Feedback from day 1

Today I learned... The degree to which non-academic resources impact student success. The degree to which non-academic resources impact student success. My enthusiasm for the work we do and the appreciation for those I work with has increased. My enthusiasm for the work we do and the appreciation for those I work with has increased. How policies can impact student success and retention. How policies can impact student success and retention. That we need to create alternative routes for admission to the university. That we need to create alternative routes for admission to the university. That we could try to add a perk to our ACT Prep class that could help in recruitment. That we could try to add a perk to our ACT Prep class that could help in recruitment.

Today I learned... Many factors that play into student success are non- academic in nature. Many factors that play into student success are non- academic in nature. Rituals are important. Rituals are important. A lot about the entire picture of higher ed and specifically USFSM. A lot about the entire picture of higher ed and specifically USFSM. A lot of stats and what stats are important. I get the big picture. A lot of stats and what stats are important. I get the big picture. That many feel the same way as me. That many feel the same way as me.

Today I learned... Don’t say “freshmen” or “undeclared” but rather say exploratory and find another term for freshmen. Don’t say “freshmen” or “undeclared” but rather say exploratory and find another term for freshmen. Issues in areas other than my own. Issues in areas other than my own. How younger students progress through our existing systems. How younger students progress through our existing systems. That it is not necessarily academics that need to be changed, but other institutional facets that can enhance student retention, time to completion, employment, and student success. That it is not necessarily academics that need to be changed, but other institutional facets that can enhance student retention, time to completion, employment, and student success.

Today I learned... About more metrics. About more metrics. About DFWI rates and that we are unintentionally doing well in this area. About DFWI rates and that we are unintentionally doing well in this area. About how parameters of retention, timely completion, employment/further education, and satisfaction affect student success (particularly career services). About how parameters of retention, timely completion, employment/further education, and satisfaction affect student success (particularly career services). How much is going on toward these goals. How much is going on toward these goals.

Today I learned... More about our institution—its strengths and issues. More about our institution—its strengths and issues. We all seem to be on the same page about what we are lacking to be successful. We all seem to be on the same page about what we are lacking to be successful. Data about retention, including our successes and areas for improvement. Data about retention, including our successes and areas for improvement. Ideas for enhancing rituals and traditions. Ideas for enhancing rituals and traditions.

Today I learned... Ideas to develop faculty interaction. Ideas to develop faculty interaction. Ideas for activities, initiatives, discussions to incorporate soft skills into co-curricular activities. Ideas for activities, initiatives, discussions to incorporate soft skills into co-curricular activities. That student success impacts all areas of a student’s experience from beginning to end. That student success impacts all areas of a student’s experience from beginning to end. We are not that far off. We are not that far off.  

Tomorrow we should make sure that we... Have an implementable plan for student success. Have an implementable plan for student success. Cover what stats are important and why they are important, and build a vision (a concrete picture) of what the future looks like. Cover what stats are important and why they are important, and build a vision (a concrete picture) of what the future looks like. Touch more on honors for four-year; touch more on clubs and organizations; touch more on civic engagement; touch more on whatever you think we need. Touch more on honors for four-year; touch more on clubs and organizations; touch more on civic engagement; touch more on whatever you think we need. Develop some concrete steps to take. Develop some concrete steps to take.

Tomorrow we should make sure that we... Make action plans. We can’t just talk about these large issues any longer. Make action plans. We can’t just talk about these large issues any longer. Discuss intentional strategies. Discuss intentional strategies. Act on reducing red tape and commit to action period. Act on reducing red tape and commit to action period. Develop a plan specific to USFSM student success. Develop a plan specific to USFSM student success. Focus on structure and strategy; processes that use faculty, staff, and students together; develop more focus on community engagement and how this method can help retention, employment success, and satisfaction. Focus on structure and strategy; processes that use faculty, staff, and students together; develop more focus on community engagement and how this method can help retention, employment success, and satisfaction.

Tomorrow we should make sure that we... Leave with action plans. Leave with action plans. Link up with student success metrics linked with funding to figure out ways and means for improvement. Link up with student success metrics linked with funding to figure out ways and means for improvement. Emphasize community/campus collaboration as an asset in student success. Emphasize community/campus collaboration as an asset in student success. Find out where USFSM needs to spend effort and money toward student success initiatives that are critical within the next few years. Find out where USFSM needs to spend effort and money toward student success initiatives that are critical within the next few years.

Tomorrow we should make sure that we... Think critically about faculty involvement in co- curricular activities. Think critically about faculty involvement in co- curricular activities. Discuss the reality of our challenges and develop a plan to overcome them in order to improve the metrics we have been charged with. Discuss the reality of our challenges and develop a plan to overcome them in order to improve the metrics we have been charged with. Have some strong ideas and plans that we commit to move forward with. Not just talk, but action. Have some strong ideas and plans that we commit to move forward with. Not just talk, but action. Talk about how we can involve faculty in recruitment. Talk about how we can involve faculty in recruitment.