Though we could not host our annual Student Success Summit in person this year, we enjoyed the virtual conference for the valuable opportunities it provided to engage in conversations about student success with our colleagues across the state. Resources from the sessions can be found below. In addition to great dialogue through video conferencing, we also enjoyed vibrant digital discussion with colleagues near and far on Twitter using the conference hashtag #MCSSsummit20 (click the hashtag to see the thread from the conference on Twitter, or review a transcription of the Twitter discussion to see what was discussed). Follow us @MCCACSS to see future #mistudentsuccess Twitter activity.
LIVING OUR VALUES: VIEWPOINTS FROM THE MICHIGAN CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | 3:00 PM
The MCSS staff (Erica Orians, Jenny Schanker, Katie Giardello, and Precious Miller kicked-off the first-ever virtual Michigan Student Success Summit with an overview of the Summit, a review of the refreshed MCSS vision, and the perennially popular update on the status of statewide projects and initiatives. Access the slides from this session or review the recording.
THE PRIVILEGED POOR IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE: REMOVING HIDDEN OBSTACLES TO HELP STUDENTS THRIVE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 | 3:00 PM
This session focused on removing obstacles that prevent poor students and students of color from being successful in a community college setting. Keynote presenter Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack provided brief remarks in a moderated Q & A. Afterward, a panel of leaders from Michigan community colleges who are doing “MI-BEST” remove obstacles to student success shared what they are learning. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Priya Chaplot (Vice President of Strategy, National Center for Inquiry and Improvement). The themes from Dr. Jack's presention were threaded into the conversation with panelists Sue Boyd (Dean of Student Success, Macomb Community College), Louis Thomas ( Director of KVAAP, Kalamazoo Valley Community College) and Nathan Venske (Associate Dean of Student Services, Jackson College). Review the recording of this session.
REAL VALUES IN A VIRTUAL WORLD
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 | 3:00 PM
This session explored how higher education leaders are living their values in a virtual world, more important than ever due to social distancing amid the global pandemic. The session featured leaders innovatively engaging in various multi-media platforms (podcasts, video features, and social media), particularly showcasing the #EndCCStigma campaign championed by Dr. Steve Robinson (President, Lansing Community College), as well as creative strategies from Dr. Mordecai Brownlee (Vice President, St. Philip's College; Columnist, EdSurge), Dr. Patrick Valdez (Chancellor, The University of New Mexico-Taos), and Dr. Karen Stout (President & CEO, Achieving the Dream). The session closed with an interactive happy hour discussion on Twitter (and Zoom) geared toward supporting #mistudentsuccess Tweeters with a variety of comfort levels using the Twitter platform. MCSS Mentors Dr. Sheila Jones (Dean of Instructional Support, Grand Rapids Community College), Sean Newmiller (English Department Chair and Faculty, Lake Michigan College), Lisa Nienkark (Integrated English, Lansing Community College), and Lindsey Dickinson (Director, Academic and Career Advising Center, Northwestern Michigan College) co-moderated. Access the slides from this session or to review the recording.
POSTSECONDARY POLICY PERSPECTIVES: A DIALOGUE OF FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY ISSUES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | 3:00 PM
This interactive discussion session focused on federal and state policy issues that impact community colleges and higher education in Michigan and across the country, the 2020 federal and state elections, and policy concerns that impact faculty, staff, and administrators. Presenters included Dr. Bill Pink, President of Grand Rapids Community College, Jee Hang Lee from the Association of Community College Trustees, Erin Schor from the Michigan Community College Association and moderated by Mike Hansen from the MCCA. In addition to hearing from panelists, attendees were invited to ask questions. Access the slides from this session or review the recording.
WHY MOBILITY MATTERS NOW: THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY AND STUDENT TRANSITIONS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 | 3:00 PM
A significant amount of research has focused on the impact of student transitions from high school to college, transfer to a university, transition to the workforce… and not necessarily in that order. This session focused on the intersection of student mobility and equity. What do we know about student mobility and how does this impact historically marginalized students in higher education? Dr. Kimberly Hurns (Vice President of Instruction, Washtenaw Community College) moderated a discussion on this critical topic with Dr. Julie Ajinkya (Vice President of Applied Research, Institute for Higher Education Policy), John Fink (Senior Research Associate, Community College Research Center), Dr. Lia Wetzstein (Acting Director, Community College Research Initiatives), and Dr. Eboni Zamani-Gallaher (Professor, Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership, University of Illinois; Director, Office for Community College Leadership and Research; Executive Director, Council for the Study on Community Colleges). Access the slides from this session or to review the recording.
PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE: SIX YEARS OF PATHWAYS INNOVATION IN MICHIGAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 3:00 PM
MCSS is building on six years of innovation focused on pathways to lay a strong foundation for the future of our students and the state. Our Guided Pathways Evaluator Dawn Coleman, moderator Dr. Paige Eagan and a panel of college practitioners including Chris Engle (Dean of Enrollment Management, Retention, Registrar, Mott Community College), Barbie Hoag (Mathematics Professor, Oakland Community College) and Ashley VanHeest (Director of Transfer and Scheduling) discussed how Michigan’s efforts to build guided, math and transfer pathways are helping more students cross the finish line to certificates, degrees and careers. Access the slides from the session or review the recording.