Learning Resources

This academic plan document enumerates the institution’s academic goals and strategies, with special focus on generating or enhancing interdisciplinary connections between the primary academic themes.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Resource Types: Academic Plan
Tags: Academic Planning, Canada, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Goals, Health and Wellness, Hybrid Learning, Interdisciplinary, Online Learning, Racial Equity, Science / Engineering, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), Strategies and Tactics, Sustainability (Environmental), Teaching and Learning

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Designing and Developing Mature, Mission-Aligned Online Academic Programs at Jesuit Institutions

By: Royce Robertson, PhD

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2019–2020 program. Online education should not be perceived as a distraction of the mission—rather, an enhancement of it.

Abstract: Online academic programs can bring your institution's mission to life . . . but it won't happen by accident. You need processes that intentionally integrate your mission into course design and development. This research examines these processes at Jesuit institutions, using a maturity model to evaluate how the mission is considered and acted upon during instructional design. The insights and advice shared can help any institution, from community colleges to research universities. Learn how you can start bringing your mission to life in your online courses.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Mission / Vision / Identity, Online Learning, Original Research, Planning Processes

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Mission-Aligned Online Academic Programs at US Jesuit Institutions

Identify and Implement Practices That Mature the Development of Courses

By: Royce L. Robertson, EdD

A custom survey measured the process maturity involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating online offerings that reflected the principles of Ignatian Pedagogy.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: The purpose of the research was to observe process maturity associated with the design and development of mission-aligned online academic programs at Jesuit institutions in the United States. Twenty of the twenty-seven American Jesuit institutions were represented, including respondents who were most responsible for implementing the process used to design and develop online courses and programs. A custom survey was created to measure the process maturity involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating the design and development. The research design focused on narrative analysis of each institutional mission, which identified themes and keywords that were included in the custom survey.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Implementation, Measuring the Plan, Mission / Vision / Identity, Online Learning, Original Research, Planning Processes

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 13, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

SCUP Fellow Presentation | Designing and Developing Mature, Mission-aligned Online Academic Courses

By: Pamme Boutselis, Southern New Hampshire University | Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, Arizona State University | Kathe Lehman-Meyer, St Mary's University | Royce Robertson, Le Moyne College

In this session, we’ll: 1) explain how process maturity and instructional design interact, 2) review basic elements of institutional missions, and 3) consider ways that mission statements get translated into instructional strategies.

Abstract: Your institutional mission is an important element of what makes your institution distinctive. The rapid expansion of online course and program development may compromise that distinctiveness if there are not mature, intentional, mission-aligned practices put in place to ensure that the mission comes to life in the online classroom. We’ll: 1) explain how process maturity and instructional design interact, 2) review basic elements of institutional missions, and 3) consider ways that mission statements get translated into instructional strategies. There are implications for institutional planning when you attempt to design and develop mission-aligned online courses and programs.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Mission / Vision / Identity, Online Learning, SCUP 2021 Annual Conference, Teaching and Learning

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Example Plans

Published
March 5, 2021

Strategic Plan

Private Master’s College or University (Alabama, United States)

The university’s strategic plan details five broad goals with supporting strategies and measures for success. Focus centers on student success and leveraging technology for the 21st-century learning experience.

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American University of Beirut’s Meta-Assessment Framework

Rubrics Improve Evaluation Processes, Set Clear Expectations, and Help in Decision-Making

By: Hiba Itani, M.Ed, MEM, Dania Salem, M.Ed, MEM, and Ali El-Hajj, PhD

In a higher education setting, it is important to evaluate assessment processes, establish clear expectations, and efficiently make decisions. Doing so will support program and unit outcomes and periodic program and unit reviews, aligning with the institution’s strategic plan and optimizing budget allocation.

From Volume 49 Number 2 | January–March 2021

Abstract: This article presents a framework for developing a meta-assessment process for evaluating assessment practices in higher education institutions. Meta-assessment is important for improving assessment processes, setting clear expectations, and efficient decision-making. The comprehensive literature on this topic that is included in this article suggests that developing meta-assessment rubrics is an effective method for evaluating assessment. The meta-assessment results can be used in combination with qualitative resources to encourage program self-improvement. At the American University of Beirut, different meta-assessment checklists were developed based on best practices for evaluating program learning outcomes assessment, unit outcomes assessment, periodic program review, and periodic unit review.

Institutions Mentioned: American University of Beirut
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Academic Program Review, Administrative Program Review, Assessment / Analytics, Measuring the Plan

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Leveraging Institutional Planning to Benefit Latinx Students

Racially Disaggregated and Actionable Data Improve Community College Transfer Success

By: Eric R. Felix, PhD

How can institutional planners make a difference for underrepresented minority students? Senior administrators at East Los Angeles College addressed inequities in Latinx student transfer rates with data-backed culturally-relevant strategies.

From Volume 49 Number 2 | January–March 2021

Abstract: California Community Colleges, since 2014, have explicitly targeted retention, transfer, and completion outcomes through a mandated planning process supported by newly-allocated fiscal resources. The policy focuses on equity-driven institutional planning that identifies and addresses disparities for specific groups (e.g., Latinx students, foster youths, veterans). This article shares insight from five years of case study research, exploring how senior administrators address Latinx student transfer inequity through new culturally-relevant strategies. Within California, Latinx students comprise the largest share of transfer-aspirants, but they have significantly lower rates of academic success. Key lessons are shared to leverage planning efforts to improve outcomes for underrepresented minority students.

Institutions Mentioned: East Los Angeles College
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Community College, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Governmental Policies and Regulations, Implementation, Racial Equity, Student Demographics, Student Success, Student Support Services

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 23, 2020

2020 Annual Conference | July 2020

Education, Opportunity, and Justice in a Post-COVID World

By: Earl Lewis, Director and Founder, U-M Center for Social Solutions, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

No institution has escaped worrying about the wellbeing of staff, students, faculty and alumni; no school has gone untouched by the economic fallout of going online or staying in place; all anticipate new costs whether instruction is online or hybrid.

Abstract: Leaders across higher education have had to confront the collision of three pandemics—health, economic, and racial. No institution has escaped worrying about the wellbeing of staff, students, faculty and alumni; no school has gone untouched by the economic fallout of going online or staying in place; all anticipate new costs whether instruction is online or hybrid. Most know they have an obligation to address racism and inequality. Where does diversity, equity, and inclusion fit in this world? Should it fit?

Institutions Mentioned: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Organizational Culture, Racial Equity, SCUP 2020 Annual Conference

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