Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards: A Texas Professor Focused on Artificial Intelligence, Health, and Education

Monday, February 25, 2019

Implementing Student Success Technology: A Presentation at the AASCU Summer Meeting 2018

In July 2018, I had a wonderful opportunity to present "Just Send a Text Message: Innovative Ways to Reach College Students Through Student Success Retention Technologies". This presentation focused on online student engagement and student retention. This presentation was facilitated at the American Association of Colleges and University's Summer Conference, "Public Universities in Challenging Times". This was an incredible opportunity, because it was the last AASCU conference that I would attend.

You ask why? Well, it was because I transitioned from an administrative role back to a faculty role after the death of my mother (but more on this later).

So, I traveled to San Antonio from the Fort Worth area with my prepared presentation in hand. It was an incredible conference and I learned so much! Also, I had a chance to network with my administrator colleagues. YES!

Shout out to all of my AASCU RFY colleagues!

During my time in administration, I had the pleasure to spearhead the American Association of State Colleges and Universities's National Reimagining the First-Year experience initiative. Forty-three additional institutions from states across the nation were included in this initiative and three of them are Texas institutions. I have had personal experience with three of the four institutions. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and Sam Houston State University and then I've been a faculty member at Tarleton State University for the past 11 years. So, this conference has special place in my higher education heart.

Here are some sample tweets from the conference:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley definitely had a presence at the conference!

UT RGV sends messages to students via the Student Success Collaborative at 11pm at night for campaigns. The Netflix Strategy! #highered #highereducation #retention #edu #stuaff #retention #StudentSuccessTech #college #AASCUAAM pic.twitter.com/aJeM7KnhL0
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, of course I had to contribute on Twitter! I wrote a tweet about my session.

The #AASCUAAM app description for my session is not correct. Here’s the correct one:#highered #HigherEducation #retention #edu #StudentSuccessTech pic.twitter.com/nycZKLL8iB
— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 9, 2018

Then, I always contribute additional information (and resources) for other attendees. Conferences are great opportunities to share resources and to network with others!

Providing Incentives for Academic Advisors During Key Advising Times https://t.co/mxxS63XGvf #AASCUAAM #AASCU #StudentSuccessTech #highered #acaadv #FYE18 pic.twitter.com/KkkmGXEoo0

— Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (Millennial Professor) (@drjtedwards) February 21, 2018

Here's some additional information about my session:

Just Send a Text Message: Innovative Ways to Reach College Students Through Student
Success Retention Technologies
San Juan A

Communication is a vital part of a college’s retention plan. Through this interactive session,
participants will discover best practices for higher education institutions who implement student
success retention technologies like the Education Advisory Board’s Student Success Collaborative
and Hobson’s Starfish Retention Solutions. Sample templates for emails and text messages,
campaign analytics, an annual academic nudging communication plan, and social media retention
resources will be shared. The Student Success Engineers program, a training program for
implementing retention software, will highlighted in this presentation. Academic nudging (email,
telephone calls, and texting) incorporates theories and processes from healthcare to motivate and
influence individuals to complete items quickly. Participants will leave with a list of action items
that administrators and faculty can easily incorporate in their on their campus.

Presenter(s): Jennifer Edwards, Tarleton State University

Here are a few slides from my presentation:

During the presentation, we had a lot of engagement and then attendees had a chance to ask questions. I enjoy presenting about student success and communication because I believe that both of these topics are very important for higher education.

Interested in a specific student success topic or do you need a speaker for an upcoming conference? Contact me via direct message on Twitter or join our Student Success Communication and Technology Institute on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Higher Education Speaker and Researcher

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
I Always Post Higher Education Videos on YouTube
Find Me on Instagram
Engage with Me on Facebook!
Watch My Videos on Twitter Live - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com
My Research Interests: Customer Service and Social Media, Higher Education Retention, and Millennials at Work

Monday, February 18, 2019

6 Ways for Higher Education Faculty and Staff to Handle Conflict in Their Department

I know that you get along with everyone right? Wrong! I will almost promise you that you will not get along with everyone all of the time. As a millennial, I am in a workplace (higher education) in which I do not have many peers. I am in my mid-30s and most of my peers are in their 50s and 60s. As a black professor, I do not see many people who look like me who do what I do on campus each day (teaching).

When differences are evident, this means that disagreements can happen. We have to be prepared for these disagreements ahead of time and to mentally be alert to HOW we are reacting to situations and people.

Recently, I read an article in Entrepreneur that can be applied to the higher education environment as well. "How to Handle Office Conflict" focused on six ways that employers can address office conflict amongst their employees. These strategies can also be applied to student affairs and the tenure track process.

1 - Confront It - Sometimes when we disagree with someone and we do not address the conflict when it arises, it can become worse. For instance, if you have to work on a group project with someone and you are taking more of the responsibility, this means that you need to address this responsibility inequity with your research or student affairs partner!

2 - Know When to Cut Ties - When you are working on a research project with someone and they do not hold up their end of the research bargain, you can cut your ties with your research partner. Sometimes, it is VERY difficult to do so, but in the long run it can save you months of anguish!

3 - Take It Outside - When you address the issue, you need to have in face-to-face and in an open, private place. This means, maybe a table on the patio of the building or perhaps in the library coffee shop, but address the conflict in neutral space.

4 - Embrace It - Know the the conflict exists, acknowledge it and converse about the conflict!

5 - Keep It Constructive - When you converse about the conflict, you need to stay focused on the topic at hand. Sometimes, when a conflict occurs it is easy to think about other items that are affected BY the conflict. AVOID this!

6 - Designate a Mediator - Think about involving someone who is not in your department and perhaps not in your academic college. Faculty conflict and conflict amongst student affairs professionals is very common, but address the conflict before it becomes a larger issue.

Okay guys, resolve the conflict and get stuff done!

Oh and by the way, here's another resource for you:

6 Strategies to Resolve Conflict at Work

6 Strategies to Defuse Office Conflicts Before They Get Out of Hand

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Monday, February 11, 2019

Teaching Computer-Mediated Communication Online - Course Navigation Video

This semester, I am teaching Computer-Mediated Communication (COMM 5312) for the Communication Studies department! I am VERY excited about teaching this course!

Here's the course description and learning outcomes:

Course Description: (3 Credits) - This graduate course provides a historical and futuristic perspective on the creation of the internet and computer-mediated communication. Students in the course will examine and critique scholarly research articles focused on a variety of computer-mediated communication contexts (i.e. - blogs, social networking websites, video chat, etc.)

Book 1 - Costa, E., Miller, D., Haynes, N., McDonald, T., Nicolescu, R., Sinanan, J., Spyer, J., Venkatraman, S., & Wang, X. (2016, February, 29). How The World Changed Social Media, London: UCL Press. (Free E-Book!!!!!)

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

A. Knowledge Outcomes

- describe the history of computer-mediated communication

- describe a social and technical understanding of computer-mediated communication and its social and technical effects in different contexts of use

skill in summarizing and synthesizing concepts from published scholarship

B. Skill Outcomes

- demonstrate familiarity with different modes of computer-mediated communication

- project the future and potential impacts of computer-mediated communication

- apply theories and concepts from the course to computer-mediated communication case studies and in informal consulting situations.

Each week has a different learning outcome and a different reading for the week (Open Education Resources and Library Article links of course!

Each semester, I also make a course navigation video. here it is!

Monday, February 4, 2019

Teaching Organizational Communication Online - Course Navigation Video

This semester, I am teaching Organizational Communication (COMM 4304) for the Communication Studies department! I am VERY excited about teaching this course!

Here's the course description and learning outcomes:

Course Description: (3 Credits) - Course Description: (3 Credits) - An advanced study of communication as it takes place in business and industrial settings. Special attention will be given to managerial communication, communicator style, channels and networks, and organizational communication consulting.

At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to...

A. Knowledge Outcomes

- understand the importance of networks with organizations. (Wk 11)

- understand how organizational culture is developed. (Wk 4)

- how small groups work within an organization. (Wk 12)

- understand how communication problems are diagnosed and solved within organizations. (Wk 10)

- know how communication styles impact organizational communication. (Wk 8)