Learning Resources

By using a metric-based planning framework, researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso identified areas for institutional intervention to enhance social mobility outcomes.

From Volume 51 Number 1 | October–December 2022

Abstract: Social mobility is an emerging area of focus for higher education institutions. In recent years, we have seen a proliferation of measures related to social mobility produced by publishers, scholars, think tanks, and foundations. However, it is still unclear which social mobility measures to advance, or when to intervene to improve social mobility outcomes. We rely on a century of literature from economics, sociology, and policy analysis to identify an appropriate framework to understand higher education’s contribution to social mobility. Using the metric-based planning framework, we identify areas for institutional intervention to enhance social mobility outcomes.

Institutions Mentioned: The University of Texas at El Paso
Planning Types: Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Enrollment Management Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Enrollment Management, Student Demographics, Student Success, Underserved Students

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Example Plans

Published
February 2, 2022

Example Plan

Private Baccalaureate College (Wisconsin, United States)

This short-duration strategic framework describes goals and very specific action steps to guide the institution through the current, globally tumultuous era.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Enrollment Management, Goals, Racial Equity, Strategies and Tactics, Student Recruitment

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Partnerships Promote Inclusion

A university and a secondary school collaborate to decrease dropout rates and increase college enrollment

By: Vibhavari Jani, MA, and Tim Murrell, EdD

Intentional planning and a competency-based, personalized learning model empowers graduate students from the architecture discipline to assist secondary students in becoming knowledge seekers and design professionals.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: American industries, professional organizations, individual companies, and higher education institutions continue to struggle to attract employees from underrepresented populations. Future-forward thinking is required to ensure a multicultural workforce. The authors, a design educator at a predominantly white, Midwestern university, and a high school principal at a multicultural urban school district, developed an intentional collaboration—partnerships between secondary and postsecondary institutions—to bridge the gap. In this article, they share strategies they developed for recruiting and retaining underrepresented students through intentional planning and design of competency-based, personalized learning models.

Institutions Mentioned: Kansas State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Active Learning, Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Collaborative Design, Design Thinking, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Experiential Learning, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Fine and Performing Arts Education, K–12, Student Success, Teaching and Learning, Workforce Development

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The Art and Science of Supporting Adult Learners

Actionable Steps & Strategies

By: Scott Campbell (Co-Moderator), Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) | Terry Brown (Co-Moderator), American Association of State Colleges & Universities | Barry Nickerson, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) | Darrin Theriault, Kennesaw State University | Erika de la Riva, City Colleges of Chicago

More than ever, nontraditional students and adult learners are making up more and more of the student body at colleges and universities across the country. Learn how to effectively stand out from other institutions who are making mistakes in 10 key areas with the adult learner population.

Abstract: This was a free webinar hosted by CAEL, AASCU, and SCUP.

Students over the age of 25 are the fastest-growing segment in higher education. From 2000 to 2012, the enrollment of students over the age of 25 increased by 35%, and between 2012 and 2019, the share of students over age 25 increased by another 23%.

Even though more adult learners and nontraditional students are enrolling in higher education, many institutional practices do not consider the unique needs of this population. The best adult learner strategies not only increase student satisfaction, they improve enrollment rates and adult degree attainment.

More than ever, nontraditional students and adult learners are making up more and more of the student body at colleges and universities across the country. Institutions can create equitable pathways that can help overcome disparities in adult learning, and better prepare themselves for adult students who have been disconnected from higher education.

Learn how to effectively stand out from other institutions who are making mistakes in 10 key areas with the adult learner population.

Institutions Mentioned: Kennesaw State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Demographics, Student Engagement, Student Retention, Student Success, Student Support Services

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Keep on Keepin’ on

Customized Retention Practices Helped Low Income and Single Mom Students to Persist

By: Andrew J. Smith, EdD, and Jennifer Vamvakas, EdD

A support program for low-income and/or single-mother students to improve their persistence and retention was revisited 15 years after it had been launched at Charter Oak State College. Did follow-up with the graduates show that the effort had aided the former participants in obtaining their college degree? Had the collaboration between the institution’s Academic Services, Enrollment Management, and Financial Aid departments—and the support they offered—help the students to persevere? Based on survey results, was the program still of value, and what improvements needed to be made?

From Volume 49 Number 2 | January–March 2021

Abstract: This article is based on follow-up survey research from a doctoral case study that highlighted effective retention practices for low-income and/or single mothers who were students within the Women in Transition (WIT) program at Charter Oak State College. The concept of retention in this instance is an enrollment management practice aimed at maintaining a student population while aiding the institution in sustaining organizational success. Emphasis is placed on the retention concepts of social and academic integration that enabled the specific population to persist and succeed.

Institutions Mentioned: Charter Oak State College
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Measuring the Plan, Original Research, Student Retention, Student Success, Student Support Services, Underserved Students

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Webinar Recordings

Published
March 2, 2021

How to Create a Secondary-Postsecondary Partnership to Promote Diversity, Inclusion, and Underrepresented Populations in Higher Education

By: Dr. Ivan Banks, Alcorn State University | Vibhavari Jani, Kansas State University | Dr. Tim Murrell, Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC)

This webinar will focus on how to develop a secondary-postsecondary partnership to intentionally promote diversity, inclusion, and recognition of under-represented populations through collaboration and integrated planning strategies. The presenters will share their goals and project planning for a competency-based, project-based learning model—with an emphasis on mentoring.

Abstract: Institutions of higher learning and professional firms report concerns about lack of diversity in the workplace. Intentional partnerships can help bridge this gap. This webinar will focus on how to develop a secondary-postsecondary partnership to intentionally promote diversity, inclusion, and recognition of under-represented populations through collaboration and integrated planning strategies.

Institutions Mentioned: Kansas State University
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), External Collaboration / Partnerships, Fine and Performing Arts Education, K–12

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 19, 2020

2020 North Central Regional Conference | October 2020

Making Colleges Student Ready

It’s About Time!

By: Chris Gilmer, President, West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Ivan Banks, Interim Associate Provost, Alcorn State University | La’Tara Osborne-Lampkin, Senior Research Associate, Florida State University | Donzell Lee, Former Interim President and Provost, Alcorn State University | Anthony Johnson, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Philander Smith College | Brady Whipkey, Vice President and Chief of Staff to the President, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

We will share a tool we developed through the National Institutes for Historically-Underserved Students for institutions to assess their readiness to support underserved students. In this session, you will learn about this tool and the detailed survey of relevant research that went into its development as well as discover how you can employ this tool on your campus.

Abstract: Equity and inclusion on campus has never been more important and institutions must come to terms with their current practices in order to improve them. We will share a tool we developed through the National Institutes for Historically-Underserved Students for institutions to assess their readiness to support underserved students. A detailed survey of relevant research went into the development of this readiness tool. In this session, you will learn about this tool and the detailed survey of relevant research that went into its development as well as discover how you can employ this tool on your campus.

Institutions Mentioned: West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, SCUP 2020 North Central Regional Conference, Underserved Students

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Is Higher Education Ready for Its Learners?

Impact Student Success Using the Three-Box Solution

By: Janel Bloch, Ryan D. Padgett, Shawn Rainey, Holly Riffe, Kimberly Scranage, Lois Schultz, and Gannon Tagher

With sweeping shifts in recruitment and retention of students throughout higher education, Northern Kentucky University committed to a pivot. Its new student framework emphasizes student support and academic delivery driven by strategic decisions and data rather than by impulsivity. Their Success by Design framework encouraged innovations that focused the university on meeting learners where they were.

From Volume 48 Number 3 | April–June 2020

Abstract: Northern Kentucky University (NKU) used an expedited and focused strategic planning process by applying Govindarajan’s (2016) Three-Box Solution to simultaneously manage the past, present, and future. A Core Team, supported by multiple resource teams consisting of representatives from all NKU constituencies, gathered input from nearly 2,000 stakeholders. The resulting Success by Design strategic framework concentrated solely on student success. This article describes the ongoing, iterative approach and offers recommendations for those seeking to develop widespread buy-in and unleash the innovative spirit needed to make their institutions more student-ready.

Institutions Mentioned: Northern Kentucky University
Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Planning Processes, Student Success

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Planning Types

Challenges