EDLD 5398 SP3 12 ET8028

School Improvement Recommendations

1. Expand JagChat to include featured, hosted web meetings for prospective students and their families. Topics include the admissions and financial aid processes, placement testing, class planning, degree plans, etc. This will allow Student Information Center (enrollment services generalists) to digitally engage with students who are accustom to online formats and experiences. The meetings can be archived for students who were not able to attend.

2. Fully implement Banner Relationship Module (BRM) to engage, motivate and communicate students as they progress through the enrollment funnel: connection, entry, progress and completion. This will ensure that students are advised and aware of next steps, mandates and engagement opportunities on campus. The BRM workflow allows for multiple distribution and delivery options including email, text, targeted announcements, and mail.

3. Develop a student progress dashboard for the student portal. For prospective students the dashboard will provide a visual gauge of their status in the enrollment pipeline. The Admissions Checklist should be used to design the prospective student dashboard. For current students, the dashboard will provide a visual gauge of their progress to degree completion. Ideally, the dashboard will leverage the students degree plan and include momentum points that mitigate loss (withdrawal) including prompts to visit with advisor, apply for financial aid, apply for graduation, etc.

4. Leverage Kuder (career and assessment inventory) to ensure that dual credit students progress through the pathway, creating momentum, mitigating loss and facilitating completion. Kuder will provide guidance regarding degree selection and career planning. In addition, the portable, e-portfolio, will be integral in facilitating matriculation to higher education or a career including access to admissions and scholarship applications, financial aid documentation, resume, etc.

5. Modify degree audit feature in student portal to serve as student degree plan. This will capture students pace and progress while facilitating time to degree. Ideally, the degree audit will also provide prompts for registration and will prevent students from registering in courses outside of their selected degree plan. With the reduction in semesters allowed for Federal Pell and the changes in the Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines, it is
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imperative that students are guided through the registration process and do not take courses that are not applicable to their degree plan or to transfer. This initiative will need to be coupled with a marketing plan to ensure students understand that if they change their mind, they need to change their major. Digital signage, social networking, BRM, and mass notification will be used to notify students and stakeholders.

Kimberly McKay

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EDLD 5398 SP3 12 ET8028

Position Goal & Leadership Statement

Position Goal: Although my original career goals did not include higher education, I find that my current role as Interim Dean of Enrollment Services is a good match for my skillset and future aspirations. I was promoted to the interim position when my supervisor was hired as the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. I am fortunate to have a leader that also serves as a mentor. He has given me the guidance, direction and support I need to fulfill my current roles and responsibilities as a dean. Upon completion of my masters degree, I will be eligible for the permanent position. I will be required to interview for the position; however, I think my work experience coupled with the knowledge gained through the Education Technology Leadership program at Lamar will make me a viable candidate. My short-term goals are to complete this degree, providing me with the credential required to obtain a permanent dean position. Long-term, the graduate credential will give me the option of teaching at the college level. This will give me insight to academic affairs and allow me to connect more closely with students. This knowledge will ensure that as a student affairs professional I continue to ensure that students are challenged in the classroom and not our processes. Leadership Goal: I have been fortunate that both personal and professional opportunities and experiences have given me the opportunity to serve in leadership positions. My ability to see the big picture and not lose site of the end goal are qualities that allow leaders to mitigate challenges and celebrate successes. Personally, I hope that I set an example and serve as a mentor/role model for my staff and the students we serve. I am motivated by the fact that we live in a region that has the lowest educational attainment level in the regions (one (1) in 10 Hispanic 8th graders in Texas complete a postsecondary degree within six (6) years of high school graduation), yet have the most potential for economic growth. This statistic plays a key role in informing my role as an enrollment manager and leader at a Hispanic Serving Institution. A postsecondary education is the path to the middle class for the students we serve. The knowledge I have gained in the ETL program coupled with my new insight into K-12 will prepare me to lead school improvement in higher education.

Kimberly McKay

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