Topic Area: Student Success
Presented by: Renata Opoczynski
Abstract:
While MSU has significantly improved its student success metrics (retention, graduation, credit momentum, probation rate, etc) over the last few years, large opportunity gaps still exist for many student sub-populations. The largest, and most stubborn opportunity gap on campus is for our Black students, and in particular our Black men. With MSU’s recent creation of a DEI strategic plan, and student success as a focus area of the campus strategic plan, it is imperative MSU create a strategic focus on closing its opportunity gaps. This session discusses one such strategic focus area: the University Innovation Alliance (UIA)’s Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI) focus on closing access, retention, and completion opportunity gaps for Black students.
The BSSI has three focus areas: Diversity of Faculty and Leadership, Campus Climate, and Retention and Graduation. The results of a landscape analysis will be shared and participants will learn about the areas where MSU is succeeding in supporting Black students on campus and areas where we have room to improve. Participants will also learn about what other institutions are doing to support Black students and how we can incorporate lessons learned from those campuses at MSU. Finally, participants will learn about MSU’s plan over the next three years to improve Black Student Success on campus and will be given the opportunity to provide feedback and identify ways to be engaged in the initiative.