Professional development series aligns with Strategic Enrollment Management Plan

University partners have created opportunities for all faculty and staff to strengthen Grand Valley student readiness and success outcomes through a yearlong series of professional development events focused on student success. 

B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, said the series is one example of efforts that support and align with the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. He added the job of student success belongs to everyone and he is proud of the collaboration that led to the Student Success Series. 

"Grand Valley must continue to become a student-ready campus," Truss said. "This series will help faculty and staff understand the role they play in helping students achieve success from the moment they step on campus through commencement and beyond."

Events are planned throughout the 2022-2023 academic year; they are detailed below and open to all faculty and staff members.

The Student Success Series begins on Wednesday, August 24, with the 28th annual Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning, sponsored by the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. 

Tia Brown McNair, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Student Success at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, will give the keynote address inspired by her book, "Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success."

Register online for the fall conference, held at the Eberhard Center from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m..

Details about other Student Success Series events are below. More information will be posted later on the Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach website.

• September 14, Tia Brown McNair will return to campus to deliver her keynote address for anyone unable to attend the August 24 event; Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room, 8:30 a.m.

Later that day, McNair will join President Philomena V. Mantella and Provost Fatma Mili for a Fireside Chat focused on strategic leadership and steps to becoming a student-ready campus. Details about the Fireside Chat will be released later.

• October: A campus conversation about the Latino student experience.
• November: Grand Valley's equity gaps, presented by Truss; Philip Batty, director of Institutional Analysis; Susan Mendoza, director of the Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement; and Jennifer Stewart, professor of sociology. This discussion will look at best practices in removing barriers to high-impact practices and will connect back to McNair’s presentation.
• January: An expert in National Survey of Student Engagement data, Jillian Kinzie, from the NSSE Institute at Indiana University's School of Education, will present an in-depth look at Grand Valley's data in comparison to other institutions.
• March: Final meeting in the series, a call to action.