Learning Resources

Abstract: The University of Southern Indiana (USI) embarked on a unique, customized environmental scanning process different from those found in the literature and in practice. We thoroughly detail our process with an emphasis on a trend analysis of five overarching themes (demographics, business, science and technology, governance, and higher education). The results of the trend analysis were integrated with the organization’s prioritized strengths through a series of qualitative interviews with internal and external stakeholders. Finally, we summarize the outcomes associated with disseminating this work throughout our campus and describe how it will inform the next iteration of our strategic plan.

Abstract: Military veterans have received federal support to better prepare for success in higher education for nearly five decades. One such federal program, Veterans Upward Bound, has existed since the Johnson administration with a goal to increase veterans’ postsecondary education completion rates. Although there is clearly a demonstrated need for such efforts, the question remains whether these support programs are successful. This article explores federal reporting of programs designed to prepare veterans for the postsecondary learning environment in terms of goal achievement. Findings suggest inconsistent internal data collection methods, nonexistent outcome reporting, and conflicting data on veterans’ postsecondary success rates from non-government agencies.

Abstract: Academic programs should be the centrifugal force informing and driving the accomplishment of all other institutional plans. While financial, capital, and enrollment management plans are critical to institutional success, each is secondary to academic programs as a driving force. Institutions should simultaneously move toward “integrated planning” while developing a hierarchy of plans, with the academic program portfolio as primary. Undertaking more effective planning will require attention to several elements: operationalizing the mission, confronting the real issues, integrating resources into the plan, staying within institutional scope, quitting some programs and services, focusing on implementation and assessment, and maintaining a planning database for management purposes. The primacy of academic programs in the development of higher education plans will presage their success.

Abstract: Despite the fact that U.S. federal TRIO programs, like the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, aim to enrich academic spaces for underrepresented students, there are many challenges that minority students face as they move through the program pipeline. This article provides insight into programming efforts by the McNair program at the University of Texas-Austin through interviews with current and past McNair scholars. Furthermore, areas of improvement in planning and integration for local and national application are discussed using the example of UT-Austin’s Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium.