Spring 2011 Signature Experience Projects Kick-Off
- 2. Enhancing Transfer Student EngagementArea of FocusScope Develop an intentional community driven process by which transfer students become engaged and successful members of the Wesleyan community. This process begins at a student’s time of acceptance and continues through the time at which the student identifies sufficient campus resources and engenders a sense of shared belonging to the Wesleyan campus.DeliverablesUse existing student engagement related data, identify what attracts and engages transfer students to the Wesleyan campusUnderstand the current process for engaging transfer students and identify lessons learned from the current Freshman engagement process Benchmark process from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of workRecommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick hits” and long term needs for program or process developments Integrate insights and recommendations with on-going work in the career services and facilities areasProject Steward:Pati Alexander
- 3. Organizing to Deliver on the Career PromiseArea of FocusScopeDevelop an integrated approach to career preparation that includes academic programming, career counseling, with opportunities for meaningful career-related experiences and career placement services that support placement in a preferred profession. DeliverablesShort TermAssess the value and recommend action on the Manpower, Inc. opportunityLonger termUsing 3-4 pathfinder undergraduate majors… understand the current process for career preparation from point of admission to professional placement Benchmark the process from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of work Recommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick hits” and long term needs for program, process, and/or structure of servicesIntegrate insights and recommendations with on-going work on transfer student engagement and facilities areasProject Stewards: Allen Henderson
- 4. Making Our Spaces CountArea of FocusScope Using student input, make our physical and virtual spaces positively contribute to the overall student experience. This includes:Examining the location, layout, and design of physical spaces; Addressing/improving facilities maintenance, furnishing, fixtures, and displaysDevelopment of virtual spaces DeliverablesUsing survey and usage data, identify what elements attract and engage students Benchmark from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of workRecommend opportunities for improvement … identify both “quick hits” and long term needsIntegrate insights and recommendations with on-going work and Master Plan Project Steward: Bill Bleibdrey
- 5. Enhancing Campus CommunicationsArea of FocusScopeDevelop a process that coordinates and facilitates the scheduling and communication of “events based “ information to the campus community. Communicate about the “Signature Experience” to all constituenciesDeliverables With regard to events based communications:Use existing student and alumni data to identify what types of information attracts and engages them and what their preferred methods of communication areUnderstand the current process for scheduling and communicating events based information Benchmark processes from a select number of similarly positioned universities; coordinate potential targets and activities with other streams of workRecommend opportunities for improvement. With regard to Signature Experience communications:Develop communication strategy and tools that can be used with all stakeholder groups (e.g., students, employees, alumni, board, community partners, and donors)Make recommendations about content and context for messaging across multiple medium, including advertising, signage, promotions, collateral, and other structured communicationDevelop a sustainable model for developing communication materials long termProject Steward: Joan Canty
Editor's Notes
- #2: Texas Wesleyan University is the best kept secret in North America. Or at least, that’s what people who visit tell us.About 3 years ago, we were looking to outsource our Help desk and Network Services functions in IT. During the proposal and bidding process, companies brought people to our campus. Towards the end of the bidding process, one of the managers said, in parting, “this university is extraordinary. If only people knew what you have going on here, you would have to beat them back with a stick.” We knew he was being honest, since there was nothing to gain. He had just found out that his company had lost the bid. So we started to listen closely in informal settings to what our students, faculty, staff, alumni and those who visited were saying. Some themes began to emerge. Texas Wesleyan is extraordinary and the things that other institutions seem to struggle with, seem to come to us naturally.So we decided to trust but verify. What we would like to do is share our journey toward developing what is now called the “Wesleyan Signature Experience.”
- #3: Our first formally chartered project is “Enhancing Transfer Student Engagement.” (Read details)
- #4: The second project is “Organizing to deliver on the Career Promise.” (read detail)
- #5: The third chartered project is “Making Our Spaces Count.” (read detail)
- #6: The fourth chartered project is “Enhancing Campus Communications.” (Read detail)