2014-2015 Board of Trustees Update Report – June 5, 2015
2014-2015 STEERING
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
RESPONSIBILITIES/
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Lunden MacDonald (chair), Myron Anderson, Bridgette Coble, Ramon Del Castillo, Perla Gheiler, Winston Grady -Willis, Greg Sullivan,
David Ruch, Leone Schulz, Cynthia Nunez, Arlene Sgoutas, Morgan Swaney (student).
During the 2014-2015 academic year, the Equity in Excellence Steering Committee facilitated work in each of the four areas that were
the focus of inquiry in the 2014 Equity Scorecard report: First Year Success, Academic Advising, the Metro Summer Scholars Program,
and the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The Steering Committee worked together with Guidance Teams comprised
of representatives of these areas to identify future activities, events, departmental changes, practices, and other interventions that
align with the EiE mission and that will aid in reducing the institution’s equity gaps. The following report documents the current
status of the EiE work, recommends further research needed to understand the achievement gaps identified in the Scorecard, suggests
new areas of inquiry and offers timelines/milestones/metrics for measurement of outcomes.
Scorecard Goals
SCORE CARD GOAL #1: By 2017, the graduation rate for African American/Black students will be 44%.
SCORE CARD GOAL #2: By 2017, the graduation rate for Hispanic/Latino students will be 44%.
BACKGROUND
NARRATIVE
MSU Denver’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan identified a goal of increasing first-time, full-time six-year graduation rate to 44% from 21% by 2017; this
goal was reinforced by Colorado’s Performance Contract with MSU Denver. For African American/Black students to achieve this goal we need to
improve their graduation rates by 27% (based on the performance of first-time, full-time students in the 2006 cohort). For Latino students to
achieve this goal we need to improve their graduation rates by 21% (based on the p erformance of first-time, full-time students in the 2006 cohort).
FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
GUIDANCE TEAM MEMBERS
Cynthia Baron, Lunden MacDonald, Cynthia Armendariz, Fabiola Mora, Lisa Grady-Willis, Yeng Lo (Student).
RESPONSIBILITIES
The FYS Guidance Team facilitated inquiry in order to address EiE recommendations and assisted FYS in selecting activities, events,
and departmental changes that align with the EiE mission and will aid in reducing the institution’s equity gap.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: THE FYS PERSONNEL ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS AT PROVIDING EQUAL SERVICES TO ALL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. MORE
INTENTIONALITY TOWARD IDENTIFYING AND MEETING THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO PARTICIPATE IN FYS MIGHT ACTUALLY A TTRACT MORE STUDENTS
TO THE PROGRAM AND ULTIMATELY IMPROVE RETENTION AND STUDENT SUCCESS.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Intentional Collaboration by the FYS Advising and Student Success
Coordinator, Fabiola Mora, took place in Summer 2014 to reach out to
Summer Scholars and Colorado Challenge participants and enroll them
in FYS Learning Communities.
2. The Cultivating Connections Program for FYS students was
successfully launched in 2014 and expanded in 2015 by FYS faculty
member, Lisa Grady-Willis, and FYS Advising and Student Success
Coordinator, Fabiola Mora. The Cultivating Connections Program
focuses on students of color using the approach of Affirming Identity,
Building Community, and Cultivating Leadership. Students participate
in interactive sessions designed to encourage increased participation
in the MSU Denver campus community.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Ongoing communication and collaboration with both
programs for intentional recruitment and seamless
transition support.
Faculty facilitator (Lisa Grady-Willis)
Staff Support (Fabiola Mora and Antonia Garza)
Course Release time
*A base-funded Program Coordinator position has
been established to advance recruitment and
retention and to support EiE initiatives.
*$56,000.00
Page 1 of 8
3. Additional culturally-specific programs sponsored by FYS include
the Annual Latino Welcome Program and the Chinese New Year
Celebration. In collaboration with the Office of Career Services and
various Latina/o student organizations, FYS hopes to sponsor an
¡Adelante! leadership program targeted at Latina/o students in 2015.
4. Undocumented Student Support Initiatives are also taking place in
the form of a new student organization (RISE), Dreamer Day
participation, and training for faculty and staff. A Lumina grant
proposal to increase support for this population was successfully
written, and collaboration with other key retention and enrollment
departments on identifying retention strategies for undocumented
students will also contribute to future movement in this area.
5. Co-hosting of a Bilingual Family Campus Visit Day on November 14 th
2015 with Adams School District 50 focusing on Elementary- to High
School-age students and their parents on considering MSU Denver as
an accessible prospect for going to college.
6. Pilot Partnership Initiative with the MSU Denver Admissions Office
and Denver Public Schools on a Spring High School Outreach
Program focusing on 6 DPS High Schools.
7. Participation in the Faculty/Staff Cultural Competency Learning
Community helped train staff to work with diverse student
populations and identify areas of growth for FYS. Student
Ambassadors engaged in and will continue to participate in cultural
competence training including, identity development, micro
aggressions, leadership, etc.
POSSIBLE
OUTCOME
Ongoing collaboration with identified programs and
units throughout the institution.
Ongoing communication, collaboration, and training
for staff and faculty around supporting
undocumented students. Further grant-writing will
also continue to support these efforts.
$500
Ongoing Collaboration with community partners
Ongoing collaboration and development of high
school outreach materials.
Support from Marketing and Communications.
Coordinated training for FYS team and student staff. $1000.00
Training materials.
By expanding these culturally-responsive initiatives and campus and community partnerships, such efforts will result in improved recruitment and
retention numbers for students of color.
SCORD CARD RECOMMENDATION: PROVIDE MORE TRAINING, INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION ON FYS PROGRAMMING, BACKGROUND, AND PARAMETERS TO FULL-TIME AND
AFFILIATE FACULTY WHO TEACH IN THE PROGRAM.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Improved FYS Faculty communications have been implemented via a FYS Faculty Resource
Guide distributed every semester; it highlights curricular and co-curricular programs for faculty
to integrate into their courses. Faculty incentives and opportunities are also advertised in the
Resource Guide and through a FYS Faculty Newsletter that goes out to all MSU Denver faculty.
2. FYS Faculty Welcome at beginning and FYS Faculty Celebration at end of each academic year
provide fora to highlight opportunities/benefits for faculty. The Welcome serves as orientation
for both first-time and returning faculty. A For Faculty By Faculty Workshop series sponsored
by FYS has also supported faculty development. Periodic faculty strategy sessions provide
additional opportunities for FYS faculty to dialogue about their experiences in FYS.
3. Communication in 2015 via the FYS Faculty Newsletter about participation of and retention
success with students of color in FYS.
4. Spring sponsorship of Cultural Competency in the Classroom Faculty Development Program
with Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, open to all MSU Denver faculty – Friday, April 17 th , 2015.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Support from academic departments in
sharing FYS faculty development
opportunities and incentives with faculty.
Ongoing collaboration/support from
academic departments/colleges/schools to
encourage faculty to take advantage of the
orientation session designed for those
teaching in the FYS Program.
Spring 2015 Census Report from the Office of
Institutional Research.
Campus co-sponsorship, collaboration, and
$3000.00
support in increasing faculty participation.
Page 2 of 8
5. Spring Faculty Roundtable in conjunction with Bonilla-Silva’s Faculty Development Program.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Lunch.
$500
Increased faculty awareness of the increasingly diverse student population at MSU Denver and the initiation of cultural competency training for
MSU Denver faculty.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: THE WEBSITE SHOULD BE UPGRADED WITH ASSISTANCE OF AN EXPERT WHO UNDERSTANDS BOTH WEB DESIGN AND STUDENT SERVICES TO
CREATE A MORE USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN FOR FIRST-TIME-TO-COLLEGE STUDENTS AND/OR STUDENTS OF COLOR.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
2.
3.
FYS Website has undergone branding revisions with Marketing and Communications around
the theme of “Transformation.” The FYS website will continue to be evaluated and improved
upon in collaboration with Marketing and Communications.
The development of a parent resources section on the FYS website that will be translated
into Spanish by an outsourced entity identified by Marketing and Communications.
The development of a high school student resource page for potential students considering
MSU Denver with specific marketing content to this population. Such content will be
identified though collaboration with the DPS High School outreach pilot.
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Ongoing support from Marketing and
Communications.
Outsourced translation of website content.
Collaboration with DPS and Adams 50 to
identify user-friendly language and pertinent
information to share with high school
students and families.
4. The use of more photos of students of color that reflect a diverse student population.
Greater emphasis on highlighting
achievements of students of color through
Marketing and Communications products
and social media.
Changes to the online image of FYS will be more appealing to prospective and current students who encounter images
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
and language that more accurately reflect their transition to and cultural presence at the university; they may also be
more appealing to parents and families considering MSU Denver as a school of choice.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: A YEAR LONG MODEL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED INSTEAD OF THE ONE SEMESTER SET UP.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
1.
In 2015-16 FYS intends to offer 20 full-year learning community options.
2.
FYS course schedule has been more intentionally identifying major pathway courses for
first-year students. This option also allows for a potential learning community cohort and
pathways for majors.
Collaboration with academic departments to
expand full year model.
Collaboration with academic departments
and FYS Advisory Board to identify major
pathway courses.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
APPROX $
Greater retention and more timely progress toward graduation.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
GUIDANCE TEAM MEMBERS
Ned Muhovich, Myron Anderson, Scott Bergman, Michelle Dupuis, Yee Tai (student)
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Academic Advising Guidance Team facilitated inquiry in order to address EiE recommendations and assisted Academic Advising in
selecting activities, events, and departmental changes that align with the EiE mission and will aid in reducing the institution’s equity
gap.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
Page 3 of 8
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: TO PROVIDE MORE CULTURALLY CONSCIOUS ADVISING, ALL ADVISORS IN THE ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER SHOULD COMPLETE CULTURAL
COMPETENCY TRAINING AND BE ENCOURAGED TO FOCUS ON MORE INTENTIONALITY WHEN WORKING WITH STUDENTS FROM CULTURALLY DIVERSE GROU PS.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
1. Formed Advisors Council to develop training materials
Provost (to charge group—received)
$200
2. Develop plan to incorporate cultural competence into comprehensive training for all advisors .
Buy-in from deans
$500
3. Tie advisor training outcomes to the institution’s goal outcomes.
4. Hire advising trainer and include cultural competence prominently in the position description
5. Hire 16 advisors/retention specialists in Colleges and School to enhance student experience
and retention; hire additional financial aid and admissions staff.
6. Implement other recommendations from the NACADA audit with respect to training, etc.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
$1,800,323
Comprehensive training program for all professional advisors that includes cultural competence as a cornerstone will
enhance Academic Advising’s ability to support students of color and contribute to increased retention and
graduation rates.
DEFERRED ITEMS
NACADA audit also recommends comprehensive advising training for faculty advisors.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: THE WEBSITE SHOULD BE UPGRADED WITH ASSISTANCE OF AN EXPERT WHO UNDERSTANDS BOTH WEB DESIGN AND STUDENT NEEDS TO
CREATE A MORE USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN FOR FIRST TIME-TO-COLLEGE STUDENTS AND/OR STUDENTS OF COLOR.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Redesign landing page with structure similar to Admissions, to more quickly direct students to
resources.
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Marketing & Communications.
2. Provide translated materials.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Redesign site to be congruent with current Marketing and Communications efforts.
DEFERRED ITEMS
Appointment scheduling or specific advisor contact information for students, regardless or discipline, credit hours, and proximity to graduation – possible in a future
phase of Student Success Collaborative.
NACADA audit recommendation is to move some items envisioned for this site to student Success Hub (ConnectU portal upgrade in progress).
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
GUIDANCE TEAM MEMBERS
Dave Ruch, Ramon Del Castillo, Bridgette Coble, Lindsay Packer.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Math Guidance Team facilitated inquiry in order to address EiE recommendations and assisted Math in selecting activities, events,
and departmental changes that align with the EiE mission and will aid in reducing the institution’s equity gap.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATIONS: REDUCE MATH ANXIETY & INCREASE CONFIDENCE
1. Continue efforts to uncover racial inequity issues in math courses at MSU Denver and develop strategies to resolve these inequities.
2. Develop a “Train the Trainers” model in cultural competence for student tutors .
3. Provide information to faculty on how to create equity-minded syllabi.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
Page 4 of 8
4. Engage in partnerships that help improve math skills of Denver youth.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
The Math department is developing a stretch course for College Algebra. This course will run for
two semesters and will keep students at MSU Denver who would typically be directed to CCD.
Students of color are overrepresented in this group and the CCD courses are not preparing them to
succeed in College Algebra. Outcomes will look at the number of students who passed College
Algebra before the stretch course was developed and the number who pass after enrolling in the
stretch course. This data will be disaggregated by race. The intent is to determine racial inequity
in successful completion of College Algebra and to launch a specific response to resolve the issues.
The faculty development presentation by James Gray (see below) has launched ideas for training
our student tutors and Student Success Tutoring Center staff. Guidance team members will also
research and create a list of resources that can be utilized to integrate cultural competence into
training tutors in the Math department and Student Academic Success Center.
The presentation by James Gray also launched ideas for enhancing syllabi.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Reassigned time for course development,
modifications for peer study rooms, special
peer study instructor training and salary.
Data analysis of student outcomes.
Department summer
revenue is covering the
estimated $8,000 costs
for 2014-16.
See C below
See C below
No additional support needed at his time.
No costs associated with
this effort at this time.
Implementation of stretch course for College Algebra and analysis of student outcomes disaggregated by race will
inform future efforts to promote success and equity for students of color.
The successful presentation by James Gray will contribute to the development of next step action items.
DEFERRED ITEMS
Engage in partnerships that help improve math skills of Denver youth; specifically, collaborate
with local high schools to analyze curriculum and to promote a more successful high school -tocollege transition in math classes.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATIONS: ENHANCING DEVELOPMENTAL/BASIC SKILLS COURSES
1. Develop equity-minded advising strategies that promote the value of basic skill development .
2. Cultural Competence training for counselors and advising staff centered on how to reduce stereotype threat.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Investigate potential resources available that can support enhanced training for advisors. Include No additional support needed at his time. No costs associated with
ideas from James Gray presentation.
this effort at this time.
The creation of a list of resources that can be utilized to integrate cultural competence into training for academic and
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
faculty advisors as well as tutors in the Math department and Student Academic Success Center.
DEFERRED ITEMS
Develop equity-minded advising strategies that promote the value of basic skill development
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATIONS: FACULTY DEVELOPMENT & COURSE RELEVANCY
1. Provide campus-wide cultural competence training.
2. Provide information to Math faculty on inclusive pedagogy and how to make math relevant to students ’ lived experience.
3. Develop and implement a plan to hire Category II Math Lecturers who are cultural ly competent.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Page 5 of 8
Contribute to planning of Celebration of Inclusive Excellence and promote relevant programs to
Math faculty.
Math faculty will participate in a presentation by James Gray who teaches math at the Community
College of Aurora and has engaged in inclusive practices within his department. His presentation
will allow our faculty to learn more about resources available and strategies for making pedagogy
more inclusive.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
N/A
N/A
Honorarium for James Gray and snacks for Estimated $600 to be
participants
requested from
University Diversity
funds.
Math faculty will be more knowledgeable about cultural competence and inclusive pedagogy.
DEFERRED ITEMS
Develop and implement a plan to hire Category II Math Lecturers who are cultural ly competent.
Math will be hiring Category II Math Lecturers for 2014-2015. We plan to incorporate an interview question on cultural competency for the hiring process.
MSSP (BRIDGE PROGRAM) SUMMER SCHOLARS (TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AND REPLACED BY SUMMER SPRING TO FALL 1ST YEAR TO 2ND YEAR RETENTION PROGRAM
GUIDANCE TEAM MEMBERS
RESPONSIBILITIES
SPECIAL NOTES
Lidia Alvarez, Perla Gheiler, Winston Grady-Willis, Donelyn Jones, Will Mellion, Tina Moses, Arlene Sgoutas
The MSSP Guidance Team facilitated inquiry in order to address EiE recommendations and assisted MSSP in selecting activities, events,
and departmental changes that align with the EiE mission and will aid in reducing the institution’s equity gap.
The Guidance Team applauds the commitment on the part of MSU Denver’s senior leadership to provide scholarship funding for
students to participate in the program. The next iteration of the program is planned to be the MSU Denver Bridge Scholarship Program
and will be re-implemented in summer 2016. Bridge will work to support both the Colorado Commission on Higher Education’s
Statewide Remediation Policy and the Denver Plan of the Denver Public Schools by structuring a set of collaborative relationships with
community partners on and off campus. A key objective of the program is to implement a successful eight-week pre-collegiate summer
scholarship program. To fulfill that objective, Bridge will involve concurrent enrollment for re mediation and college success. There is
also discussion of creating an Adult Summer Bridge program to support Adult students beginning (or returning) to their higher
education careers. A separate stand-alone initiative will be the STEM summer bridge program.
For summer 2015, MSU Denver is introducing a pilot program, Summer Spring to Fall, which will serve students who have already
experienced one or two years at MSU Denver, but who do not appear likely to return for another year. This pilot project is data-driven,
utilizing information from the Noel-Levitz Predictive Analytics Model to determine which students are most likely to make the decision
not to return to school. The pilot Summer Spring to Fall program will serve 35 students. Isaac Garcia noted that the “hope is to provide
students with an intensive, holistic and proactive approach to student advising, advocacy, career exploration, and mentoring.”
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: ALIGN THE RETENTION GOAL (CURRENTLY 65% IN 2014) FOR THE MSSP PROGRAM WITH THE INSTITUTION’S OVERALL RETENTION GOAL
FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS TO 75%. THIS MAY MEAN ADJUSTING THE PROGRAM TO BETTER MEET STUDENT NEEDS.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Bridge Program now in line with 75% retention rate for all programs of the Student Academic
Success Center.
The Noel-Levitz data can be used to identify Black and Latin@ students specifically to participate
in the pilot program.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Improved retention for students from sophomore to junior year.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
Page 6 of 8
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: DEVELOP AND PLAN MSSP CURRICULUM EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Jessica Parker, English Department, will offer stretch composition course in the future.
Communication, Arts and Sciences Department will offer specific courses in the future.
Mathematics and Computer Sciences Department will offer relevant courses in the future.
The Institute for Women’s Studies and Services will pilot its newly developed Student Success
Skills course during summer 2015.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: UPDATE THE WEBPAGE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAIL REGARDING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, ADMISSIONS AND PROGRAM SELECTION
PROCESSES; TRANSLATE INTO SPANISH APPROPRIATE SECTIONS THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR PARENTS.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
An effort will be made to update the web page in line with programmatic changes associated with Institution or program webmaster.
rebranding as MSU Denver Bridge Scholarship Program.
Accordingly, once web page update has begun, a concomitant effort will be made to translate
Staff member fluent in Spanish
appropriate sections into Spanish.
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: COMPLEMENT MSSP STRUCTURE AND COURSE OFFERINGS WITH OTHER PROGRAMMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS IN ORDER TO BETTER SUPPORT
STUDENT SUCCESS, ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR.
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH EACH RECOMMENDATION
SUPPORT NEEDED
APPROX $
Consideration should be given to establishing a freestanding lecture component drawn from the
Department of Chicana/Chicano Studies and the Department of Africana Studies.
Motivating students through cultural engagement
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Confronting stereotype threat
SCORE CARD GOAL #3: Every year between now and 2017, MSU Denver will collect six-year graduation data disaggregated by race/ethnicity to monitor progress towards
achieving outcomes equity in graduation rates.
FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH EACH RECOMMENDATION
SUPPORT NEEDED
1. Collection of data by race and ethnicity on program participation in co-curricular student
programs
2. Collection of data by race and ethnicity to identify a correlation between program
participation and academic performance.
3. Collection of qualitative data through a focus group on students of color who participated in
the FYS program in Fall 2014 for program evaluation to determine student needs.
Digital Student Participation Tracking
System.
Reporting from Coordinator for Data and
Assessment.
Faculty and Staff to facilitate focus groups
and analyze data.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
APPROX $
(In Kind)
(Course Release x 2)
20/$25.00=$500
Amazon Gift Cards for
student participants
Such data collection will allow for better-informed and more intentional program planning and development.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
Page 7 of 8
SCORE CARD RECOMMENDATION: THE ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER SHOULD DISAGGREGATE ITS ADVISING DATA.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH EACH RECOMMENDATION
SUPPORT NEEDED
1. Disaggregate outcome from SOAR.
New Student Orientation
2. Disaggregate General Studies completion data.
ITS (Cognos reporting)
APPROX $
3. Disaggregate Undeclared program data.
4. Disaggregate previous University-wide advising surveys.
OIR
Example outcome: additional outreach/resources for Undeclared students of color if analysis shows different patterns of major selection.
POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Lessons Learned:
BACKGROUND
NARRATIVE
LESSON #1
OBJECTIVE
As the EiE Steering Committee and Advisory Committee have worked to achieve the goals delineated in the Responsibilities/
Background/Objectives sections above, we have learned valuable lessons that should inform our continuing efforts to achieve equity in
serving all of our students to improve our retention and graduation rates for everyone .
Identifying academic content and student affairs areas that will have the requisite impact on student success in the timeframe identified is
critical.
Identifying target areas that will help us achieve the articulated goals. For example, Math was a great content area to target because we know
it is one of those content areas where students postpone taking a foundational General Education Course, thus delaying their graduation and
negatively affecting their retention.
However, at least two (2) of the three (3) student affairs areas of focus we selected could only affect the six-year graduation rates (if all the
recommendations are implemented by fall 2015) of a graduating class of 2021! Thus, we must identify student affairs and acade mic content
areas that will improve the retention and graduation rates of students who are already here to achieve our goals of affecting retention and
graduation by 2017.
OUTCOME GOAL
POSSIBLE FUTURE
TARGET AREAS
To impact students who are on campus now to positively affect their retention and graduation rates.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Brother-to-Brother
Veterans Groups
ALANA
Fostering Success
Student Academic Success
Financial Aid
LESSON #2
To identify and implement useful recommendations is at least a two - if not a three-year process; one can only begin to analyze the impact of
those changes then in the third or fourth year at the earliest.
OBJECTIVE
Continue to monitor progress and track student cohorts from 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 to assess impact.
OUTCOME GOAL
Improve retention and graduation rates for all students.
Equity in Excellence Task Force Recommendations
Page 8 of 8