Student Life Case Study of MHCC

1. Student LifeCase Study of MHCC Presenters: Robert Cox Meadow McWhorter

2. Exercise Get into groups of four and discuss: What are the signs of a “successful” student life program You have 10 minutes

3. Signs of Success at MHCC • Clear processes through governing documents • Students drive everything! • High level of engagement among student leaders • Partnerships with academic programs • Excitement on campus

4. Historical Context • Lack of advisor • No student accountability • Sophisticated structure unsophisticated governing documents • Massive budget carryovers • Lack of trust between students and employees

5. Current Structure • 10 of Executive Cabinet Members • 15 Student Senators • 7 Student Activity Board Members • 5 Elections Committee Members • Co-Curricular and Athletics responsible to ASG for budget spending and appropriations through finance councils • 22 active Registered Student Organizations

6. Clear Process • Board/administrative regulations, ASG Constitution, By-Laws, BPD’s overhaul • Engage students in process • Administrative check

7. Results • Clear expectations/job descriptions • Checks and balances • Accountability measures with disciplinary proceedings • Time saver as students hold each other accountable • Students persist in programs

8. Students Drive Everything • Advisors should guide, not drive programs • Students fight changes they perceive as “forced” • Students feel bad letting down other students, more than advisors • Advisors/administrators have final check/say

9. Results • Positions remain full • Students support the outcomes as long as they are part of establishing the rules • Students are valued and feel valued • Campus wide participation increased

10. High Level of Engagement • Created foundational documents • Increased expectations with accountability • Provide training and support to leaders • Student to student interaction encouragement

11. Results • Tripled the amount of voters • Doubled the amount of ASG applicants • Students bought into the ASG system • Students hold each other accountable • Tight knit group of students who support each other • Tutor each other outside of ASG • Volunteer whenever needed

12. Partnerships with Academics • Graphics Design Students • Photography Students • Hospitality and Tourism Students • Fund various non-academic events and travel

13. Results • High quality promotional material • Considerable cost savings • Fund raising opportunity for Studio 257 • Business relationship between ASG and class students • Provides cross over training • Expands Student Life network base

14. Excitement on Campus • Identify underserved populations • Break the mold of on-campus only programming • Link with athletics • Community sponsors

15. Exercise Break into groups of four Brainstorm the following: What underserved populations are there on your campus and what events/programs might they be interested in?

16. Results • Over 1200 attendees to an event • Events for: students over 50, single students, numerous multicultural groups, night students • Partnered with athletics for “Dog Pound” • Generated nearly $6000 from community partnerships for events

17. Excitement Impact Quotes from MHCC employees: “I just wanted to say great job! I saw more active student involvement this year than in my entire ten years I have been here” “I’ve never seen more students hanging out on campus (in the ten years I’ve worked here) as I have in the last year or so” “Good job on the Spring Dinner Dance. It’s great to see this event come back with a lot of enthusiasm and support from students”

18. Student Outcome Assessment Evaluate student quarterly to: • Document progress • Key into commonalities • Provide training to meet student needs

19. Future Strategic Plan • HS leadership conference with Student leaders as workshop facilitators • Assessment to determine campus wide impact • Game room conversion into coffee shop