan

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UM’s Strategic Planning Framework: ObjectivesEnhancing academic offerings (6 key areas)Providing an exceptional student experienceIndigenous achievementBecoming an employer of choice

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The Student Experience“…the student experience needs to transcend a rigorous focus on a particular discipline. Much of the learning that takes place at university does not occur in its classrooms, but in the many other opportunities offered for creative debate, exposure to a multiplicity of view points, involvement in campus associations and activities and interactions with other members of the university community.”

- University of Manitoba

Planning Framework, 2009

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SEM Planning FrameworkStrategic Plan notes one of the efforts to achieve an exceptional student experience should be the development of an enrolment management plan

Strategic enrolment management (SEM) provides an opportunity for us to reflect on who we are, where we have been, and where we want to go. It is a process that enables us to intentionally plan the size and composition of our student body, enhance the student experience, and support student success.

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What have we done?Created Office of Student Life

⁻ CCR⁻ President’s Scholars Program⁻ Student Leadership and Peers Programs⁻ Campus-wide transition and orientation activities

Experiential education initiative⁻ Community Service Learning Programs⁻ Work Integrated Learning⁻ Student exchange and mobility⁻ Undergraduate research

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What have we done? (Cont’d)Blended and E-learning Task Force3 R’s review of academic policies and proceduresGraduate advisor-student guidelinesMental health strategyAcademic advising reviewReview of DFW ratesRenovations to Dafoe LibraryEnhance program review processAdministrative reviews (Aboriginal Student Centre,

Career Services, Chaplains)

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Other Examples …

Your Experience

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Group Discussion VI

What are the obstacles at your institution for implementing a successful student experience plan?

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No Blueprint

• In their book, Student Success in College, George Kuh and associates (2005) assert that, in their study of 20 institutions that performed better than expected with regard to student retention, there was no definite pattern in how these institutions succeeded.

“a unique combination of external and internal factors worked together to crystallize and support an institution-wide focus on student success. No blueprint exists to reproduce what they do, or how, in another setting”

Kuh et al, 2005, p. 21


… it seems clear that a genuine desire to improve, coupled with broad consensus and commitment among those whose choices most directly impact the undergraduate experience, are necessary ingredients for positive change.

- Alexander McCormick

Director, NSSE NSSE Annual Results, 2012

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Why Do Plans Fail ? Unclear vision/vague directions

‾ People responsible for executing strategies don’t understand the big picture & how they contribute/fit in

Unmotivated people‾ No reason to change behaviour/culture

Unfocused leadership‾ Fire fighting instead of managing strategically‾ No accountability

Disconnected resource allocation-Copeland, 2009

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Group Discussion VIIWhat are the most important student engagement components to work on first at your institution to enhance the student experience?

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Partnership and Collaboration

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“Participation & integration is the most important factor at both 4-year and 2-year public institutions in sustaining long-term SEM success.”

-Smith, 1997


Educational Innovations and Praxis

“The success of institutional retention efforts ultimately resides in the institutions’ capacity to engage faculty and administrators across campus in a collaborative effort to construct educational settings, classrooms and otherwise, that actively engage students (all students, not just some) in learning.”

- Tinto, 2006

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“It is time for academic and student affairs professionals alike to realize that it is only through the breaking down of current barriers—real and perceived—that institutions will achieve the outcomes they seek. Through strategic collaboration, both segments…can develop and implement programs and processes that add value and benefit students.”

-Newton & Smith, 2009

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Some Collaboration is Common“High levels of collaboration generally exist between academic and student affairs activities related to counselling, first-year experience programs, orientation and recruitment.”

-Kezaar, Hirsh & Burak, 2002

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However…Many institutions mistake a series of joint events for

true collaborationTo truly be competitive and to meet the rigors of

accountability, institutions must go beyond activities

and embrace collaborative dialogue

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Wrapping Up

Lessons Learned?

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Wrapping Up

Student Engagement Audit

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Wrapping Up

Where will you begin to enhance the student experience

and student engagement on your campus?

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Your toolkit

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Materials

Pre-SEM Summit Workshop PowerPoint presentation

Student Engagement Audit

http://www.uwindsor.ca/sem/sem-summit

http://www.uwindsor.ca/sem/sem-summit


ResourcesCanadian Undergraduate Survey Consortium (CUSC):

http://www.cusc-ccreu.ca/home.htmCanadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS):

http://www.cags.ca/cgpss/Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE):

http://lssse.iub.edu/Common University Data Ontario (CUDO):

http://www.cou.on.ca/statistics/cudoCommunity College Survey on Student Engagement (CSSE):

http://www.ccsse.org/

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http://www.cusc-ccreu.ca/home.htm

http://www.cags.ca/cgpss/

http://lssse.iub.edu/

http://www.cou.on.ca/statistics/cudo

http://www.ccsse.org/


Resources … cont’d National Survey on Student Engagement Website:

http://nsse.iub.edu/html/reports.cfm National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience

and Students in Transition Web site: http://www.sc.edu/fye/

Canadian SEM Website: www.uwindsor.ca/sem (includes all SEM Summit materials)

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http://nsse.iub.edu/html/reports.cfm

http://www.sc.edu/fye/

http://www.uwindsor.ca/sem


Discussion, Comments & Questions

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Contact Us @

Susan Gottheil - [email protected]

Clayton Smith - [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Getting Serious About Engagement - Developing a Campus Plan to Enhance the Student Experience