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Learning Communities and Public Affairs: Launching a New Program at Missouri State University

Learning Communities and Public Affairs: Launching a New Program at Missouri State University. Mike Wood Director, First-Year Programs. Agenda. What is Missouri State’s Public Affairs Mission? Developing Learning Communities: Why Now? Strategies for Faculty Recruitment & Development

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Learning Communities and Public Affairs: Launching a New Program at Missouri State University

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  1. Learning Communities and Public Affairs: Launching a New Program at Missouri State University Mike Wood Director, First-Year Programs

  2. Agenda • What is Missouri State’s Public Affairs Mission? • Developing Learning Communities: Why Now? • Strategies for Faculty Recruitment & Development • Reactions from faculty and students • Reflections: “Lessons Learned” • Resources • Wrap-up & questions

  3. Missouri State University • Founded in 1905 as a teaching college • State’s second largest university- 22,938 students • Nearly 4000 faculty and staff members • 90% of full time faculty have the most advanced degree available in their field. • 150 undergraduate majors, 47 graduate programs • Division I athletics

  4. Public Affairs Mission • Statewide mission in Public Affairs signed into law in 1995 • Three tenets of Public Affairs Mission include: Ethical Leadership Community Engagement Cultural Competence

  5. Our Public Affairs Theme changes each year—any guesses?Current State of the Economy

  6. Yearly Public Affairs Theme • 2006/07 One World: Many Voices • 2007/08 Seeking Solutions: Conflict, Violence, and the Courage to Change • 2008/09 Sustainability • 2009/10 Evolving Economic Realities • 2010/11 Leadership in a Global Society • 2011/12 Culture of Connectivity

  7. Ethical Leadership Goal: Students will articulate their value systems, act ethically within the context of a democratic society, and demonstrate engaged and principled leadership. • Helps students understand the ethical dimensions of leadership; taking what they learn in the classrooms, and using that knowledge to help solve problems and bring about change. Example activities on campus: • Leadership programs: (Emerging Leaders, Peer Leaders, SOAR Leaders etc. ) • Federal Reserve Speaker: Dr. SubhayuBandyopadhya Library Auditorium 3:30pm Wed.Terrorism and Policy: An International Perspective

  8. Constitution Day 2009 Associate Provost Rachelle Darabi, President Mike Nietzel, Megan Hammer, Student PAW Chair, Christina Bowles, GA, & Provost Belinda McCarthy

  9. Cultural Competence Goal: Students will recognize and respect multiple perspectives and cultures. • Missouri State builds its students' cultural knowledge through several avenues: Study Abroad, international students, and even the ability to study different languages, history, and religion courses throughout their academic career broadens their horizon to help build relationships, and bring about better competition for the future. • Experience Africa! Visit Shengana, Africa PSU Ballroom East 10 am – 3 pm and 6:15 – 7 pm Mon, Sept. 21

  10. Away We Go, sponsored by Student Activities Council | Wednesday, Sept. 16 @9 PM, PSU Theater. Experience Africa! Visit Shengana, Africa PSU Ballroom East 10 am – 3 pm and 6:15 – 7 pm Mon, Sept. 21

  11. Experience Africa! Visit Shengana, Africa PSU Ballroom East 10 am – 3 pm and 6:15 – 7 pm Mon, Sept. 21

  12. Experience Africa Event 2009

  13. Community Engagement  Goal: Students will recognize the importance of contributing their knowledge and experiences to their own community and the broader society. Goal: Students will recognize the importance of scientific principles in the generation of sound public policy. • This aspect takes their classroom knowledge beyond the books, tests, and classrooms. It lets them branch out and see how the world is working through a different lens—giving them the opportunity to work with their communities and build up their ability to lead in their careers. Example Activities: • Habitat for Humanity • Volunteer Fair • Citizenship Fair

  14. Student Success ProgrammingWhat we planned to do • Pilot Learning-Community Program Five identical cohorts of linked courses • IDS 110 (First-Year Seminar) • COM 115 (Public Speaking) • ENG 110 (English Comp) • Faculty were asked to include at least one integrated assignment, and include at least one co-curricular experience.

  15. What we actually did… • Eight learning communities were created. • Typically consisted of FYE seminar, English, and Public Speaking courses. • Another LC linking History and English created. • Another faculty member linked his first-year seminar to a religion course.

  16. What’s YOUR Theme? • All Learning Communities were encouraged to develop a “theme” and brief description. For example: • “My Place in this World” • “Money makes the World Go Round” • “Ancient History for the Post-Modern World: Tips for Life from the Buddha, ChinggisKhaan and others…” • “Come to the Cultural Fair” • And others…

  17. Learning Community class at Cook’s Kettle Restaurant Cook’s Kettle is a vocational training program for the homeless. Students also wrote a reflective essay about the experience.

  18. Common Reader A common reader was piloted in fall 2009 in most of the communities. A larger implementation is scheduled for fall 2010.

  19. Library Integration • Each LC had an assigned librarian as a member of their LC faculty team. • A variety of resource web pages were created—one for each LC. (handout)

  20. Activities across the Year • Introduce Mission and Theme at SOAR (orientation) • Freshman Convocation • GEP 101 • Common Reader

  21. Activities Continued • Public Affairs Week (Student Led) • Constitution Day • African Experience • Hunger Banquet • Public Affairs Distinction (Co-Curricular Transcript)

  22. GEP 101:First Year Foundations (new first-year seminar course for fall 2010) • 2 credit hours-(full semester) • 1 credit hour dedicated to Public Affairs • 10 sections of GEP 101 with Integrated Service Learning • 16 sections in Curricular Learning Communities • 8 sections: college or department specific • Pilot sections with undergraduate research

  23. Common Reader, 2010 Three Cups of Tea was selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and a student Peer Leader. The book will be used in all first-year seminar courses (approximately 100 sections, 2500 students). A variety of activities, including a keynote speaker by the author are planned for fall. PA Theme for 2010: Leadership in a Global Society http://www.missouristate.edu/paw/default.asp

  24. Assessment • IRB approval obtained, fall 2009 • Survey was administered to students in final two weeks of semester. (copy included in your packet) • Faculty survey • Spring 2010: follow up focus groups with students.

  25. What faculty are already saying… • “I have nearly 100% attendance in my LC!” • “Students are far more engaged, and seem more comfortable with each other and the instructor.” • “I can’t wait to do this again!” • “I have so many ideas I want to try next year!”

  26. What students are saying… • “In my LC I felt like I was more connected with the other students and my teacher” • “Our class became much closer and helped each other by forming study groups—it motivated me to not only come to class, but to participate.”

  27. LC survey results: positive outcomes • 85.5% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I communicated more easily with faculty in my LC than with my prof in my non-LC classes” • 92.03% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “The courses in my LC were well connected through a common theme.” • 86.96% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I appreciated the opportunity to be in a learning community.”

  28. LC survey results: not as positive • 61.79% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “I appreciated the co-curricular activities.” • 67.65% agreed or strongly agreed with “I enrolled in an LC because it’s a practical way to acquire new skills.” • 52.94% agreed or strongly agreed with “I enrolled in an LC because experiencing new things is a part of who I am.” • Discuss “Hyper-bonding” issues

  29. Promoting the Learning Communities

  30. Promoting & marketing the Learning communities • Flyer included with summer orientation packet. • Orientation advisors and student leaders educated about options during training. • Student success initiatives promoted at each SOAR (Summer Orientation, Advisement, and Registration) session throughout the summer.

  31. Reflections… • Important to start faculty recruitment early. • Experienced LC faculty to help recruit new people • Faculty/instructor development is essential. • Coordinating communities takes time, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! • Provide opportunities for faculty/instructors to interact, share ideas during the semester. • Encourage creativity-have fun!

  32. Reflections, continued… • Have realistic expectations for what can be accomplished during a pilot program. • Have a good working relationship with your Registrar—you will need their help! • Educate Academic Advisors and other stakeholders (department heads, deans, orientation leaders, etc.) early in the process.

  33. Questions? Contact information: Mike Wood: MikeWood@missouristate.edu (417)836-8343

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