Enhancing Higher Education Quality Through Collaboration

1. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ ACHEAAssociation of CaribbeanHigher Education AdministratorsSecond Annual ConferenceTHE CHALLENGE OF QUALITY FOR THE HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALJuly 12, 2002 STUDENT AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP Presented by Dr. Patricia A. Spradley

2. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ “All parts of campus life – recruitment, orientation, curriculum, teaching, residence hall living, and the rest – must relate to one another and contribute to a sense of wholeness.”Ernest Boyer 1987

3. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Brief History of Student Affairs • Colonial Colleges • Student affairs – American higher education invention • Accommodating increasing student populations • Change in focus from curricular matters

4. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Purpose and Roleof Student Affairs • Holistic student development • Structure student-centered environments • High expectations for student learning • Expand teaching and learning in and out-of-class • Provide services and programs

5. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Learning Outcomes • Cognitive Skills • Interpersonal skills • Organizational skills • Self-discipline • Self-understanding

6. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Partnerships …Why are they so important • Commitment to a common goal • Recognition of roles • Understanding of student success • Advance student learning • Improve student retention • Improve total college experience • Create learning communities

7. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Common Issues in Studentand Academic Affairs • Assessment • Technology • Changing student populations • Student Retention • General Education

8. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Principles of Good Practicefor Student Affairs • Active learning • Coherent values and ethical standards • Communicate high expectations • Systematic inquiry • Efficient effective use of resources • Build supportive, inclusive communities • Forge educational partnerships

9. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Student and Academic Affairsin Collaboration Three Categories • Structural Collaborations • Curricular Partnerships • Programmatic Activities

10. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Structural Collaboration • Shape institutional vision and mission • Develop joint planning teams • Evaluate institution’s organizational structure • Support students through services and programs

11. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Curricular Partnerships • Work together to develop curriculum • Service learning • Co-teach courses • Create learning communities • Integrate student learning styles in pedagogy • Link in and out-of-class programs

12. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Programmatic Activities • Student Orientation • Faculty/staff orientation for first year • First Year Experience Course • Interest groups/faculty fellows • Student activities, clubs, and organizations • Programmatic activities assessment

13. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Strategies to Promote Student andAcademic Affairs Collaborations • Generate enthusiasm for institutional renewal • Create “seamless learning environments” • Foster cross-functional dialogue • Develop common perspectives on student learning • Promote college-wide understanding of goals for student development • Use outcomes assessment as an opportunity • Focus on systematic change

14. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Collaboration Challenges • Implementing seamless learning environments • Responding to students’ academic and environmental barriers • Structured opportunities to work cohesively • Time constraints • Institutional re-evaluation of organizational culture • Respect for one another in collaborative efforts

15. ACHEA Conference July 2002 ‘The Challenge Of Quality for the Higher Education Administrative Professional.’ Recommendations • Training in student affairs, student personnel administration, graduate and post graduate work • Find new ways to work together • Facilitate value-added linkages between students’ in and out-of-class experiences • Design complementary activities, services, and practices • Emphasize college-wide importance for collaborative partnerships