Higher Education Commons^™

Working Definitions Council Of Deans, Timothy Berry, Henry Morris, Brian Martensen

All Resources

The underpinnings of what it means for higher education to support diversity, equity and inclusion is often problematized by different interpretations of key terms necessary to work systematically. Inspired by efforts in both the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Academic Affairs, we will use the following working definitions in its efforts to increase awareness, understanding and collective action as we work toward our vision and mission.

Engagement And Stem Degree Completion: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Time-To-Completion And Engagement And Pre-College Variables, Karina (Harstad) Clennon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This quantitative analysis explored measures influencing time to STEM-degree-completion in a correlational, non-experimental analysis of archival data (N = 745). FGCS represent a significant portion of individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the United States however, FGCS are less likely to persist to graduation as compared to their continuing-generation peers. FGCS are entering colleges and universities declaring STEM majors yet, are changing their major and or leaving college without a four-year degree (Chen, 2013). FGCS, who identify as female, face additional barriers, whether perceived or actual, in the pursuit of earning a STEM degree. FGCS choose to pursue STEM majors, …

The Confidence To Engage: Conflict Engagement Styles Of Academic And Student Affairs Deans In A Large, Midwestern State College And University System, Aaron Peterson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Conflict engagement is an integral part of higher education. Academic and student affairs deans are certainly no exception to this concept. This study examines reported conflict approaches of academic and student affairs deans in a large Midwestern state college and university system using the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II). There are four hypotheses of the study. The first was that academic and student affairs deans at four-year universities would report a compromising style. The second was that academic and student affairs deans at two-year community and technical colleges would report an integrating style. The third was that male deans would …

Leading Meaningful Change, Lynn D. Akey, Tina Dee, Robert Delprino, Nicholas R. Santilli

Academic Affairs Publications

While strategic planning is often approached from a theoretical perspective, it is in the implementation that the rubber hits the road. The importance of leadership in this shift from a theoretical plan to actual implementation cannot be underestimated. Change agents from a variety of institutional types—community college, public institution, and private institution—will discuss strategies used to inspire and guide others toward the achievement of shared objectives while managing institutional complexities. You will learn about issues leaders must successfully address to implement a meaningful strategic planning process.

A Strategic Priority Funding Process: Advancing Big Ideas, Lynn D. Akey, Pat Nelson

Academic Affairs Publications

This session will showcase a strategic priority funding process used to make organizational investments that advance big ideas, priorities and innovation. The speakers will share how the core components of the process were developed, implemented, and improved to increase results.

Leading A Campus Team To Navigate Through The Comprehensive Evaluation, Andrea L. Lassiter, Lynn D. Akey, Joan Roca

Academic Affairs Publications

What are some best practices to help your institution prepare for a comprehensive evaluation? This presentation will include discussion of how to gain broad campus community participation by assembling a team to help lead the process. Committee membership, information sharing, meeting topics and timelines will be shared.

Student Perceptions Of Academic Advising At Two-Year Colleges, Wayne T. Whitmore

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research project examined students’ perceptions of academic advising through an online survey method at select two-year colleges within the Minnesota State College and University System. The purpose of this research was to build upon scant existing research relating to student satisfaction with academic advising models utilized by individual colleges. The purpose was to also identify the academic advising model preferred by students. The sample for this research consisted of 177 students enrolled at two-year state community and technical colleges. Outcomes indicated a preference for the developmental model of academic advising. Outcomes also indicated that the developmental model of academic …

Integrated Academic Planning: Developing An Intentional Path Forward, Marilyn J. Wells, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

This presentation will focus on successful completion of Phases 1–3 of an integrated academic planning process, with engagement of 180+ degree programs and four extraordinary education task forces. Presenters will discuss successful and provocative elements, including consensus building, community involvement, data utilization, shared governance, and transparency.

Mavclass: Deep, Real-World Learning Analytics To Enhance Student Success, Jude Higdon, Jeffrey Myers Ford, Lynn D. Akey, Nathan Gustafson

Academic Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Academic Budget Prioritization In A Shared Governance University, Scott R. Olson, James A. (Jim) Grabowska, Rick Straka, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

Academic program review and budget prioritization in a shared governance environment with transparency and results was critical for Minnesota State University-Mankato, in preparation for forecasted budget reductions. Using an interactive format, this session will review the development of program evaluation metrics, highlight the process and timeline used, present key lessons learned, and provide attendees an opportunity to consider application on their home campus.

A Strategic Funding Process: Emphasizing Shared Governance And Transparency, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

The Purpose

Provide an opportunity and seed funding for innovative ideas to emerge from the campus community in support of the Institution’s strategic priorities.

The Process

The Strategic Priority Funding process that exists at Minnesota State University, Mankato today has roots extending back to pre-2004 as an innovation fund.

• Pre 2004 – An Innovation Fund
• 2004 – Strategic Priority Funding – Administrative
• 2006 – Strategic Priority Funding – Administrative/Planning Sub-Meet
• 2011 – Strategic Priority Funding – Joint Open Process

The process has primarily changed in ways that reflect greater shared governance, transparency, and assessment of results.

The Results

During the …

Organizational Culture As A Function Of Institutional Type In Higher Education, Jason Alexis Kaufman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether organizational culture varies as a function of institutional type in higher education, and to identify whether there exists congruence between organizational culture type and leader behavior. Utilizing the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) developed by Cameron and Quinn (2011), data were collected from a sample of academic deans (n = 84) representing the colleges and universities across five states of the Upper Midwest. The results indicated a general trend toward clan cultures and congruent leader behavior for all institutional types (i.e., associate's colleges, baccalaureate colleges, master's colleges and universities, and …

Factors Influencing The Institutionalization Of Diversity In Higher Education, Kelly S. Meier

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

To understand the impact of diversity in higher education, it is important to consider the critical role that diversity plays in the educational process. This requires a broader understanding of the influence diversity can have on the curricular, co-curricular, and interpersonal experience of a developing college student (Denson & Chang, 2009). Strategies for anchoring diversity as a core value or relating it to the inner workings of an institution are in demand (Chun & Evans, 2008). The purpose of this study was to identify highly actualized diversity initiatives and practices that can be replicated at other institutions meeting the sample …

Using Data To Evaluate Performance And Inform Decisions, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Minnesota Tuning Project: Biology And Graphic Design, Kristi L. Kremers, Krista M. Soria, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

Within the tuning methodology, a key step is the utilization of a consultative survey. The objectives established in the Bologna process for the tuning survey “include gleaning current perspectives on the diversity of practice and commonality of knowledge across borders and traditions, and seeking a simple and accessible language to create a scaffolding on which the various degrees can work in comfort and trust” (Adelman, 2009, p. 49). The Minnesota tuning surveys sought the consultation of previous graduates, current students, employers of graduates, and academic faculty for each of the disciplines involved in tuning.

The Learning Communities Program, Lynn D. Akey

Academic Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.