Post on 27-Jun-2015
REPORT ON PROGRESS AND NEXT STEPS
2/14/2011
Where We’ve Been …
Setting the StageOwning Our Signature Experience
We know who we are … Our mission at Texas Wesleyan University is to develop students to their
full potential as individuals and as members of the world community.
We are committed to the principles that each student deserves personal attention
We seek and employ faculty and staff with commitment and dedication to
teaching, inspiring, and serving students. What we do more of than anyone else …” enable student
performance by eliminating barriers to performance”
We understand our target students (current and future)… We serve two distinct undergraduate populations ….those
that enter as freshman and those who enter as transfers…
We provide a personalized learning environment and unique services that helps
students who are challenged by life circumstances to graduate from college and to find success in a career or graduate school
Setting the Stage Owning Our Signature Experience
We want to communicate who we are vividly, with “stories” of actual practices or events – “signature experiences” … TXWES Signature Stories abound from students, faculty, parents
but …
Our challenge is to “unlock our secrets” and share them
We need to align all elements of the student experience … We have developed core signature processes around freshman … yet we have
opportunities to reinforce and deepen the experience
Our transfers need similar support structures but are currently
underserved
We need to embed everyone deeply into the fabric of execution We have not formalized and aligned the university
community around the student “signature experience” … members engage because they are personally committed
Where we are …About the initiative
Phase 1: Undergradu
ate
Phase 2: Employee
Phase 3: Graduate
Organizing to Move ForwardThe Leadership Team
Signature Experience
Leadership Team
Marie Boisvert
Joe Brown
Chuck Burton
Amy Collier
Stephanie Franks
Marcus Kerr
Holly R. Kiser
Stacia
Neeley
Cindy Potter
Kristi Taylor
Chris
Windsor
DeAwna
Wood
Executive
Sponsors
Pati Alexander
Bill Bleibdrey
Joan Canty
Allen
Henderson
Phase 1: UndergraduatesProgress to Date
Align the University Align “Signature Experiences” with Strategic Plan Communicate …communicate…communicate Recognize extraordinary commitment
Remove Barriers to Student Success Increase services for transfer Students Increase support for international students Increase support for Career Services
Make our Spaces Count Neutralize student “dissatisfiers” Enhance sense of community Plan for the future
Using student, faculty and staff feedback, the Executive Team and the SELT identified the our priorities for enhancing the undergraduate experience …
Align the UniversityOur areas of focus… Align to Strategy and Communicate
Align the UniversityOur areas of focus… Recognize Commitment
Lighthouse faculty and staff invited to join the SELT for identification of quick hit projects which could have a significant impact on the student signature experience …
• Address campus spirit with renewed efforts at homecoming
• Address visibility with “lighting up” the roofline of the library
• Address campus beautification with a dedicated campus event
• Address need for informal learning spaces across campus
• Increase communication about Signature Experience
Remove Barriers to SuccessOur areas of focus… Increase Support for International Students
Increased support for International Students, including:
• Added cooking facilities, enabling cuisine options
• Provided transportation off-campus during holidays
• Added staff to International Office
New WayfindersEnhanced SecurityImproved Lighting
Making our Spaces Countour areas of focus … Neutralize dissatisfiers
Making Our Spaces CountOur areas of focus … Neutralize dissatisfiers
• Campus-wide wireless networking
• Increased computing and printing capabilities
• Multimedia Center renovation & Experimental Media Labs
Making Our Spaces CountOur Areas of Focus … Increase sense of community
Increasing the number of attractive & meaningful community gathering spaces
Making Our Spaces CountOur Areas of Focus… Plan for the future
Developing a Facilities Master Plan
Where We Are Going …
Role of the Executive Team & SELTGoing forward… Near term, the Executive Sponsors will take an active role in
stewarding, with the help of volunteers, (4) chartered Signature Experience projects
The Signature Experience Leadership Team (SELT) is formally charged with: Helping to bring the initiative to life and institutionalizing
the approach Acting as ambassadors within their functional areas Acting as advocates by identifying actionable ways in
which we can improve the undergraduate student experience
Sponsoring the “quick hit” lighthouse projects
Understanding Our Streams of WorkOur Areas of Focus
Chartered Projects Lighthouse Projects
Sponsorship
Executive Team SELT
Participation
• Opportunity to engage limited number of campus community volunteers
• Requires a sustained commitment
• Opportunity to engage broad campus community in a volunteer activities
• Is a short term commitment
Focus
• Process based
• Aligned to “Signature Experience” priorities
• Selected based on design principles
• Activity based
• Aligned to “Signature Experience” priorities
• Selected based on design principles
Financial investment
• Budgeted investments • Time and materials
Timeline• Long term
• Refreshed upon completion of charter
• Quick hit
• Refreshed on a semester basis
Enhancing Transfer Student EngagementArea of Focus
ScopeDevelop an intentional community driven process by which transfer students become engaged and successful members of the Wesleyan community. This process begins at the students time of acceptance and continues through the time at which the student identifies sufficient campus resources and engenders a sense of shared belonging to the Wesleyan campus.
Deliverables Use existing student engagement related data, identify what attracts
and engages transfer students to the Wesleyan campus Understand the current process for engaging transfer students and
identify lessons learned from the current Freshman engagement process
Benchmark process from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of work
Recommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick hits” and long term needs for program or process developments
Integrate insights and recommendations with on-going work in the career services and facilities areas
Project Steward: Pati Alexander
Organizing to Deliver on the Career PromiseArea of Focus Scope
Develop an integrated approach to career preparation that includes academic programming, career counseling, with opportunities for meaningful career-related experiences and career placement services that support placement in a preferred profession.
DeliverablesShort Term Assess the value and recommend action on the Manpower, Inc.
opportunityLonger term Using 3-4 pathfinder undergraduate majors… understand the current
process for career preparation from point of admission to professional placement
Benchmark the process from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of work
Recommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick hits” and long term needs for program, process, and/or structure of services
Integrate insights and recommendations with on-going work on transfer student engagement and facilities areas
Project Stewards: Allen Henderson
Making Our Spaces CountArea of Focus
ScopeUsing student input, make our physical and virtual spaces positively contribute to the overall student experience. This would could include:
Examining the location, layout, and design of physical spaces;
Addressing/improving facilities maintenance, furnishing, fixtures, and displays
Development of virtual spaces
Deliverables Using survey and usage data, identify what elements attract and
engages students Benchmark from a select number of similarly positioned universities;
coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of work Recommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick
hits” and long term needs Integrate insights and recommendations with on-going work and
Master Plan
Project Steward: Bill Bleibdrey
Enhancing Campus CommunicationsArea of Focus
Scope Develop process that coordinates and facilitates the scheduling and
communication of “events based “ information to the campus community. Communicating about the “Signature Experience” to all constituencies
DeliverablesWith regard to events based communications: Using existing student and alumni data, identify what types of information
attracts and engages them along with their preferred methods of communication
Understand the current process for scheduling and communicating events based information
Benchmark process from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of work
Recommend opportunities for improvement.
With regard to Signature Experience communications: Develop communication strategy and tools that can be used with all
stakeholder groups (e.g., students, employees, alumni, board, community partners, and donors)
Make recommendations about content and context for messaging across multiple medium, including advertising, signage, promotions, collateral, and other structured communication
Develop a sustainable model for developing communication materials long term
Project Steward: Joan Canty
Lighthouse ProjectsSpring 2011 … Quick Hits to Enhance Student Experience
Upcoming projects include:
• Address visibility with “lighting up” the roofline of the library
• Address campus beautification with a dedicated campus event
• Address need for informal learning spaces across campus
• Increase communication about “Signature Experience”
Connecting Streams of WorkOur Areas of Focus
Chartered Projects(Longer Term)
Lighthouse Projects(Quick Hit)
Enhancing Transfer Student Engagement
• Address campus spirit with renewed effort at homecoming
Organizing to Deliver on the Career Promise
Making Our Spaces Count
• Address visibility with lighting up the roofline of the library
• Address campus beautification with dedicated campus event
• Address need for informal learning spaces across campus
Enhancing Campus Communications • Increase communication about signature experience
The Payoff …What we’re looking for in the end
Put Wesleyan at the top-of-mind for prospective students
Provide current students with a great college experience
Develop loyal alumni who support Wesleyan …for life
Having a well developed Signature Experience serves to….
Appendix
Phase 1: UndergraduatesProgress-to-Date Timeline
Oct-Dec 2009 I Jan-Mar 2010 I April –June 2010 I July- Sept 2010 I Oct –Dec 2010 I Jan- Mar 2011
T. Erickson presentation of “Next Generation Learners” on Campus
Moxie collects experience data from students and presents findings to Sr. Staff
SE initiative (phase 1) commissioned by Executive Team
Data collected from undergraduate students and key staff
Findings presented to Sr. Staff and key Faculty & Staff
SELT formed to establish grass roots ownership and act as advisory team for sponsors
Additional data on key themes collected from “touch point” employees
SELT and Sponsors identify key initiatives for next 12 months
Signature Experience introduced to University at all employee meeting
Signature Experience introduced to students at kick-off event
Lighthouse employees celebrated for their efforts and asked for their input on SE opportunities … identify opportunities for spring
Signature Experience introduced to President Slabach and commitment to SE confirmed in University event
Phase 1: UndergraduatesSpring ‘11 Timeline
Jan – Mar 2011 I April – May 2011 I
Staffing & Launch of Chartered Signature Experience Projects:• Enhancing Transfer Student Engagement
• Organizing to Deliver on the Career Promise
• Making Our Spaces Count
• Enhancing Campus Communication
SELT to continue working on it’s agenda.
• Continued ongoing campus wide communication on Signature Experience Phase 1 Activities
Spring Lighthouse Signature Projects:• Address campus spirit
• Address campus visibility
• Address campus beautification with dedicated campus event
• Address the new for informal learning spaces across campus