McNair: Becoming a more student-ready campus is a job for all faculty, staff

Becoming a more student-ready campus means having a better understanding of an institution's data and its students, and planning for this initiative must align with university strategic and enrollment goals.

That was the message from Tia Brown McNair, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Student Success at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, who opened the 28th annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning by leading participants through a blueprint to a more student-ready campus. She noted all faculty and staff can play a key role in this goal.

McNair spoke August 24 at the Eberhard Center at the conference sponsored by the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. Her remarks were inspired by her book, "Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success."

"Everyone on campus has the capability to be an effective educator," McNair said. "But does everyone have the opportunity and are they empowered to do this work?"

She listed general Grand Valley student learning outcomes, such as critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving, and noted how closely they are tied to skills employers desire in college graduates.

"But do your students know these learning outcomes?" McNair asked. "This is our jargon. Listing these only on your syllabus does not work." 

Throughout years of research on this subject, McNair said one factor to student success has remained consistent: caring educators. "Narratives shape student success. Being someone who cares about a student and takes time to listen to them is so important," she said.

President Philomena V. Mantella welcomed conference participants and noted the event was the kickoff to a yearlong series of events focused on student success. Mantella also noted the distinction between being a student-centered institution and one that is student empowered.

"Empowered is giving students the tools to be more confident throughout their journey. To be a student-empowered institution, we have to become more student ready," Mantella said.

Attending her first FTLC annual conference, Fatma Mili, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, applauded the work of the center, calling it integral to helping faculty members become "teacher scholars."

Christine Rener, director of the Pew FTLC and vice provost for Instructional Development and Innovation, said specific faculty-staff learning communities have been established to carry these conversations forward. Learn more about these opportunities and register online. 

McNair will return to campus September 14 to deliver her keynote address for anyone unable to attend the FTLC event. This event will be in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room, at 8:30 a.m. Later that day, McNair will join Mantella and Mili for a Fireside Chat focused on strategic leadership and steps to becoming a student-ready campus.