[UCM-Student-Success] Beyond the Hype - Sustaining our Student Success Efforts

[Alisha Kimble]

Colleagues,

Happy Fall semester start! Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to read a brief report put out by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Beyond the Hype: An Inside Look at Student Success (see attached). Though intended to be a 'teaser' for a larger (not free) Chronicle report, the content struck me - especially as we begin a new academic year.  The Chronicle articles highlights the reality of our student success work: "The student success movement is at a turning point between rhetoric and reality. The problem is vast and complex, the work consuming and slow....Many students have a lot to overcome. Colleges are trying to piece together scaffolding to support them, or at least not stand in their way".

The report's conclusions aren't unexpected - that sustained attention to student success is good for our students, our institutions and the public good - but the recommendation resonated with me: "Rather than fixate on particular programs or tools, campus leaders should take a step back and tackle broader issues...an institution truly grappling with student success will discover that it needs to change the way it's always done things".

Chancellor Brostrom has identified "student success" as one of his priorities for the academic year, meaning our work continues to be supported at the highest levels. However, as UC Merced approaches 2020, I think we have the opportunity to grow our strategic partnerships and cross-unit, cross-division collaborations, with a goal of developing a strong (dare I say efficient!) scaffolding of support for our students.

I hope this year proves to be a productive one - for you, your units and our campus - as we think about our individual and collective roles in promoting student success.

Wishing you a restful, long weekend!

P.S. We invite you to contribute to our shared learning by forwarding articles, resources and other information relevant to undergraduate student success to the listserv membership (email: ucm-student-success at lists.ucmerced.edu).  If you have new staff, please encourage them to join the listerv! General information about the mailing list, including options to unsubscribe, can be found here:  http://lists.ucmerced.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucm-student-success.

[https://emailsignature.ucmerced.edu.672elmp01.blackmesh.com/ucm_seal.png]
Alisha Kimble

Assistant Dean
Division of Undergraduate Education

5200 Lake Road | Merced, California 95343
ue.ucmerced.edu | 209.228.4604
BUILDING THE FUTURE IN THE HEART OF CALIFORNIA


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