OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2013 - 2014

Honors College

Goal

Improve Contacts With, Tracking Of, And Support From Honors Graduates

The Honors College will begin a targeted effort to make contact with former honors students and to discover trends in post-graduate education and career paths.

Objective

Tracking Alumni Career Paths And Enhancing Alumni Contributions

The Honors College will perform systematic tracking of the career paths and graduate work of honors graduates with the objective of setting up giving networks and support initiatives for the Honors College, as well as to use alumni outcomes as measurements of program success in preparting graduates for further education and for careers.

KPI

Improving Contact With And Response From Honors Alumni

This initiative will be a success if we achieve measureable gains in honors students who establish or re-establish contact (Facebook, event attendance, etc.) with Honors and who donate to Honors.

Result

Partial, Limited Accomplishment Of Objective

While we have increased and enhanced certain types of contact with our honors alumni--specifically increased Facebook awareness and some increase in participation in fund-raising--this objective remains only partially accomplished. We cancelled our intended alumni Homecoming event for good reason, but the cancellation worked a limitation on our planned contacts with alumni. We did make an effort to improve our alumni mailing list, and we have a good means of contact in place. We have earlier begun tracking career paths of our graduates (see Attachment 2), and we have been for some time surveying graduates about their honors experience (see Attachment 1). This effort is about overall program assessment, but it does help us with a continuation of contact with recent graduates. We just need to formalize our plans for contact and carry through with them this year. We did attempt an outreach through Facebook and gathered a good number of alumni followers there. We also made a concentrated effort through e-mail appeals to increase our alumni involvement in our Let's Talk fundraiser. All in all, we made a baby step this year in our alumni initiative.

Action

Ramping Up Our Alumni Outreach

In order to take full advantage of the outcomes we envisioned for this objective, in 2014-15, we will strengthen our efforts to make better, longer lasting contact with our honors alumni. We will step up our practice of tracking recent grads and continue working with the Alumni Association to track the career paths of honors grads--both recent and not so recent. The Let's Talk event has proved promising in tracking highly successful alumns from our earlier history and engaging them in honors support. We will continue with that effort, as well as the others launched but unfulfilled during the 2013-14 academic year. We need to do better, and we will.

Objective

Increase Support For Honors Students' Post-graduate Careers

The Honors College will seek to provide increased support for Honors students’ post-graduate academic careers. We will seek to increase level of support through various means, such as conference and research stipends, opportunities for presenting undergraduate research, preparation resources, and counsel for post-graduate educational success.

KPI

Tracking Student Post-graduate Academic Outcomes

This initiative will be a success if this initiative results in a measureable increase in students having academic papers accepted for presentation or publication. Another indicator would be an increase in the rates of acceptance into graduate programs, plus an increase in the support offered by those programs.

Result

Continued Success In Honors Undergraduate Research

The honors college has partially achieved the hoped-for outcomes for this objective. We have, in fact, significantly increased our support for conference and research support, particularly in the Spring 2014 semester (see Attachment 1). Most of this support became available through “Let’s Talk” funds. In the “opportunities for presenting undergraduate research” initiative, we have had good success. Our most outstanding contribution to enhanced undergraduate research experience for honors students (and non-honors SHSU students) remains the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Attachment 2 is the entire URS program, which gives full testimony to our continuing (and continuously improving) commitment to giving our students real opportunity for professional-type research presentation experience. Attachment 3, is an anecdotal representation of the other types of research support we have provided. We have been less successful in the latter initiatives, particularly the one of providing specific counsel for students seeking admission into graduate programs. We know anecdotally that our graduates are having great success with being admitted into graduate programs (and some excellent ones), and all of our directors regularly counsel students about graduate application (and we regularly write recommendation letters). However, we have not yet systematized this outreach.

Action

Continue Successes And Work On Graduate Program Outreach

While the Honors College has had demonstrable success in supporting students in their research efforts, especially through the URS and separate funding for graduate research and conference travel, we have been less successful in establishing specific outreach for students interested in graduate programs. In the coming year, we plan to conduct specific initiatives to help students prepare for graduate careers and for continued research and publication experiences.

Goal

Enhance The Honors Educational Experience Without Sacrificing Quality.

The Honors College will continue to mine NCHC literature and conferences, as well as ideas from other honors programs inside and outside our region, for ways to enhance the honors educational experience without sacrificing quality.

Objective

Strengthen And Enhance The Quality Of Honors Teaching

The Honors College will undertake a focused effort to increase and strengthen faculty involvement in honors classes by providing faculty development and support. This initiative will take shape in the form of written documents circulated to faculty and workshops/idea sessions on honors teaching effectiveness.

Indicator

Honors Faculty Development Survey

During 2014-15, the Honors College will undertake specific faculty development initiatives, particularly with the objective of increasing faculty understanding of honors educational practices and objectives. At the end of the year, we will survey honors faculty on the effectiveness of our faculty development effort.

Criterion

National Collegiate Honors Council Criterion

In seeking to enhance our connections and communications with honors faculty, we will follow criteria for honors teaching and faculty standards set by the National Collegiate Honors Council. We will produce our own teaching document to communicate these standards and criteria to our honors teaching faculty, both those who teach in seminars and those who teach in honors-only sections of regular courses.

Finding

Limited But Important Success With The Honors Teaching Objective

For a variety of reasons, this objective was largely not attempted. While all the directors continue to be knowledgable about NCHC standards and expectations, we did not publish the promised set of honors academic standards for our own honors teaching faculty. Nor did we conduct the planned-for workshops. Our major success in this area, however, was significant. The Honors College requested and was allowed the addition of a new assistant director, Dr. Patrick Lewis, a professor in the Biology Department. Dr. Lewis' main duties as assistant director are to coordinate and oversee honors classes and teaching, especially the seminars. This past year, he has been instrumental in planning for honors seminars and also communicating standards and expectations with honors faculty. He has been and will be our major instrument in the eventually successful completion of this objective.

Action

Plans For The 2014-15 Academic Year: Communicating Honors Teaching Expectations

During the 2014-15 academic year, the Honors College will publish and distribute honors teaching standards, guidelines, and expectations. We will also conduct at least one honors teaching workshop for current and prospective honors faculty. Dr. Lewis will continue coordinating honors seminars, both planning new seminars and overseeing the conduct of current seminars. We will also propose the addition of two new seminars for the 2014-15 SHSU curriculum cycle.

Goal

Rexamine, Refine, And Redefine The Honors Role On The SHSU Campus

After a significant growth trajectory, it is time to step back and reconsider the role of the Honors College on the SHSU campus.

Objective

Objectively Examine Perceptions And Realities About The Honors College On The SHSU Campus

After a period of significant growth and enhanced visibility, it is time to examine perceptions about the Honors College on campus and how these perceptions match the reality. We will seek to discover through comprehensive assessments how various honors demographics compare with the general student body and measure the comparative results. We will also look for ways to measure current perceptions about Honors among faculty, staff, and students and then consider whether we need to take action to enhance or correct those perceptions.

KPI

Comparison Of Honors Versus Non-honors Demographics

In order to reach a fuller understanding of our role and perception on campus, we will examine relative statistics of Honors versus general student body in the following areas: percentage of first-generation college goers, minority population (especially African-American and Hispanic), graduation rates, grade point average, percentage of international students, percentage of students from states other than Texas. Attachmnet 1 shows the relative percentages (honors to total student body) of first generation students and minority students, at the beginning of the Fall 2013 semester.

Result

Gathering Data On The Honors Versus General Demographic

During the 2014-15 academic year, the Honors College gathered a variety of demographic data, particularly about honors-versus-non honors enrollments by first-generation and minority students, but also in various other areas of interest. This broad net was cast so as to get a better overall view of both the honors demographic and the demographic data of the general student body. We gathered honors data on gender, transfer students, graduation by demographic, and a variety of current student assessments. The four attachments provide insight into the scope of this data gathering initiative. This information has been critical in our examination of honors demographic trends, as well as providing great insight into honors versus general student body demographics. For instance, we have observed a substantial rise in the number of minority students in the Honors College (from 15 in 2007 to 57 in 2013). We also have found of great interest the current percentages of first-generation students (34% honors to 64% all students) and minority students (35% honors to 56% all students). This data gathering has been significant in raising our consciousness about both our honors student profile and the general Sam student profile. What remains incomplete is measurement of perception and what actions we might take in response to (or reaction against) those perceptions. The data gathering is ongoing; the perception measurement is a project for the coming year.

Action

Continuing Data Collection And Acting On Conclusions

Now that we have launched new data-gathering projects (and continued others), it is time for us to begin to measure and consider what the data mean. We also need to come to a fuller understanding (measurement?) of how honors is perceived by other entities on campus, including non-honors students, as well as the academic and support organizations. The data collection is ongoing; now we will begin an attempt to understand and act on the data.

Goal

Continue To Enhance The Honors College Impact On Undergraduate Research

Through the dramatic success of the Undergraduate Research Symposium, the Honors College has established itself as a major player in undergraduate research. Now it is time to connect our success with other, new initiatives on and off campus.

Objective

Connecting With Other Undergraduate Research Programs And Initiatives

The Honors College will continue to enhance its own role in undergraduate research, especially through our Undergraduate Research Symposium, but we will also seek to work with other campus programs to share our experience and expertise in undergraduate research. We will also seek to connect with, learn from, and contribute to regional and national undergraduate research initiatives.

Indicator

Dedicated Coordination With Other Undergraduate Research Initiatives.

The indication of success in this area will be records of contact and exchange with campus departments and programs, as well as outreach and coordination with external agencies and organizations, especially regional and national efforts in both honors education and undergraduate research. We will also continue to measure progress in our own URS.

Criterion

NCHC Assessment Guidelines

The general criteria for assessment which cover this objective are the National Collegiate Honors Council statements and guidelines concerning undergraduate research.

Finding

Expanded Honors Undergraduate Research Presence

First of all, the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) continues to grow in both numbers and presence on our campus. The 2014 URS topped all previous iterations in support and in participation from both student presenters and faculty mentors and moderators. See Attachment 1. Particular improvement came in the area of poster presentations, which were more numerous, more discipline-diverse, and of better quality. Attachment 2 suggests the memorable quality of the poster presentations. In terms of expansion, the Honors College took an active part in the development of the EURECA program for undergraduate research. Assistant Director Dr. Kimberly Bell serves on the EURECA committee and has worked directly with the director of that program on expanding and improving undergraduate research at SHSU (see Attachment 3). We have not, however, taken initiative to import our undergraduate experience beyond our own campus (except for our earlier presentations on the URS at the annual convention of the National Collegiate Honors Society and for Dr. Bell's active participation in the Council on Undergraduate Research). We remain a driving force for undergraduate research on campus, but we have work to do in expanding our efforts.

Action

Expanding Honors Undergraduate Research Beyond This Campus

While our presence and importance in undergraduate research remains fully in evidence, we still need to pursue our expressed desire to expand our scope and influence. The URS will continue as it has been, and we will continue to coordinate with EURECA and any other undergraduate research initiatives on campus. What remains to be pursued is outreach. We will explore the possibility of extending the URS or other honors research initiatives beyond our own campus, and we will actively pursue a presence in discussions of undergraduate research in regional and national organization, particularly the Council on Undergraduate Research and the National Collegiate Honors Council.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Improve on the quality of the honors educational experience without compromising quality
1. Increase the number and disciplines of upper-division and core-curriculum honors courses
2. Add honors tracks in other areas, such as Allied Health and Nursing
3. Explore the addition of honors faculty

Update: We successfully added upper division courses in Criminal Justice and reinstated a sophomore History course. We have established an honors track in CJ and a partial one in Education. Talks about an honors track in nursing are ongoing.

Improve on the Honors College physical facility and staffing
1. Seek expanded space for offices, storage, meeting facilities, and student use
2. If additional space becomes available, seek additional Honors College staff, such as a full-time advisor or additional secretary
3. Seek a better and more permanent solution to Honors College student housing
4. Improve on current recruitment and retention
  1. Add personnel capable of taking on an advising load
  2. Work with the Admissions Office and Institutional Effectiveness to produce improved prospects listings

Update: With the support of the Associate Provost and the cooperation of the Vice President for Instructional Technology, we have added much-need office and storage space in AB4. Our new administrative assistant is in place, and the initiative to add an additional advisor/assistant director are in progress.A more permanent agreement with Residence Life assures us of a better honors housing situation in Raven Village. New coordinated agreements with Enrollment Management promise a more efficient and timely flow of data for recruitment. This area was a clear success.

Correct identified fiscal and budget deficiencies
1. Find new funding for the Bowers Scholarships and/or the Bowers Endowment
2. Develop a stipend plan for faculty supervising honors theses
3. Work with the Alumni Office to develop a contribution stream from Honors alumni

Update: With a significant contribution of scholarship support from Academic Affairs, the Bowers Endowment shortage was addressed, though a shortfall still looms. No progress has been made on stipends for faculty supervising theses. This is on hold. Developing a revenue stream from honors alumni is an ongoing project. Partial success, but significant.

Expand the presence and impact of the Undergraduate Research Symposium
1. Study the possibility of involving the Woodlands Center and creating connections with Lone Star College
2. Study the long-term possibility of opening the URS to students from other universities
3. Seek additional funding for further presentation awards

Update: The URS continued its upward trajectory in both size and quality, especially from increased faculty participation. The idea of establishing a Woodlands Center connection and expanding the URS to include other universities remains a long-term possibility. We are continuing to seek funding for further presentation awards.

Plan for continuous improvement Actions Remaining from the 2013-14 Strategic Plan

Goal I, Objective A. Tracking Alumni Career Paths and Enhancing Alumni Contributions

Action Statement. In order to take full advantage of the outcomes we envisioned for this objective, in 2014-15, we will strengthen our efforts to make better, longer lasting contact with our honors alumni. We will step up our practice of tracking recent grads and continue working with the Alumni Association to track the career paths of honors grads--both recent and not so recent. The Let's Talk event has proved promising in tracking highly successful alumni from our earlier history and engaging them in honors support. We will continue with that effort, as well as the others launched but unfulfilled during the 2013-14 academic year. We need to do better, and we will.

Plan for Continuous Improvement.

Begin more robust tracking of the careers of honors graduates, beginning with the most recent and working back in time.
Reinstitute and formalize social events, such as the Honors Alumni reception during Homecoming Week.
Actively develop and institute a plan for reengaging honors alumni and their levels of contribution, particularly through personal appeals and connection with the Let’s Talk event

Goal I, Objective B. Increase Support for Honors Students Post-Graduate Careers

Action Statement. While the Honors College has had demonstrable success in supporting students in their research efforts, especially through the URS and separate funding for graduate research and conference travel, we have been less successful in establishing specific outreach for students interested in graduate programs. In the coming year, we plan to conduct specific initiatives to help students prepare for graduate careers and for continued research and publication experiences.

Plan for Continuous Improvement.

Improve systematic contact with honors alumni who have gone on to graduate or professional schools.
Work with the graduate office and the McNair Program to establish workshop and training designed to enhance the applications and improve the graduate experiences of honors students seeking post-graduate education
Work with faculty (especially URS advisors, honors contract supervisors, and honors classroom faculty) to enhance honors student awareness of research and professional publications processes and opportunities.

Goal II, Objective A. Strengthen and Enhance the Quality of Honors Teaching

Action Statement. During the 2014-15 academic year, the Honors College will publish and distribute honors teaching standards, guidelines, and expectations. We will also conduct at least one honors teaching workshop for current and prospective honors faculty. Dr. Lewis will continue coordinating honors seminars, both planning new seminars and overseeing the conduct of current seminars. We will also propose the addition of two new seminars for the 2014-15 SHSU curriculum cycle.

Plan for Continuous Improvement.

Follow through on the plan to conduct workshops for honors faculty, both the teachers of honors seminars and standalone honors courses.
Propose two new seminars for the coming undergraduate curriculum cycle.

Goal III, Objective A. Objectively Examine Perceptions about Honors on the SHSU Campus

Action Statement. Now that we have launched new data-gathering projects (and continued others), it is time for us to begin to measure and consider what the data mean. We also need to come to a fuller understanding (measurement?) of how honors is perceived by other entities on campus, including non-honors students, as well as the academic and support organizations. The data collection is ongoing; now we will begin an attempt to understand and act on the data.

Plan for Continuous Improvement.

Continue gathering honors demographic data but begin a phase of measuring and analyzing the implications of those data
Begin the promised effort to formally assess how the Honors College and honors students are perceived on campus (among faculty and staff, as well as in the student body)
Determine whether any changes are necessary as a result of the above surveys