Education Commons^™

Navigating An Accelerated Bachelor’S To Master’S Degree: A Mixed Methods Study Of Student Enrollment In Virginia Commonwealth University’S 4+1 Programs, Rucha Bond, Kevin Maureen Campbell, Kim Dupre, Bailey Mitchell, Hawley Smyth

Doctor of Education Capstones

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers diverse pathways for degree completion, including accelerated 4+1 programs, enabling students to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in five years. Despite program growth, enrollment challenges persist, prompting a study to identify barriers and enhance student experiences. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach investigates factors influencing enrollment in VCU's accelerated programs, drawing on Schlossberg's transition theory. Hurdles such as inconsistent data, limited awareness, and communication breakdowns across departments were identified through focus groups with advisors and administrators, as well as interviews and surveys with students. Findings inform six recommendations to improve program effectiveness, including creating dedicated support …

Vcu And The Virginia Course Materials Survey, Jessica Kirschner

Open and Affordable Course Content at VCU

In Fall 2021, VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium, distributed the Virginia Course Materials Survey to a selection of students at Virginia higher education institutions. The survey hoped to explore:

1. The relationship between educational equity and textbook costs, and

2. Which textbook features most benefited students’ learning experiences.

This report presents the results from this survey, focused on Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Included is an executive summary, full report, and data set for the VCU summary level data, available as percentages, and select student quotes from the free response.

Viewing Porn In Academic Libraries: Critiquing Arl Member Library Policies, M. Teresa Doherty, Jennifer Stout

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

We reviewed Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member library policies about viewing legal online pornography in their spaces. In our review of more than 100 policies, we discovered that they were more ambiguous than expected. We discuss how our research can help inform policy review for your library and support library staff.

Unveiling Undergraduate Research Opportunities For All, Justin Fedoryk, Laniece Jones, Timothy Luckritz, Tracy Mcmullin, Teresa Salgado, Meredith Sisson

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

VCU is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth in its research operations, having secured more than $460 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2023 and becoming one of the top 50 public universities in the country for sponsored research. Between FY18 and FY22, sponsored research funding at VCU increased by 49% (Crawford et al., 2022). Nonetheless, many faculty members are leaving a key resource untapped: VCU’s undergraduate students. According to Dr. Srirama Rao, Vice President of Research and Innovation, in a recent State of the Research address, only about 600 undergraduate students participate in sponsored research annually. Even faculty …

Vcu Job Shadowing, Austin Adam, Nora Bloch, Sue Kurgatt, Ezrah Medina, Erin Pacelli, Rebecca Segal, Stephanie Thulin

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Job shadowing is an initiative aimed at bolstering students' career preparedness through an immersive exploration of the multifaceted landscape of career opportunities within higher education. By facilitating these experiential learning opportunities, this program endeavors to achieve a twofold objective. Firstly, it seeks to enhance the student experience at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) by cultivating meaningful interactions between students and VCU's typically non-student-facing staff and faculty members. Secondly, by facilitating direct engagement with our students, it is our aspiration that every member of the VCU community, regardless of their traditional roles, will have the opportunity to support our students' personal and …

Vcu Day Of Service Toolkit (Vcu-Dst), Christie Atkins, Jeff D'Ambrosio, Ann Deppmann, Keith C. Ellis, Alex Fisher, Javeria Kazi, Emilie Raymond, Lachelle Waller

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

This team designed and developed a digital Day of Service Toolkit (VCU-DST) to help facilitate the planning and execution of community service projects by VCU students, faculty and staff. The VCU-DST includes guidance and relevant procedures for all the aspects of planning needed to execute both large-scale and small-scale projects, including resources for strategic partnerships, financial planning and event logistics and evaluation. The VCU-DST is designed to be utilized for day-of-service projects planned and initiated by VCU students, student leaders, and organizations at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). The VCU-DST is designed to be flexible and adaptable, assisting in …

Going The Extra Mile To Increase The Wilder School’S Student Enrollment, Xueming (Jimmy) Chen

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

To align with the themes and goals of VCU Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform, the Wilder School has prepared and will implement a schoolwide strategic plan to guide its development to 2028. In this strategic plan, one of the metrics of student success is student enrollment, which is of paramount importance.

After the background introduction, this report gives an overview of the student enrollment data of the five academic programs within the Wilder School during the past 5 years and takes a snapshot of the 2022 MURP student demographic data. Afterward, it briefly introduces the enrollment management strategies …

Review Of Policies Addressing The Viewing Of Legal Pornography In Arl Libraries, M. Teresa Doherty, Jennifer Stout

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This article uses document analysis to review the content of the policies available on the library websites of 119 academic member institutions of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) for policies that address viewing legal visual (video or images) pornography on computers within library spaces. The authors seek to answer the question: How do ARL member libraries address the viewing of legal online pornography by adults in their library spaces as noted in policies or guidelines on their website?

E Pluribus Unum: Increasing A Shared Understanding Of Mission At Marine Corps University, Edward Greiner, Kirstin Pantazis, Christopher Reid, Dominick White

Doctor of Education Capstones

E PLURIBUS UNUM: INCREASING A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF MISSION AT MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY

By Edward Greiner, Kirstin Pantazis, Christopher Reid, and Dominick White

A capstone project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023.

Capstone Chair: Beth E. Bukoski, Ph.D., Department of Educational Leadership

Mergers between higher education institutions present unique challenges to creating and maintaining a shared understanding of mission. Additionally, professional military education institutions with civilian faculty and staff must blend military and civilian cultures in the workplace. …

Moving From Craap To Act Up As A Source Evaluation Tool!, M. Teresa Doherty

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Tired of teaching CRAAP (currency / relevance / authority / accuracy / purpose) as a source evaluation method as part of your information literacy lesson plan? Consider transitioning to ACT UP instead! ACT UP (Author | Currency | Truth | Unbiased | Privilege) incorporates the concept of privilege in publishing into the conversation, and encourages students to discover and share the work of often overlooked researchers in their own work. Includes a variety of links to site where researchers who self-identify as women, Black/POC, or LBGTQ share their publications.

Understanding The Implications Of Work Based Learning For Students Pk-12 School Systems Institutions Of Higher Education And Hosting Organizations, David Naff, Amy Corning, Meleah Ellison, Albion Sumrell, Zehra Sahin Ilkorkor, Jennifer Murphy, Ciana Cross

MERC Publications

This literature review by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) and Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation (ICRE), in partnership with the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) explores work-based learning and its implications for PK-12 institutions, institutions of higher education, and hosting organizations (e.g. employers). The report also provides background information about the foundations of work-based learning and concludes with a series of recommendations for practice, policy, and future research related to work-based learning. There is also an accompanying podcast episode where report authors discuss the key takeaways with …

Assessing Graduate Student Needs And Structures Of Support At Virginia Commonwealth University, Trisha Saunders, Kiama Anthony Bishop, Herbert Hill Iii, Tameka Fitzgerald Burroughs

Doctor of Education Capstones

The purpose of this multi-case study was to explore how the institutional landscape is designed to support graduate student success at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a large, public, urban, R1 research university. The study included review of existing literature on the various factors that contribute to or limit graduate student success at institutions across the country. A major aim of this study was to collect qualitative data from participants with a key stake in this issue, including enrolled graduate students, and faculty/staff supporting graduate (master’s and doctoral) programs at VCU. Participants included 39 graduate students and 23 institutional stakeholders. All …

2021-22 Faculty Peer Mentoring Guide For Participants, Vcu Office Of The Provost

No abstract provided.

Finding Funding And Understanding Logistics For Community-Engaged Practice: Strategies For Overcoming Institutional Barriers, Jose G. Alcaine

Foundations of Education Publications

Institutional barriers can hinder the effective development of projects and practices that foster community partnerships and promote the co-development of impactful research and experiences. Barriers such as funding, institutional approvals, and community access to institutional resources, can derail the best of intentions and projects. This interactive session will provide attendees with strategies to deal with common barriers to effective practices and will provide tools for finding funding, resource development, and troubleshooting context specific problems.

2021-22 Faculty Peer Mentoring Guide For Participants, Vcu Office Of The Provost

Office of the Provost: Resources for faculty

No abstract provided.

From Common Cartridge To Canvas Commons - Integrating Library Instruction In Course Sites, Hope Y. Kelly Phd

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

The poster highlights unique file formats for sharing across learning management systems. A case is presented of an online module for an undergraduate research course that was first developed in 2019. Over the following two years, the module gained traction but required adjustments to be adopted more broadly. Barriers to adoption and mechanisms that have contributed to improved uptake are highlighted with an emphasis on flexibility for faculty in how they access the module and connect the instruction to their course outcomes.

Facilitating Equitable Access And Retention For Underrepresented Students At The University Of Mary Washington, Michael K. Abelson, Alvin R. Bryant, Marra Hvozdovic

Doctor of Education Capstones

Higher education institutions are facing increasing pressure to find new ways to attract, retain, and graduate the diverse populations of college students. As a result, colleges and universities need to adapt to the changing demographics of students who benefit from more sustained and engaged forms of support that are responsive to their specific social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. This sequential mixed methods study seeks to understand the ways in which the University of Mary Washington serves its underrepresented students in order to develop strategies to enhance the recruitment and retention of Black, Hispanic/Latinx, low-income, and first-generation college students. Building on …

Who Takes Dual Enrollment Classes? A Research Brief, David Naff

MERC Publications

This research brief from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores three questions: 1) What are Dual Enrollment classes? 2) Who takes Dual Enrollment classes? and 3) What strategies promote greater access to Dual Enrollment? An accompanying podcast episode is linked in the research brief.

Service Point Staff Become Content Creators: Now, That’S A Pivot!, M. Teresa Doherty

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

When the COVID pandemic closed our busy academic, front line service staff were challenged to find work to replace the in-person support and assistance that they provide onsite. How did we respond? In addition to expanding our chat service, we gathered "back burner" projects from across the libraries and supported staff to take on new opportunities, such as creating content for web projects, reviewing and editing close captions of oral histories and instructional tutorials, checking ejournal links, and more.

Vcu Service-Learning Impact Measure (Slim) Report, 2020-2021, Katie Elliott, Jackie Stephens

Division of Community Engagement Resources

The VCU Service-Learning Office distributes the Service-Learning Impact Measure (SLIM) at the end of every semester to evaluate the impact of service-learning classes on student learning. Results are used to guide program improvements that enhance the quality of service-learning courses and outcomes for students, faculty, and partners. This report covers the 2020-2021 academic years and highlights assessment focus areas including: career readiness, academic learning, civic learning identity development, diversity and inclusion, and the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Service-Learning Community Partner Impact Assessment Report, 2021, Rebecca Hoppe, Katie Elliott, Lynn E. Pelco

Division of Community Engagement Resources

In 2021, the Service-Learning Office at VCU conducted an assessment of the impact of service-learning on community partner organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment aimed to collect actionable feedback to inform and improve upon current service-learning course practices. Partners (N = 18) were prompted with questions to assess the following topics: operational capacity, economic functioning, social environment, and partnership quality, both prior to and in concurrent with the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative findings suggested an overall improvement in scores from the 2017 assessment. Qualitative findings indicated the importance of relationships, concluding that adaptation, communication, and involvement were key factors …

Vcu Service-Learning Impact Measure (Slim) Report, 2020-2021, Katie Elliott, Jackie Stephens

The VCU Service-Learning Office distributes the Service-Learning Impact Measure (SLIM) at the end of every semester to evaluate the impact of service-learning classes on student learning. Results are used to guide program improvements that enhance the quality of service-learning courses and outcomes for students, faculty, and partners.

Analyzing Advanced Placement (Ap): Making The Nation's Most Prominent College Preparatory Program More Equitable, David Naff, Mitchell Parry, Tomika Ferguson, Virginia Palencia, Jenna Lenhardt, Elisa Tedona, Antionette Stroter, Theodore Stripling, Zoey Lu, Elizabeth Baber

MERC Publications

This report from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores research related to Advanced Placement (AP) courses through an equity lens. It answers five questions: 1) What are AP classes? 2) Who enrolls and succeeds in AP classes? 3) Why do disparities in AP matter? 4) What factors contribute to disparities in AP participation and performance? 5) What policies and practices help to address disparities in AP access, enrollment, and performance? The report comes from the MERC Equitable Access and Support for Advanced Coursework study.

Revision: Creating A Roadmap To Institutional Improvements, Tina Carter, Cynthia Olvera

Division of Community Engagement Resources

The Policy’s responsible office is charged with evaluating the policy’s effectiveness at achieving desired results and necessity for changes on an ongoing basis. Have you been wanting to or been asked to make a change to your policy? Writing or updating university rules and policy can seem daunting for many of us. Two universities will share their review process and lessons learned, including how focusing on risk management driven policy helped garner buy in and how it strengthened both policy and Youth Programs Manual through key modifications.

Vcu Faculty Mentoring: Tips For A Successful Experience, Vcu Office Of The Provost, Maureen Moslow-Benway

Office of the Provost: Resources for faculty

No abstract provided.

2020 - 21 Vcu Faculty Handbook, Vcu Office Of The Provost

Office of the Provost: Resources for faculty

No abstract provided.

Debate For Civic Learning, S Bodnar-Deren, E Coston, D Mthethwa, L.E. Pelco, E Peron, M Pyles, T Swecker

Division of Community Engagement Resources

No abstract provided.

Vcu Service-Learning Impact Measure (Slim) Report, 2018-2019, Tamanna Sohal, Katie Elliott

Division of Community Engagement Resources

The VCU Service-Learning Office distributes the Service-Learning Impact Measure (SLIM) at the end of every semester to evaluate the impact of service-learning classes on student learning. Results are used to guide program improvements that enhance the quality of service-learning courses and outcomes for students, faculty, and partners.

Service-Learning Faculty Assessment: Report Of Results, 2018, Lynn E. Pelco, Katie Elliott, Katie Schifano

Division of Community Engagement Resources

In Spring 2018, the VCU Service-Learning Office sponsored an evaluation process that gathered feedback from faculty members who teach service-learning classes. The goal was to deepen understanding of the barriers faced by VCU’s service-learning faculty instructors and to solicit feedback about key strategies for overcoming these barriers. An independent research consultant conducted the evaluation in two phases: an online anonymous survey and a 30-minute phone interview. Eighty service-learning instructors completed the online survey, and a stratified sample of 18 instructors completed the telephone interviews. Findings indicated that both the online survey respondents and phone interview participants experienced similar supports and …

Faculty Peer Mentoring Guide For Participants, Vcu Office Of The Provost

No abstract provided.