Meeting the Goals of the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success

1. Meeting the Goals of the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success Presented By: Western Illinois University Illinois Board of Higher Education Board Meeting Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove Campus September 25, 2012

2. About the Presenters… • Dr. Gary Biller is Vice President for Student Services at Western Illinois University (gm-biller@wiu.edu) • Dr. Ron Williams is Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Illinois University (rc-williams@wiu.edu)

3. Some people make things happen. Some people watch things happen. Some people simply wonder what happened. --Author Unknown

4. Academic Excellence Educational Opportunity Social Responsibility Personal Growth Western Illinois University’s Core Values……. C1 C2 C4 C3

5. WIU’s Commitment to… • Increasing educational attainment • Improving college affordability • Strengthening workforce development • Linking research and innovation to economic growth

6. Best Practices… Increasing educational attainment: • Enhanced alternative admissions program • Targeted recruitment • Restructured financial resources (scholarships) • Promote diverse student groups/organizations

7. Best Practices… Improving college affordability: • Cost guarantee program • Providing student employment opportunities • Restructured financial resources (scholarships) • Intrusive advisement (academic and social) • Building Connections

8. Best Practices… Strengthening workforce development: • Underrepresented dissertation fellowship, visiting professor, and post-doctoral programs • The Dual Career Recruitment and Retention Program • The Administrative Internship Program

9. Best Practices… Linking research and innovation to economic growth: • significant intellectual contributions to rural and urban communities through: • the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs • the Institute for Environmental Studies • the Small Business Development Center • the Western Survey Research Center • the WIU-Quad Cities Executive Studies Center

10. WIU’s Diversity Statement The University is fundamentally committed to including and integrating individuals within the campus community from different groups regardless of their: gender, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic background, and/or intellectual outlook.

11. Western Illinois University Facts and Figures • Comprehensive Masters University • Currently, approximately 13,000 students enrolled One University, with 2 campuses: • Traditional, Residential 4 year Campus - Macomb, IL approximately 180 miles from Chicago • Upper Division Urban Commuter Campus - Moline, IL approximately 80 miles from main campus

12. Western Illinois University Underrepresented Population Facts and Figures • Students: • In 2002, 10.5% of students were minorities • Currently, 14.1% of students are minorities • WIU has experienced a 3.6% increase in the minority student population • Faculty and Staff • In 2002, 7.1% of faculty and staff were minorities • Currently, 9.0% of faculty and staff are minorities • WIU has experienced a 1.9% increase in the minority faculty and staff population

13. Enrollment Percentagesby Ethnic Group* * Includes both campuses. ** Includes students who marked “other” and those who failed to provide ethnic data. *** Percent of student body who completed an ethnic data card (excludes Other) and identified themselves as belonging to one of the four minority groups listed.

14. Best Practices to Successfully Meeting the Goals • Rethink approaches to access and affordability • Have the courage to think and act “outside the box” • Develop specific programs with specific goals and objectives

15. Senior Administrative Support • Active involvement from the President and Vice Presidents – rhetoric vs. action – “actual commitment” • The culture of the institution must be closely examined by senior administrators – positive change must be initiated from the top down • Institutional leaders must address the issues, and avoid the denial of problems • Must communicate that diversity is an on-going process and not an event that ends

16. Presidential Support • Encouraging total campus involvement • Creating an inclusive environment • Leading by example • Involving the local and surrounding community in the process • Providing support for mentoring programs

17. Q A & Questions and Answers

18. Thank You