In Fall 2020, the My Spartan Story team launched campus-wide My Spartan Story and the Spartan Experience Record, MSU’s new co-curricular record. This session will explore successes and challenges in launching a new initiative during the pandemic, and will also explore introductory data on how we have been able to expand recognition of co-curricular learning and engagement of undergraduate Spartans.

To access a PDF of the “Lessons Learned Launching a University-Wide Initiative in a Remote Environment” poster, click here.

Description of the Poster

Lessons Learned Launching a Campus-Wide Initiative in a Remote Environment Poster Outline 

Introduction 

My Spartan Story, Michigan State University’s new co-curricular record, planned to launch to undergraduate Spartans and the MSU community in a traditional campus environment for the 2020-2021 academic year. Significant strategy, resources, and collaboration defined a launch that soon became incongruent to the campuses needs pivoting to remote learning. The My Spartan Story Team shifted strategy to solely virtual methods to grow awareness and education of My Spartan Story and the Spartan Experience Record (a new customizable record displaying learning in non-credit bearing experiences that can be requested alongside the transcript through the Registrar’s Office). Several tactics planned had to be eliminated, and communications and programming methods rethought. Thankfully, time spent investing in website updates, resources and guides, and other methods simply became more invaluable.   

Methods 

All 

• Email communications sent to faculty, staff, administrators, and undergraduate students co-created with Provost Communications Team. 
• Downloadable resources and guides created to assist with workflows and utilization of the My Spartan Story platform. 

Faculty/Staff 

• Strategic outreach to campus community, presenting at unit meetings, and large monthly meetings such as Undergraduate Assistant/Associate Deans and Directors of Undergraduate Affairs (UGAAD). 
• My Spartan Story Faculty/Staff Workshops held 2-3 times monthly, welcoming organic connection to My Spartan Story. 

Students 

• Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts created; posts organized through Hootsuite. Content regularly shared by campus colleagues and students. 
• My Spartan Story 101 Workshops offered as well as Registered Student Organization Workshops in partnership with MSU Student Life. 
• My Spartan Story Week held in collaboration with platform partners Undergraduate Research and Center for Community Engaged Learning. 
• Contests and giveaways promoting engagement with the My Spartan Story platform held throughout the year. 
• Regular emails sent to students with a validated position on their Spartan Experience Record. 
• Virtual attendance at events such as Sparticipation and Spartan Remix. 

Results 

• Within Fall 2020, 87 new positions were submitted for review and inclusion in My Spartan Story, an 89% increase from Fall 2019 (46 positions). 
• 9% of positions (8) received were represented by two new colleges and one new division that previously did not have any submissions. 
• 91% of Fall 2020 submissions received from colleges/divisions we had an established relationship through 2019-2020 soft launch. 
• The potential number of students who could have a position validated to their Spartan Experience Record increased by 137.5% compared to Fall 2019 (1497 to 3556). 
• Increased engagement on social media platforms, with nearly 700 collective followers. 

Successes 

• Within Fall 2020, 87 new positions were submitted for review and inclusion in My Spartan Story, an 89% increase from Fall 2019 (46 positions). 
• 9% of positions (8) received were represented by two new colleges and one new division that previously did not have any submissions. 
• 91% of Fall 2020 submissions received from colleges/divisions we had an established relationship through 2019-2020 soft launch. 
• The potential number of students who could have a position validated to their Spartan Experience Record increased by 137.5% compared to Fall 2019 (1497 to 3556). 
• Increased engagement on social media platforms, with nearly 700 collective followers. 

Challenges 

• Within Fall 2020, 87 new positions were submitted for review and inclusion in My Spartan Story, an 89% increase from Fall 2019 (46 positions). 
• 9% of positions (8) received were represented by two new colleges and one new division that previously did not have any submissions. 
• 91% of Fall 2020 submissions received from colleges/divisions we had an established relationship through 2019-2020 soft launch. 
• The potential number of students who could have a position validated to their Spartan Experience Record increased by 137.5% compared to Fall 2019 (1497 to 3556). 
• Increased engagement on social media platforms, with nearly 700 collective followers. 

Future Steps 

• Within Fall 2020, 87 new positions were submitted for review and inclusion in My Spartan Story, an 89% increase from Fall 2019 (46 positions). 
• 9% of positions (8) received were represented by two new colleges and one new division that previously did not have any submissions. 
• 91% of Fall 2020 submissions received from colleges/divisions we had an established relationship through 2019-2020 soft launch. 
• The potential number of students who could have a position validated to their Spartan Experience Record increased by 137.5% compared to Fall 2019 (1497 to 3556). 
• Increased engagement on social media platforms, with nearly 700 collective followers. 

Figure Descriptions 

• Position increase chart 
• 3,556: Potential students who can have a validated position on their record by end of 2020-2021 academic year from Fall 2020 submissions  
• Social media platforms have significantly driven student engagement, specifically tagging students and organizations in posts. 
• Colleges & Divisions with Opportunities in My Spartan Story as of Fall 2020 
  • Associate Provost for Teaching, Learning and Technology 
  • Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education 
  • Associate Provost for University Outreach & Engagement 
  • College of Agriculture & Natural Resources 
  • College of Arts & Letters 
  • College of Communication Arts & Sciences 
  • College of Education 
  • College of Engineering 
  • College of Natural Science 
  • College of Osteopathic Medicine 
  • College of Social Science 
  • Division of Residential & Hospitality Services 
  • Eli Broad College of Business 
  • Executive Vice President for Administration 
  • Honors College 
  • International Studies & Programs 
  • James Madison College 
  • Libraries 
  • Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Education & Compliance 
  • Provost & Academic Affairs 
  • Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies 
  • Vice President for Student Affairs & Services