Showing posts sorted by relevance for query higher education. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query higher education. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Preparing Our Higher Education Institutions for the Future - 5 Recommendations


As we prepare for an upcoming year, I have to stop and think about the future of higher education. The pandemic changed our students, faculty, staff, and our campus as a whole. The Education Advisory Board (EAB) provides colleges and universities across the country with resources and ideas to help the students of the future.

I confess, I have been a complete fan of EAB and their resources for the past ten years. Their resources are at the forefront of higher education innovation.

One of their resources, "Campus 2030: Envisioning Tomorrow’s Multi-Modal Campus" projects the future of several services available at colleges and universities across the nation. These services include:

🏛 - Dining Halls and Food Spaces

🏛 - Modern Student Housing

🏛 - Hybrid and Flexible Office Spaces

🏛 - Tech-Enabled Classrooms

🏛 - Libraries and Learning Commons

🏛 - Interdisciplinary Research Facilities

Higher education institutions should also focus on the faculty and staff as well. When I ask most of my peers if they are comfortable with the numerous changes happening across their institution, most of them are uncomfortable. We need to prepare our teams for the future of higher education. 

Here's the Millennial Professor's Call the Action Statements for the Higher Education Industry

🌎 - Higher Education Conferences and Summits Need to Provide Trainings Focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Their Attendees

🌎 - Higher Education Institutions Need to Include Faculty and Staff as Part of Their Planning Process (an Important Part)

🌎 - Higher Education Institutions Provide Wellness and Holistic Support for Faculty and Staff Who are Having Problems With Change (You Need Us and We Need Help)

🌎 - Higher Education Institutions Need to Be Comfortable with Uncommon Spaces (Flexible Office Spaces)

🌎 - Faculty Need to Embrace Collaboration Opportunities with Faculty at Their Institutions and Other Institutions

Here are some additional articles about the future of higher education:




Higher education will continue to transition in an effort to meet the needs of our current and incoming students. 


For our particular university, we are striving to modify all of these items simultaneously. It is a challenge, but the changes are well worth the journey.

Here's the challenge for this post: "In your opinion, which one of the items on the list is MOST important for your institution?"

***. 

Check out my book - Retaining College Students Using Technology: A Guidebook for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Professionals.

Remember to order copies for your team as well!

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 and Retention Institute - Learning Community on Facebook!

Thanks for visiting! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Professor of Communication
Executive Director of the Texas Social Media Research Institute & Rural Communication Institute

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

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wandering Wednesdays - Top 50 Blogs By Education Professors

Readers,

Today's Wandering Wednesday post is focused on a website titled, Ph.D. in Education (http://www.phdineducation.org/). This website is dedicated to providing graduate students with the information and tools needed in order to purse their doctoral degree in Education.

Recently, this website posted an informative post on the Top 50 Blogs By Education Professors

This post features the following sections - General Education, Education Administration, Education Technology, Elementary/Secondary/Special Education, Higher Education/Adult Education, Educational Psychology and Counseling, and Library and Resource Management. Here is the link to the post -
http://www.phdineducation.org/top-50-blogs-by-education-professors.html

Under the Higher Education/Adult Education section, the following blogs were featured...

A Millennial Professor’s View of Higher Education: This professor focuses on communication technology in higher education.

Rick Osborn’s Continuing Education Blog: A look at higher education and adult education.

Higher Education, etc.: This blog is written by a doctoral student, who also teaches classes.

CEHD News: A blog from the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development. Interesting news and resources.

ProfHacker: Information from two professors on teaching in college.

One Ontario College Prof’s Blog: A look faculty relations.

Adventures in Canadian Post-Secondary Education: An interesting perspective from this education professor.

Adrian Barlow’s Blog: The Institute of Continuing Education at Cambridge has a blog devoted to education.

Continuing Education: This adjunct offers great insights.

Great list! Check out their website and blog!

Sincerely,

Here's the link to their lists and website links -
Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Vote for Our #SXSWEdu Session - Higher Education Hack Tech Tools for Completion - #55HigherEd


I am very excited to announce that we submitted a proposal to SXSWEdu for a third year! You can vote for our session here! and I am looking forward to (possibly) presenting at the South By Southwest Edu conference in Austin, TX! Here's are several tweets and audience member notes from last year's session:







This was an incredible experience last year and I connected with amazing people from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and also individuals from various educational organizations in Texas as beyond! I left the conference with a wealth of ideas for implementing best practices at our institution of higher education AND also neat research (and social media engagement ideas).




I am especially passionate about this year's #SXSWEdu proposal because it connects several of my professional interests in one proposal: technology, retention ideas, scalable solutions for higher education, and social media. Also, I like the continue the conversation after the conference and this year will definitely enable us to continue the conversation.


Here's our proposal video:





Here are the Learning Objectives for the session!
1 - To identify the MOST COMMON problems encountered by higher education administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
2 - To explore low-cost and higher-cost technological, programmatic, and service-based solutions for addressing the MOST common higher education problems.
3 - To connect with other participants to form two higher education learning communities: 1) teaching and learning and 2) higher education solutions.


Dr. Jennifer Edwards - Taking a selfie in the green room before the #55HigherEd Session
Description:
Higher education administrators, faculty, and staff encounter common problems that negatively impact student success at their early college high school, community college, or university. These common problems usually include: recruitment, developmental education, retention, on-time graduation rates (completion), increasing costs, changing demographics, workplace readiness (marketable skills), and budget constraints.


A picture of our name placards!
Through this session, participants will identify higher education problems, explore low-cost and higher-cost solutions, and connect with others through social media-based, higher education learning communities (on Facebook and Twitter). - 

When you have a chance, vote for our session on #SXSWEdu's panel picker. If you attended last year's conference, you know that we have a great time presenting and we LOVE engaging with our audience! :)

Thank you!

- Dr. Jennifer Edwards
@drjtedwards

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education (Post 2/31) - Adobe Education Exchange - 2011 Educators' Choice Awards Competition


Readers,



To begin the "31 Spooky Ways to Integrate Adobe Software in Higher Education" series with a SCARY OPPORTUNITY, I would like to introduce all of you to the 2011 Educator's Choice Awards competition!



The 2011 Educators’ Choice Awards



This competition is sponsored by the Adobe Education Exchange. According to the website:

The 2011 Educators' Choice Awards will recognize and reward Adobe Education Exchange members who submit the most innovative teaching and learning materials. Your fellow members will choose the winners of the Awards by rating one another's work, so impress your colleagues and compete for valuable prizes by submitting your best projects, lesson plans, curricula, and tutorials. For inspiration and examples, join or sign in to browse the resources on the Adobe Education Exchange.

This competition has a WEALTH of prizes! The higher education prizes are listed below:

Higher Education Digital Arts and Media
Grand Prize - Apple MacBook Pro 15” 2.0 GHz or Dell XPS 15 Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.0 GHz and Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection (ARV: US$4,398)

Runners-up (2) - Tablet computer (BlackBerry PlayBook 32 GB or Motorola Xoom 32 GB WiFi) and Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design, Web, or Production Premium (ARV: US$2,498/prize)

Higher Education Cross-Curricular
Grand Prize - Apple MacBook Pro 15” 2.0 GHz or Dell XPS 15 Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.0 GHz and Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection (ARV: US$4,398)

Runners-up (2) - Canon EOS Rebel T1i EF-S and Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Design, Web, or Production Premium (ARV: US$2,648.99/prize)

Contest Timeline and Instructions

Adobe Education Exchange - THANK YOU for offering this GREAT competition! I think the higher education community will benefit from the competition and the GREAT ideas that emerge from this competition!


Register for this great opportunity TODAY! All entries are due by October 14, 2011 and voting ends October 28, 2011. Find out more information here - LINK

Sincerely,

J. Edwards
Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Monday, October 29, 2018

Enhanced Faculty Features on the EAB Navigate System


This is a quick and simple way to schedule an advising appointment with academic advisors at some higher education institutions. Now, it is EASY to discover when your advisor is available and when you are available (i.e. - now in class).

We had several sessions that focused on the features of the Navigate platform. Yes, I know that the Education Advisory Board company will continue to update the platform, but the basic components of the platform will remain the same (I hope). The components are easy for the faculty, staff, and students to navigate, but these important individuals at the university also need special reminders about the key clicks they need to make to "make things happen" on the platform.


The Student Success Collaborative (Navigate) is an innovative student success technology platform that can enable campuses to provide outreach to students and faculty, measure this outreach, and to make evidence-based decisions about the emerging data. For campuses who want to connect with their students and benchmark the results, the Education Advisory Board's Navigate platform is one of the best technologies for your campus.

If your campus is considering how they can integrate a new student success technology for their students, faculty, and staff, please contact me and I will be happy to help. Student success has been why research field for the past 15 years and I am excited about the new technology innovations that are occurring in the higher education field.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Higher Education Speaker and Researcher

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
Remember to Subscribe to Me on YOUTUBE
My Research Interests: Customer Service and Social Media, Higher Education Retention, and Millennials at Work
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Facebook - Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

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, August 1, 2016

30 Ways to Incorporate Teamwork in Higher Education Classrooms - A LEAP Texas Initiative


For the past four years, I've had a great time learning about higher education administration. It has been an incredible experience incorporating the key concepts and theories that I learned in graduate school everyday! From crisis communication to public relations, this has been daily learning experience!

One item that I really appreciate is the ability to teach while serving in higher education administration. I adore teaching undergraduate students and I love teaching graduate students as well. The social media teaching field requires me to teach and learn everyday! 


Last summer, I applied and I was selected as a Faculty Fellow for Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP Texas). Through this experience, I've been able to connect with other faculty fellows from across the state while learning additional concepts about teaching in higher education. I've learned about the core curriculum from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the core, one of the most life changing items that I've learned includes key concepts about assessment and the LEAP Value Rubrics.

During my time as a fellow, it has been amazing to merge two of my higher education loves (teaching and social media). In the spring semester, I was very fortunate to present a Periscope (one of my favorite technologies) focused on "30 Ways to Incorporate Teamwork in Higher Education Classrooms". 



I enjoyed presenting this Periscope to the attendees and this scope is archived on the Leap Texas YouTube Account. Enjoy!
Please feel free to ask any questions about the LEAP Texas experience! In fact, applications are available as well! Here's the link! - 

Have a great week! Thanks for visiting the Millennial Professor Blog!

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Follow Me on Twitter/Instagram - @drjtedwards
Subscribe to Millennial Professor on YOUTUBE
Subscribe to Blog Updates on Facebook
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wandering Wednesdays - Communication in Higher Education Blog

Readers,


This week (Independence Week), I am PROUD to feature the Communication in Higher Education Blog for Wandering Wednesday! This blog's author, Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason, is one of my best friends and research partners in higher education. 




Although our journeys are very different (she is white and she works at an HBCU and I am black and I work a predominately white institution), we have a wealth of similarities! Last March, she spent quality time with my students and I at the Southern States Communication Association Conference and we had a great time riding the Little Rock Street Car and dining at one of the local eateries. This summer, she invited me to meet her students during one of their monthly "Pass It On" poetry slam events at the George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art. Her students' poetry was simply amazing! Here's a sample:


Throughout the past few years, we compared and contrasted our tenure track journey, which may be coming to an end very soon! I have enjoyed sharing my higher education experience with such a wonderful woman! Okay, now to her blog, Communication & Higher Education: Life on the Tenure Track at a Teaching Institution.


Through her blog, she explores life on the tenure-track at a teaching institution through the following lens: faculty life, socialization, issues faced by faculty, teaching and pedagogy, and technology in higher education. Her blog candidly explores trends in higher education culture, access, information flow, and faculty life.


Enjoy!


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41

Monday, October 22, 2018

Enhanced Faculty Features on the EAB Navigate System


If your campus utilizes the Education Advisory Board's Navigate platform (formerly the Student Success Collaborative), you are extremely lucky. This platform enables faculty, staff, and students to engage electronically with one another. From a Communication Professor's perspective, it is important for me to emphasize that the Student Success Collaborative (Navigate) is one of the most easy student success technology platforms to navigate (no pun intended) for faculty and staff. 

The Student Success Collaborative (Navigate) is an innovative student success technology platform that can enable campuses to provide outreach to students and faculty, measure this outreach, and to make evidence-based decisions about the emerging data. For campuses who want to connect with their students and benchmark the results, the Education Advisory Board's Navigate platform is one of the best technologies for your campus.


I am eager to discover the newly updated features of the Starfish platform again and I welcome the opportunity to discover this with another campus who wants to invite me as a student success technology consultant.

If your campus is considering how they can integrate a new student success technology for their students, faculty, and staff, please contact me and I will be happy to help. Student success has been why research field for the past 15 years and I am excited about the new technology innovations that are occurring in the higher education field.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Higher Education Speaker and Researcher

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
Remember to Subscribe to Me on YOUTUBE
My Research Interests: Customer Service and Social Media, Higher Education Retention, and Millennials at Work
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Facebook - Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com

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 21, 2011

82(R) HB 750 - Introduced version - Bill Text

Readers,

Here is the introduced version of the senate bill focused on higher education institutions in Texas and handguns.

82(R) HB 750 - Introduced version - Bill Text


Author: Driver

Caption: Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.


Excerpt: CARRYING OF HANDGUNS BY CERTAIN LICENSE HOLDERS ON CAMPUSES. (a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (c) In this section: (1) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success


This is part two! In July 2018, I had a wonderful opportunity to present the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success. This session focused on student engagement strategies, answers "What is Student Engagement?", and ultimately increasing student engagement in academic and student affairs. This session was presented 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!

I was very fortunate to present on this topic because it is definitely a passion of mine. I've served in student affairs and academic affairs for almost 20 years. Sometimes, it is difficult to realize how long I've served in higher education, but believe me - every year has been worth it. I've learned a lot through this process and I've had the pleasure of meeting outstanding faculty, staff, and students through the process.


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!

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

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

Here's some additional information about my session:

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs - Innovative Ways to Work Together to Embrace Student Success
Evergreen C
Student Affairs and Academic Affairs can work together to positively affect the success of first-year students at institutions of higher education. However, the continued disconnection between academic affairs and student affairs may negatively affect first-year students. This session provides participants with "25 Ways to Connect Academic Affairs and Student Affairs", research-based strategies to promote student success for first-year students, and participants will have an opportunity to share strategies from their respective campuses. Presenter: Jennifer Edwards, Associate Professor of Communication, Assistant Vice-President for Student Success and Multicultural Initiatives, Tarleton State University

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 academic affairs and student affairs 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

Thursday, December 22, 2011

EDUCAUSE 2011 Annual Conference - Streamed Sessions (Another Professional Development Opportunity)



Readers,

Here is ANOTHER great resource from the EDUCAUSE website. I hope that I am able to attend next year. Our financial resources for travel are very small, but I hope that I am able to gain a sponsorship to attend the conference next year. :) Any takers?

Each of the following links include archived tweets from the session, a video of the session, a podcast of the session, 

Here are several of the FEATURED sections of the conference:












Enjoy!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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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!

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

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

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

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Does GENDER Make a Difference in the Preparation and Promotion Higher Education Administrators?

In the article entitled, “Gender Differences in the Preparation and Promotion of Community College Administrators”, Kim E. VanDerLinden exposes many of the differences between males and females in executive positions that exist in higher education. The main point that the article highlighted was career advancement among males and females at community colleges. Some of the secondary points that were highlighted under career advancement were the relationships between gender, human capital, and promotion. The findings of the article indicated that there was not a difference between women and men in terms of career advancement at a community college.

Women are given more educational and employment opportunities at community colleges. This number is significantly higher than four-year colleges and universities (AACC, 2000; Townsend, 1995). As a result of this growing number, the women are not being trained properly in terms of career advancement, career patterns, and professional development. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, “In the next few years, almost 45% of community colleges will have openings in their presidential positions”. The key question behind this matter is, “Where is the new leadership going to come from?” In general, women and men that are currently employed by community colleges are not being prepared for such leadership positions.


The evidence that the author uses to make her main points are from such sources as the National Profile of Community Colleges, the New Directions for Community Colleges Journal, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. These are very credible sources, because they are all research intensive documents. The statistics that is gathered from these sources are astounding, because community colleges are in an inherent crisis. These colleges need leaders to help guide their institutions on the right path and to accomplish their particular mission statement.


It is interesting, because I completely agree with every contention that the author makes. 
These contentions are stated after the study is conducted and the results are analyzed. Some of the contentions that were stated are: (1) women who aspire to advance into leadership positions should actively plan and develop multidimensional goal-oriented career paths, (2) women who are currently in upper-level administration have the opportunity to shape the organizational culture, and (3) the current leadership crisis may provide opportunities for women to advance.


This article significantly contributed to my understanding of leadership, because I am able to see a qualitative and quantitative study about women in administrative positions at a community college. In the past, I have always read documents about women in leadership positions at institutions of higher education and the problems that they may encounter. 


This article put everything into perspective, because there are inherent differences and likenesses between in genders in regard to higher education. The common belief is that women are not participating in as many professional development opportunities and do not have as much campus involvement that men do. The actual statistics show that women have much more involvement than men do and that they participate in professional development opportunities more readily than men do.


In conclusion, community colleges are not that different from universities, but it will be interesting to see what types of professionals are going to take these leadership positions in the next few years.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Free Report - Institutions' Use of Data and Analytics for Student Success


If you love higher education technology and data analytics as much as I do, you will love this report from NASPA (The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators), Educause, and the Association for Institutional Research. This report was written by Amelia Parnell, Darlena Jones, Alexis Wesaw, and D. Christopher Brooks.

The report contains the following:

Executive Summary

Discussion of Findings

Part I: Types of Student Success Data Projects

Part II: Structures in Place

Part III: Level of Coordination

Part IV: Programs, Interventions, and Outcomes

Implications and Recommendations

References

The report also includes a methodology, additional resources, and acknowledgements.

Here are the recommendations from the study:

Recommendation 1: Identify and expand institutionally appropriate roles for IR, IT, and student affairs.

Recommendation 2: Transcend or remove certain organizational silos to improve communication across all position levels.

Recommendation 3: Prioritize measuring student outcomes.

Recommendation 4: Increase the use of qualitative data, especially from students.

My reflection: This report was great and included many institutions. However, as a higher education researcher and former higher education administrator, I think the report would benefit greatly from numerous reflections from higher education adminstrators.

For example, the first recommendation highlights the expansion of institutionally appropriate roles, but most institutions have very limited budgets that cannot accommodate the expansion of positions or add additional responsibilities to roles.

Also, I recommend that institutions provide a set of guidelines for effective communication with students (for student retention efforts), but I am not a proponent of large communication committees or councils. The formation of these groups can slow down progress for retention. Sometimes these councils that usually consist of individuals from institutional research, institutional technology, student affairs, enrollment management, and academic affairs and exist to control the distribution of messages to students.

Also, I wanted to share this infographic that I created about Student Success Technology.


Read the report, view the infographic and digest the information. Feel free to write about the report during the comment box! I would love to read it!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards
Higher Education Speaker and Researcher

My Social Media Channels!
Remember to Follow Me on Twitter! @drjtedwards
Remember to Subscribe to Me on YOUTUBE
My Research Interests: Customer Service and Social Media, Higher Education Retention, and Millennials at Work
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/drjtedwards/
Facebook - Facebook!
If You Love Periscope as Much as I Do...Follow Me There! - http://www.periscope.com/drjtedwards/
Email Me! I am PR Friendly! - jennifertedwards@gmail.com