Faculty as ‘First Responders’: Support Resources for Student Retention and Success

2020 Out of the Box events

Faculty have a vested interest in students’ success but may be unaware of effective support services on GVSU’s campus. In 2020, Out of the Box presented two panels that will address student retention and success. The program included information about the Student Success Network, academic coaching, adult learners, food insecurity on campus, encouraging students to seek proactive support, faculty advising strategies, and first-generation students.

 

Presentations can be accessed by faculty on this OOTB Outcomes webpage.

Out of the Box

2020 sessions

Tuesday, March 10, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

2204 Kirkhof Center

 

 

Hi. My name is Pam.

Kate VanderKolk and Melissa Peraino, Center for Adult and Continuing Studies

Kate VanderKolk ( she/her/hers) focuses on Adult Student Services for the Center for Adult and Continuing Studies. She is responsible for recruiting, advising, serving, and advocating for adult learners. In her more than ten-year tenure at Grand Valley, she has helped students from nearly all undergraduate majors navigate their journey.

Melissa Peraino (she/her/hers), develops non-credit professional development programs that link the needs of lifelong learners with the resources of the University. She has held a variety of roles in the department, and one theme throughout her more than 20 years at GVSU has been the need to build alliances and partnerships that further the mission of the University. 

 

Encouraging students to seek proactive support through CARE reports

Emily First, Student Support Manager, Division of Student Affairs

Emily (she/her/hers) leads proactive outreach to students who experience concerns related to academic, financial, basic needs, physical and mental health, campus climate, and off-campus housing. Some of her responsibilities include providing outreach to students who are referred through the online CARE system, leading administrative professionals in developing strategic and innovative ways to support students and providing education for faculty and staff on working with distressed or disruptive students. Emily is from West Michigan. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Taylor University and a Master’s in Education Psychology from Baylor University.

 

GVSU Student Success Network

Brian Hatzel (he/him/his), Director, Faculty Initiatives for Student Success

The Student Success Network (SSN) was created to connect first-year students with faculty partners who are informed about the university and can provide guidance to students as they transition to GVSU. Faculty partners play an integral mentoring role in educating first-year students about university culture, various support services on campus and otherwise providing guidance and support in intentional and meaningful ways through the first year. 

 

Food insecurity on campus

Sharalle Arnold, Associate Director, Center for Women and Gender Equity

Sharalle Arnold (she/her/hers) holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and an M.Ed. from Washington State University. At Grand Valley State University, she oversees the total operation for Replenish, acts as the on-campus student parent advocate and co-advocate (supporting victim survivors), and is co-facilitator of NIARA.

 

 

 

Wednesday, March 11, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

2270 Kirkhof

 

GVSU Student Success Network

Brian Hatzel (he/him/his), Director, Faculty Initiatives for Student Success

The Student Success Network (SSN) was created to connect first-year students with faculty partners who are informed about the university and can provide guidance to students as they transition to GVSU. Faculty partners play an integral mentoring role in educating first-year students about university culture, various support services on campus and otherwise providing guidance and support in intentional and meaningful ways through the first year. 

 

Making students feel welcome through appreciative advising

Julie Amon-Mattox, Assistant Director, CLAS Advising Center

Julie Amon-Mattox (she/her/hers) grew up in the Grand Rapids area and attended Grand Valley for both her undergraduate and graduate studies (#LakerforaLifetime!). She has a B.S. in Psychology, minor in Criminal Justice, and a M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education/College Student Affairs Leadership. 

 

Supporting first generation students

William Washington, Director, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

Dr. William Washington, born and raised in Flint, is a Laker for a Lifetime. Dr. Washington studied at Grand Valley State University for both his undergraduate and graduate degree then went on to Eastern Michigan University for his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Dr. Washington is currently the Director of the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and previously worked in student recreation and housing for twelve years.

 

Academic coaching at Grand Valley

Liz Chase, Student Retention and Special Projects Coordinator, Dean of Students Office

Gabe Pena, Student Academic Success Center

Liz Chase (she/her/hers) is the Student Retention & Special Projects Coordinator for the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Office of the Provost. Her work focuses on student success, student experience, and student outreach. Liz provides academic coaching through the Student Academic Success Center and is also an adjunct faculty in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. 

 

Gabe Peña (he/him/his) has been a student success coach at GVSU for the last 1.5 years. While at GVSU, Gabe has worked in multiple roles centered around student success including working as an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Academic Advising Center, as a program advisor with the Oliver Wilson Scholars program, and also as adjunct faculty in the College of Education and Brooks College of Interdisciplinary studies.

 

 

Out of the Box attendees are asked to please consider bringing a food or personal care item to put IN THE BOX for Replenish, the University’s on campus resource for students.


2018 Collaborative Teaching--Building an Effective Collaboration

Session One: Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Session Two: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 

Collaborative teaching benefits both students and faculty when disciplinary problems and perspectives are effectively integrated. While co-teaching is the most recognizable form of collaborative teaching, there are numerous other models that entail varying levels of collaborative practices. But it is often difficult to know where to start…

At this year’s Out of the Box workshop, the Faculty Council and FTLC will help interested faculty navigate the challenges involved in building an effective collaboration that successfully integrates different disciplinary and pedagogical approaches.

  Collaborative Teaching    

   Models Include:

  • Co-teaching—sharing instructor duties in the same class
  • Co-requisite—linking two separate classes where students enroll in both
  • Cross-listing—two separate classes that meet at the same day/time and occasionally meet together
  • Guest lectures—adding expertise to the topic either in person or as a digital guest
  • Combined assignments—students in two separate classes collaborate on joint assignments as part of their course requirements
  • Workshops/conferences—students share presentations in other classes
  • And so many more!

Lunch provide.

Sponsored by the CLAS Deans' Office                                                                      2018 brochure


2017 The Many Facets of Collaborative Teaching Out of the Box Workshops Presented by CLAS Faculty Council

Are you interested in a change of pace and novel approaches to teaching?  This Out of the Box workshop hosted by CLAS Faculty Council provides an opportunity to meet colleagues with eclectic approaches to teaching collaboratively across a range of disciplines.  Enjoy a meal, share your interests, ask questions and brainstorm about practical ways to implement high-impact learning opportunities for students.  It's easier and more rewarding than you think. 

Dates held:

Session 1 --3/20/17 

Session 2--3/21/17 

Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.


OOTB 2016-- Out of the Box and Beyond the Margins-Connecting with the modern student

This winter 2016 OOTB was preceded by a "Book club" discussion.

Kristen Renn and Robert Reason, College Students in the United States: Characteristics, experiences and outcomes, 2012

College Students in the United States accounts for contemporary and anticipated student demographics and enrollment patterns, a wide variety of campus environments and a range of outcomes including learning, development, and achievement. Throughout the book, the differing experiences, needs, and outcome of students across the range of "traditional" (18-24 years old, full-time students) and nontraditional (for example, adult and returning learners, veterans, recent immigrants) are highlighted. The book is organized, for use as a stand-alone resource, around Alexander Astin's Inputs-Environment-Outputs (I-E-O) framework.

The Dean's office purchased the books for the first 20 Faculty interested in participating.

OOTB 2016 outcomes:

  • Creation of webpage resource to help faculty direct distressed students to appropriate resources.
  • Tips in CLAS Acts with reference to articles on the Blackboard site and related articles.

 


Links to Outcomes of Previous OOTB events

Student Success (2020 OOTB)

Collaborative Teaching

Research Clusters

CLAS Standards & Criteria for Personnel Evaluation (on Provost's website; requires log in)

Getting Your Groove Back

Supporting Students



Page last modified November 14, 2022