STUDENT SUCCESS CENTERS : WORKING BETTER TOGETHER TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS

SESSION OUTLINE 1.Why consider implementing a Student Success Center? 2.Model Varieties 3.The Planning Process 4.Cardinal Stritch’s SSC 5.Challenges & Opportunities 6.Relationships

WHY IMPLEMENT A STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER? A comprehensive way to increase student service through:  Shared Vision and Goals  Intentional Collaboration  Better Communication  Cross Training  Student Focused  A Foundation for Student Success

MODEL VARIETIES

GUIDING CONCEPTS*  Are communities of practice  Take a central position between academic and student affairs  Foster collaboration  Support the institution’s mission  Have some relationship with the general education  Sponsor faculty and staff development *Evenbeck, S. E., Jackson, B., Smith, M., Ward, D. & Associates. (2010). Organizing for student success: The University college model. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

THE PLANNING PROCESS

USE EXISTING RESOURCES AND DATA Noel Levitz Retention Consultant exploratory visit-a series of focus groups clarified key themes that need to be addressed including:  Developmental Education  FYE  Advising  CORE  Faculty role in retention  Transfer students  CBM students  Financial Aid processing/counseling  Customer Service  Academic Support University Retention and Graduation Report Data

CASE STUDIES Case studies on over 40 different institutional structures:  Both Student Success Centers and University College models  Control  Enrollment  Title  Services/Areas Included  Most intriguing/innovative  Most concerning or non-translatable  What aspects of the design are adaptable to the institution

MODEL MATRIX PROCESS Considering areas of inclusion:  Can, Should, and How will incorporating these areas:  Reduce complexities  Increase efficiencies  Improve practice  In the theme areas identified

REFOCUSING OF GOALS AND PURPOSE Answering the why?  As a Retention Committee: how could this structure assist us in meeting retention goals?  As an institution, how could this structure support the visioning and planning goals?  Goal 1: Academic Excellence  Goal 2: Enrollment Growth  Goal 3: Reducing Complexities  Goal 4: Vibrant Student Experience

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK  Committee reviewed a number of different frameworks  8 individual areas pulled from Enrollment, Student Affairs, and Academics grouped under a Senior Director  5 semi consolidated areas pulled from Enrollment, Student Affairs, and Academics grouped under a Senior Director  3 consolidated areas pulled from Enrollment, Student Affairs, and Academics grouped under a Senior Director  Agreement on one framework that best supports goals and organizes for graduation

KEY ASSUMPTIONS Key assumptions that guided the process:  Connected to Academics  Most of these things are being done-focus on creating capacity and resources on a larger scale  Liberal Arts CORE change  Need for common student experiences/reduce fracturing  Organizing to serve all undergrads  Creates culture of and institutionalizes collaboration around student success

CARDINAL STRITCH’S SSC

KEY IMPLICATIONS  Control  Reorganization  Scope of Service  CORE revision  Location

PURPOSE Student Success Center Purpose Statement: To provide dynamic student driven services and experiences designed to develop each student’s capacity to achieve academic success and discover their purpose.

YEAR 1 GOALS By August 2014, the Student Success Center will create the appropriate infrastructure to increase communication, promote collaboration, and align resources, to meet student needs. By August 2014, the Student Success Center will create a culture that is accessible and responsive to students and encourages visibility and engagement in the campus life of the undergraduate student population. By August 2014, the Student Success Center will develop curricular and co-curricular supportive activities and programming with articulated student learning outcomes and identified assessment measures intended to promote students’ personal and academic success. By August 2014, the Student Success Center will create and implement a Retention and Graduation Management Plan and tracking system in order to accomplish annual persistence, retention, and graduation goals for all Cardinal Stritch University students. By August 2014, the Student Success Center will complete a 3-5 year strategic plan for the Student Success Center.

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

CHALLENGES  Changing Student Perceptions  Communicating with our stakeholders  Creating systems to work together  Defining roles

OPPORTUNITIES  Collaboration and Dialogue  Led to two new pilots with grant funding  Increased Communication and Effectiveness within the Center  Better partnerships with faculty  Student Employment  Cross Training  New programs/ program enhancements

RELATIONSHIPS

THE WACRAO CONNECTION ADMISSIONS Communication Flows New Student Registration Days Orientation Transfer student continuum New program development and recruiting Changes to placement testing requirements Expanding articulation agreements OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR Early Alert Systems Retention Tracking and Reporting Advising Continuum Referrals and Tracking Expanding articulation agreements Online Registration and daily processes Strategic intervention processes

QUESTION & ANSWER