Managing Change During Uncertainty

Interactive Transcript

spk_0 You're listening to the Data in Higher Education Podcast series, episode 16, Managing Change

spk_0 during uncertainty.

spk_0 Hi, everyone.

spk_0 This is Anami Gris at Campus Labs, and today I'm here with a very special podcast episode.

spk_0 In today's episode, we're listening to real talk about change in higher education.

spk_0 What does it look like to drive and manage change in today's drawing new reality?

spk_0 What data do we need to steer the ship?

spk_0 And how do we use that data to maintain financial stability and ensure student learning?

spk_0 This conversation is led by my colleague, Dr. Kelly Rainey, who brought together some really

spk_0 meaningful voices for us to learn from.

spk_0 Today we're going to hear from Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College,

spk_0 and former president of Florida Memorial University.

spk_0 Dr. Mike Bonnet, senior VP for advancement at the University of Lynchburg.

spk_0 Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, past president of Bennett College, and current member of the

spk_0 president's Board of Advisors on historically black colleges and universities.

spk_0 And Dr. Jillian Kinsey, associate director of the Nessie Institute at Indiana University,

spk_0 and senior scholar at the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment.

spk_0 So what happens when you bring together such a storied group of higher education professionals

spk_0 for real talk about change?

spk_0 Let's find out.

spk_0 Now today institutions are really considering the pandemic's implications on higher education.

spk_0 And that's really causing significant shifts in our operations and our direct impact on

spk_0 our strategic goals, our processes, and even the culture in which our institutions stand.

spk_0 So in a space that's really been slow to adapt historically, higher education must really

spk_0 take the opportunity to respond swiftly to the need and the pressure for rapid transformation

spk_0 during times of uncertainty. But how? And do many of our institutions have the ability and

spk_0 the stamina to deal with this magnitude of change? How do we now turn and move forward when it comes

spk_0 to summer and to fall? What are institutions really need to face and what should they address?

spk_0 And what do they need to do now to start preparing for that?

spk_0 Well, that's a great question, Kelly. And thank you very much for allowing

spk_0 Benedict College to participate in this important conversation. I think the reality is no one knows

spk_0 what to expect. And so we have to find our footing on very uncertain terrain at this particular

spk_0 moment in time. The ability to collect process and derive meaning from data points is going to be

spk_0 critically important as we move forward. We understand that we've been thrust into an environment

spk_0 that we have little choice over, that we had to adapt quickly, be agile, be resilient, and move

spk_0 forward. But now that we have a moment to stop and think the semester has concluded, our grades

spk_0 are in and we begin to plan what fall looks like. Most institutions, of course, have suspended summer

spk_0 operations, at least in person summer operations, with an eye toward the fall. We now have an

spk_0 opportunity to take a look at the extent to which our learning outcomes were achieved, given the

spk_0 disruption that we that we endured during the spring. We have a chance to look at course and

spk_0 great distributions. Where did we do a good job? Which courses need to be revamped to more accurately

spk_0 meet the learning outcomes in a virtual environment? Will we look at hybrid and or fully online

spk_0 programs for the fall? I think that question is simple. I think we have no option. And so the

spk_0 important piece for us now is to really do some self-assessment to do some pulsing, if you will.

spk_0 We pride ourselves on keeping our fingers on the pulse of our student staff, faculty,

spk_0 Heather feeling, the decision trees that we all are facing right now require us to look at

spk_0 technology capacity. Did our systems serve us well during the emergency spring? Will those systems

spk_0 be sustainable going forward? Do our processes where they agile enough to allow for quick shifts,

spk_0 changes and new inputs, new information that's coming forward all the time from our students

spk_0 and other constituents are the processes adaptable to our new reality. From a human standpoint,

spk_0 we're monitoring data not only on student performance, but critical things that impact the student's

spk_0 success. Students access to technology, the extent which broadband is readily available,

spk_0 the extent which we can make modifications to our courses and programs that are much more conducive

spk_0 to student achievement of the learning outcomes. To what extent are textbooks required in this new

spk_0 reality? We're looking at all of those factors as we move forward and then ultimately assessing our

spk_0 human capacity. The extent to which our faculty are also agile that they're emotionally strong,

spk_0 that they're well prepared to move forward in the fall where they themselves are suffering from

spk_0 some level of displacement from the campus and from their students. And so lots of data points

spk_0 are taking a moment to really assess those data points decide which are noise and which are

spk_0 really valid indicators of the future of higher education will be our task for the summer.

spk_0 Those are some really great points, President Artis. I definitely want to bring in Dr. Dockins on

spk_0 this. She's doing a lot of work with some additional institutions and I've had some conversation

spk_0 directly related to what you've explained and laid out. Dr. Dockins, I want to bring you in.

spk_0 So what are some of the current approaches that you're actually seeing being applied,

spk_0 even aligning with what President Artis mentioned?

spk_0 Yes, as we look forward to the fall, we also recognize that currently 67% of the 780 colleges

spk_0 track the crimeical dismay have indicated that they will open to face to face operations

spk_0 during the fall. So what does this mean in terms of leadership? According to a recent Gallup poll

spk_0 published last month, there are several strategies that the leadership team, the President,

spk_0 the board, must effectively display during this pandemic. Number one, to build trust as they prepare

spk_0 for fall reopening. Shell compassion, practice well-being for employees and students, and lies,

spk_0 but not least offer hope for the future. And to this extent, leaders, campus leaders are

spk_0 telling current operational approaches, approaches to the needs of their individual institutions

spk_0 by following the CDC guidelines and collaboration with state and local health officials

spk_0 to implement some of the following activities that would indicate a new way of operating for the fall.

spk_0 For example, looking at how they want to clean a disinfectant facilities, what are they going to

spk_0 to control behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID? How are they going to maintain a healthy

spk_0 environment and healthy operations by offering teleworking and remote learning? How are they going

spk_0 to address modified job responsibilities, creating flexible work schedules, staggerships of classes,

spk_0 social distancing guidelines, residential hall guidelines, and policies related to group gathering.

spk_0 And then for student affairs people and faculty, how are students going to be supported virtually?

spk_0 A virtual student support services? And then many institutions are looking at

spk_0 looking at divinating a COVID point of contact administrator and then providing this summer staff

spk_0 training for the pandemic. And then also to look at selecting an isolation facility on campus for

spk_0 employees and students. And then also looking at restricting travel, especially international travel.

spk_0 So some of these activities are the new ways that the leadership team and the president

spk_0 has to dress in terms of internal operations. And then furthermore, some institutions are even

spk_0 driving down deeper than the COVID guidelines. And they're looking at testing, COVID testing and

spk_0 contract testing, tracing, and temperature tests and offering PPE kits. So to do this effectively

spk_0 and then allow for input, institutions have to engage in or conduct needs and outcomes assessments

spk_0 with faculty, staff, students, and other constituents and conduct these assessments on a regular

spk_0 basis. So overall institutions and this time of crisis as they approach the fall, they really

spk_0 will have to enhance their communication skills to those constituent groups and operate in transparency.

spk_0 Thank you for that too. As you were talking, I was thinking too about some of the work that Dr.

spk_0 Kenzie does, particularly from the academic lens. Can I bring you in as well on this? Because I think

spk_0 hearing some of the discussions that you've had with some campuses in the last couple of months

spk_0 can also provide additional perspective on this topic. Yeah, thanks, Kelly. And thanks,

spk_0 Capuz Labs for sponsoring this session today. I really appreciate what President Ardice and

spk_0 President Phyllis Wuerley Dawkins has already covered on this topic. I think both of their

spk_0 responses were very comprehensive. I'll highlight a couple things. One, I want to return to where

spk_0 idea about this being about change management. And I want to go to the key step that I think

spk_0 starts any change management process is this idea of making a case for change. No matter what

spk_0 model of change management you was described to or study, most of them start with the need to build a

spk_0 case. And I think both previous respondents talked about kind of getting our priorities straight,

spk_0 figuring out what we learned from the spring semester in order to make a case for the changes that

spk_0 we will inevitably be making and that we need to make to this next whatever our academic year looks

spk_0 like, whether that be a high flex or a completely online remote or residential or residential

spk_0 ish as I've been hearing. I think that we really need to think about what did we learn from this

spk_0 spring. We need to capture that information both what went well and where we really got tripped up.

spk_0 And then I think we need to make sure that we are reminding ourselves about what our campus

spk_0 traditionally does well. And I would argue that the way to do that is to go back to the data and

spk_0 make sure that you know what your campus does historically well. And then figure out, all right,

spk_0 given our new circumstances, our change circumstances, how will we assure that we continue to do those

spk_0 things well. So that could set some prioritization and help you make a case for some of the changes

spk_0 you're making. And then finally, I think the one aspect I'll add to our previous respondents is

spk_0 this idea of the fact that COVID-19 has left no part of education untouched. And when I say that,

spk_0 what I mean is our high, we have to think about the students who are coming into our educational

spk_0 programs. So for most of the campuses that I get to work with, it's high school graduates. But

spk_0 no denying that community colleges might be saying more high school graduates and community colleges

spk_0 might also be saying returning adults who have lost their jobs. So thinking about what do these

spk_0 now students who went through a very different high school experience as remote or adults who

spk_0 are returning to the college for the first time need to perform well. So I think we need to be

spk_0 asking slightly different questions about what entering students need. And we need to really invite

spk_0 students to tell us what they need. So this might emphasize the needs for more data collection

spk_0 among entering students and really doing some pretty serious monitoring of the quality of the

spk_0 experience from the get go. So from the minute students are on campus, we're monitoring the changes

spk_0 that we've made so that we can continue to make a case for what's working. Great points, absolutely

spk_0 great points. Definitely I'm thinking about the fact of you just said no part of the campus is

spk_0 left untouched during this time period. And it just makes me think of a additional level of

spk_0 thinking in regards to the varying levels of changes. And so I want to bring Dr. Dockins back in

spk_0 to this conversation with thinking about the required changes and as a result of the pandemic.

spk_0 Are there certain types of institutions that are more at risk that are going to have to navigate

spk_0 these challenging times at a different level that are going to experience financial instability

spk_0 more deeply based on some of the work that you've been doing. Are there some thoughts behind this

spk_0 this question? Yes, many of the following types of institutions are at risk. It's in there at risk

spk_0 if they do not make transformer to changes based on current and future financial metrics

spk_0 in a timely manner. For example, private small private independent colleges. HBCUs are tribal

spk_0 colleges, tuition-driven institutions, low endowed institutions, institutions with low cash reserves,

spk_0 or institutions with financial accreditation issues. They already had these accreditation

spk_0 citations and low enrolled institutions. And those institutions based on current financial

spk_0 metrics that implies changes to current business operations and institutional assessment data

spk_0 to focus on a new vision for a transformative campus. These institutions must navigate

spk_0 to account for different things. For example, recently, most of the institutions received funding

spk_0 from the CARES Act. And now they got to figure out how do these funds impact their June 30th

spk_0 audit. Many received funding from the Payroll Protection Program. They received institutional

spk_0 discretion funds. There have been some financial aid changes. Then there are institutions that

spk_0 receive research funds for fundraising. And then there are other fund raising opportunities

spk_0 or benefits for donors at this time under the CARES Act as well. So institutions are going to

spk_0 have to redesign their financial business operations. They're going to have to look at cutting

spk_0 costs, freezing travel, freezing hiring, and others as well as freezing salaries. Many institutions

spk_0 have already moved to furlough, faculty, and staff. And then just overall reduce spending.

spk_0 And then other institutions are looking at freezing current tuition, room, and board,

spk_0 or offering a different pricing scenario. And then above all, this summer, many institutions

spk_0 are engaged in scenario planning, and contingency planning. And they're thinking about how they can

spk_0 use or update technology across the world's space as well as learning space to innovate the

spk_0 campus for the future. And I would say number one, institutions are dealing with right now.

spk_0 What will enrollment look like for the fall? And in that regard, how are they going to

spk_0 bright-size fall enrollment? What will they do to survey and communicate with students in the

spk_0 timely manner as well as communicating survey to the parents? And then many institutions are also

spk_0 offering virtual campus tours on their websites. And this is all under enrollment management,

spk_0 or upgrading the campus website, because the campus website has become the focus of new student

spk_0 recruitment. And then how are they going to unboard new students for the fall? And then to look at

spk_0 and not forget the upper class returning students, how are they going to retain those students? And so

spk_0 to this extent, a couple of things I just want to close with and we go through this question is

spk_0 not only are institutions looking at current business operations, they are going to have to

spk_0 make shifts in their planning process. We've eyes in the updated strategic plans, enrollment plans,

spk_0 academic plans, technology plans, as well as fundraising plans.

spk_0 And you just gave me a great idea of bringing in Dr. Bonnet on this question too, because thinking

spk_0 from a fundraising standpoint, just institutional effectiveness or advancement in general,

spk_0 are you seeing any particular efforts or some key strategies to assist with current and the

spk_0 next fiscal year budget? Sure, thank you Kelly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part

spk_0 of this. I've been thinking about this time of year, generally May and June, we're all looking

spk_0 to say, all right, we've got this little bit left in our budget. What do we need to, what do we

spk_0 need to spend right now that's going to be going in July as we start the next fiscal year? And

spk_0 I'm really struggling with how to justify that right now in these trying times, because I believe

spk_0 every dollar we save for the institution now will benefit us in the next fiscal year.

spk_0 And that's absolutely important and the fundraising piece and Dr. Dawkins is absolutely right that

spk_0 we're still trying to figure out what our fundraising specifically gift officer, you know, major gifts

spk_0 folks who are out on the road, what that's going to look like for the fall. And it's likely we're

spk_0 going to be impacted by this pandemic for at least two years financially and longer, depending on

spk_0 when we get vaccines and all the other things that are important to bring in our students back.

spk_0 However, for me, now's the time to find efficiencies within our operation and sometimes that requires

spk_0 an outlayer resources that improve those situations over time. And for us, one of our strategic

spk_0 goals is creating this culture of philanthropy among our students. Well, that gives us an opportunity

spk_0 to work with folks in financial aid. It gives us the opportunity to work with folks in student

spk_0 affairs and engage our students in the understanding of the money that comes in for them that supports

spk_0 their education and then how they respond in stewardship to the donors. So we're looking at a

spk_0 short term expense to provide an application that would work across all of those areas and then

spk_0 work to build that particular piece with our students. That short term expense even in difficult

spk_0 times and especially when you have the opportunity to garner some much new human resources for

spk_0 implementation, potentially because we have folks in IT that might be currently under employed.

spk_0 And I'm saying that with with air quotes to use some of their time to help us implement this

spk_0 particular piece of technology while it may cost us a little bit of money right up front. It might

spk_0 pay dividends for the future as we figure out what this new way of business looks like. I don't

spk_0 believe any of us have a full understanding of how our jobs are going to change in the next couple

spk_0 years and what our responsibilities will be. I think they will look very different in maybe even six

spk_0 six to 12 months than they do right now. And I think if we can deal with those changes

spk_0 right now or deal with those things we know won't change right now, we put ourselves in a better

spk_0 place for the future. That's helpful because I think sometimes in our in our conversations today,

spk_0 we're not exactly sure how institutional advancement plays that direct role in our conversations

spk_0 because we've been focused on some specific things at this point. But I definitely

spk_0 hearing some of the things that you've laid out brings in that lens of going back to what's been

spk_0 already said on the call. It's the fact that everything is moving. Everything has a connection points

spk_0 here and bringing in the lens of even institutional advancement in the conversation of what's

spk_0 happening with our current budget and thinking ahead, not just into the next fiscal year,

spk_0 but even thinking two years down the road, how all of this is impacting. So I do want to shift a

spk_0 little bit or bring us back to that data point. And I'm going to bring back to our conversation,

spk_0 Dr. Kinsey, to really think about from a proactive standpoint, getting ahead of things,

spk_0 getting ahead of these challenges that we have acknowledged and we recognize exist,

spk_0 and really get to what data is really relevant for our leaders during this point in time.

spk_0 What data points are really critical that leaders have to have at their fingertips to be able

spk_0 to make some of these changes and making that case for change as you highlighted before.

spk_0 Thanks, Kelly. Of course, I already kind of exposed my orientation to the change management work

spk_0 is really from our results base. And I'm sad to say that I think some change management

spk_0 strategies don't emphasize results enough. At least I don't know if anyone can satisfy my needs

spk_0 for results and assessment data to inform their work. So I do like a heavy degree of evidence-based

spk_0 change, but I think that in this case for how we plan and be more proactive to get ahead of the

spk_0 challenges, or at least we're never going to get ahead of this. It's changing every day.

spk_0 But I think as much as we can do to really prepare ourselves and to inform the changes we know

spk_0 we need to make is to rely on the assessment data we've been collecting. So our assessment data from

spk_0 past, when things were different or normal, whatever we want to call the pre-COVID state,

spk_0 to what things we learn from the COVID disruption. And then what do we really need to preserve,

spk_0 lift up, ensure we're going to be able to continue in whatever form or shape our environment is

spk_0 taking in the fall. So I think assessment data are definitely our friend. We need to pull that

spk_0 together and we need to use that information to both communicate the story on campus and with our

spk_0 external publics. I think there's already scrutiny on higher education quality and value.

spk_0 And I'm afraid this pandemic is going to increase the scrutiny on college value.

spk_0 People are going to need to know that they're getting something out of this experience and what

spk_0 specifically that is. I also think that it's going to expose some inequities that are part

spk_0 of our educational experience. So who has access to high-speed internet? Who doesn't have to

spk_0 care for dependence while they're still trying to make their education work for themselves?

spk_0 I think it's really going to expose some built-in inequities both at the student level and at the

spk_0 institution level that we're going to need to really face head-on. So having information about

spk_0 how students performed with the disruption in the spring, who did well, who had difficulty,

spk_0 and then how are you going to accommodate that in the fall? How are you going to address it specifically?

spk_0 I'm really interested in how students in certain majors performed. So knowing that students who

spk_0 are in real, for example, hands-on fields experience more disruption and who seem to be doing well

spk_0 and what measures do you have to examine that information? I think we're going to see a real

spk_0 emphasis on understanding our students' well-being and their sense of belongingness and how

spk_0 they're attached to the campus. So anything we can do to collect information about that.

spk_0 Then the last dimension I can't say enough about is what we can learn from all of the ways that we

spk_0 have to assess students' learning. I know I want to talk a little bit more of that and I hope we'll

spk_0 get to some more specific instances. But the one thing I really want to emphasize is the need for both

spk_0 student affairs administrators and for academic affairs staff to really know what courses

spk_0 gave students more difficulty or challenge so that they can shore up the bolsters for some of

spk_0 those classes and some of those courses or some of those majors to help students be more successful.

spk_0 I think we're really going to have to show that we're all in to help our students be successful

spk_0 and that's really important. So that's those are some of the things that I think we need to really

spk_0 get a pretty solid fix on in terms of our preparation. Thank you for that because as you were talking,

spk_0 I was thinking for a president artist as a president, what data are you currently using?

spk_0 What data is being supplied to you to really help inform your change management efforts on your

spk_0 campus? Well, great question. And the data that are being provided simply are not going to be

spk_0 enough as we think about what our decision making has to look like going forward. Clearly,

spk_0 rely very heavily on historic enrollment trends and then drilling down in a much more

spk_0 granular way on the specific demographics. We will see differences in student outcomes by virtue

spk_0 of the zip codes they hail from. Part of that is a function of technology. Part of that is a

spk_0 function of level of preparation and some community influences that perhaps we had not been fully

spk_0 aware of when they were living and matriculating on the campuses. Data with regard to student aid

spk_0 sources is critically important. What resources are no longer available to students because of a

spk_0 constrained economy in a post-COVID environment? Those things are going to be critically important

spk_0 for us. As we think about learning outcomes teaching loads, numbers of sections, how many did we

spk_0 offer? How many students chose those particular majors or sections? And then within those majors,

spk_0 courses and sections, not only who performed better as it relates to students, but in whose class?

spk_0 Now, that may be somewhat controversial to think about, but not really. It's completely intuitive.

spk_0 Everyone does not function well in an online environment. And that includes faculty and students

spk_0 depending on your particular learning style, it may be a far greater challenge for you to

spk_0 matriculate in an online space than perhaps it is for someone who might be an auditory learner.

spk_0 Right? A tactile learner might need more direct access to a faculty member, et cetera. So thinking

spk_0 through all of the information points that we have about our learners, knowing our learners will

spk_0 be the key to our success as we move forward. As we think about data around academic

spk_0 interventions, how many students access the counseling center during this departure from the

spk_0 separation from the campus? What kinds of reports were we receiving in terms of displacement,

spk_0 anxiety, time management? What were the nature of those concerns and complaints that really

spk_0 stymied students as they proceeded with trying to complete their semester? What sorts of tutoring

spk_0 options are available and are they really as adaptable as we think they should be for students

spk_0 matriculating in this new normal? Thinking about staffing as I look across the spectrum of the

spk_0 institution, I think most people are very focused on where are we going to find efficiencies?

spk_0 Where can we cut a just downsize? I'm thinking where do I need to invest?

spk_0 I, T staffing, instructional designers and technologists are going to be critically important to

spk_0 us. Additional academic interventions specialists are going to be very important to us again,

spk_0 tutoring resources. Thinking about how to engage students in counseling and psychological services

spk_0 at a distance, which is something we have not had significant need of pre-COVID. Being able to

spk_0 assess the preferences and the participation of students in certain virtual activities,

spk_0 we all work very hard this semester to continue to create a level of community and engagement,

spk_0 recognizing the impact that has on retention and persistence for students. Which things were

spk_0 well received and which things really felt flat? Monitoring all of those things is going to be

spk_0 critically important for us. And then as it relates to communication, how do our students prefer

spk_0 to be communicated with? That's always been an issue for us. They're in a text culture. They prefer

spk_0 social media. They prefer email. They change their phone numbers on a regular basis. And so not only

spk_0 how do they want to be communicated with, but what do they want to hear? I was advised just last

spk_0 week, you have to think about the fact that the president's office is the, quote, sole source of

spk_0 accurate information for the campus. Now, I know that's not necessarily the case in, in, um,

spk_0 technically speaking, but I think messages from this office, how we communicate with our constituents,

spk_0 how we engage students, how we appreciate the sacrifices and the efforts of our faculty and staff

spk_0 during this particular time, how we assure them that we have their safety as our polar star,

spk_0 our critical components. And so we're assessing all of that. How many clicks? How long are people

spk_0 spending on our website? What are they looking for? Where are they going? What services are students

spk_0 accessing? Have they been successful? So many data points beyond just who passed and who failed?

spk_0 And where do they come from and how many are coming? Really, that's just the tip of the iceberg for us.

spk_0 We are going to have to depend on data in an environment that's quite fogging right now.

spk_0 No managing back gut, no intuition, no fear, just facts, just data. That's all we have to rely on

spk_0 in this uncertain time. That is a great tagline right there that you just said. I think also, as I think

spk_0 of, um, dark bonnet and the work that you do as well, what particular data are you relying on

spk_0 and you're watching at this point as it relates to donor alumni expectations. That's another

spk_0 layer of information. Sure. So thank you, Kelly. I find it difficult to look at short term trend data

spk_0 right now. I mean, it's not going to give us, you know, short term stuff is not going to give us

spk_0 a broad view of where we are. So, you know, I kind of go back to to what's tried and true for

spk_0 advancement. And that is keeping individuals in the cycle of engagement. And, uh, you know,

spk_0 that data we can come to understand about where our folks are in the engagement cycle. So have we

spk_0 have we connected with them? Have we actually gotten them to an event? Have we gotten them engaged

spk_0 in giving and those kind of pieces and using the organizational structure to your advantage in

spk_0 that regard where everybody has a piece of that puzzle to get them to the point of making a

spk_0 guess. So using the data we have about where they are in that engagement cycle and where how close

spk_0 they are to that gift is important to us. From a day standpoint, I think that's also something that

spk_0 is relevant to the, to the enrollment and admission side as well. I mean, we get people into the

spk_0 cycle and then move them forward and hopefully get them to, uh, to agree to be a student at our

spk_0 institution. So I think, um, you know, managing through that cycle with data is important to us

spk_0 and knowing where our place is in that cycle is, uh, is absolute importance right now. So in that,

spk_0 and then, uh, you know, working on that relationship, which is challenged, uh, right now in the, in the

spk_0 environment we're in because we aren't able to do that face to face, but we're learning every day

spk_0 about how to engage and involve folks, uh, virtually in the, in the world we're in. So

spk_0 and as we look ahead to the future there, there may be even greater opportunities for data to play

spk_0 that leading role as we've heard already from our panelists. Um, it's going to be very critical in

spk_0 the next few months though that we have a better understanding of what data is critical. Um, so we

spk_0 can better align ourselves to get to those data points, but understand also what investment is

spk_0 needed, um, and making sure people are able to, uh, use the assessment to drive efforts forward.

spk_0 Many people acknowledge that data is a critical role. I think all of us really agree that

spk_0 all forms of data, informal and formal, qualitative, quantitative really helps us to have a better

spk_0 understanding, um, and help to inform the actions that are necessary for operational efficiency and

spk_0 educationally, uh, effectiveness. I want to bring, uh, Dr. Kinsey into this conversation based on

spk_0 her experience and particularly based on, um, her experience in, uh, student affairs, uh, to bring

spk_0 another lens to the table. Um, are there some new, some emerging or even tried and true ways that

spk_0 institutions can measure not only student learning, but also student engagement?

spk_0 Thanks, Kelly. I appreciate the sentiment that, uh, our, our audience has about the importance of

spk_0 assessment. And I certainly think that COVID-19 doesn't change, uh, what and why we measure and

spk_0 what we do. What I think COVID-19 and the change circumstances does is I think it influences our

spk_0 choices. Um, I think it might, here's a positive spin on this, free us from some of the strictures

spk_0 that assessment has, I think, um, I'll just say this done to some campuses where we feel we have to

spk_0 just keep collecting the same information because that's what we've done. Um, I realize I'm part of

spk_0 a national survey project, Nessie, that, that really does try and encourage people to collect continuous

spk_0 data about the same things. That's important, but I think that we have to also imagine what new

spk_0 information we might need in order for us to do well by our students and faculty and staff on a

spk_0 campus. So I hope that this pandemic, um, it's always freezes from some of the strictures we've

spk_0 been under. The other thing I think that we need to be thinking about is to really focus and hone in

spk_0 what faculty, what student affairs administrators, what, what are leaders on campus know is really

spk_0 vital to measure both about student learning and the quality of the student experience. Let's make

spk_0 sure we're at least continuing to assess the things that are most vital. If that's, you know, at

spk_0 McAllister College, for example, they're attention to global learning. If that's a Jesuit institutions

spk_0 focus on ethical development and community-based learning and and service, let's make sure that we're

spk_0 continuing to assess those quality elements of our institution. Um, so that's one thing. I don't think

spk_0 it changes what we do and what we measure, but I think it influences the choices, freezes from

spk_0 strictures, and really invites us to think about what's most meaningful. The other thing I just

spk_0 want to highlight is I think that this pandemic should definitely, um, reinforce the need to collect

spk_0 more real-time data. And I think President Artis already alerted us to all of those real-time

spk_0 data that we have to be better at collecting. I think greater use of learning management, technology

spk_0 definitely makes that possible. All of the student life, uh, organizational systems we've developed

spk_0 on campus as boy and now is the time to tap those and figure out how they can help us do our work

spk_0 more effectively and to know what we're doing well. And then I think we're going to have to attach

spk_0 a little bit more importance to a, uh, student sense of well-being and belongingness and figure out

spk_0 how we're going to measure that on a more regular basis and then act on that information so that our

spk_0 students can be maximally successful. The other invented or kind of new approach that I'm hearing

spk_0 people talk about is the need to document student stories, uh, of a changed learning circumstance.

spk_0 And I think we need to document this and I think there's tremendous creativity for people who

spk_0 want to really, um, demonstrate that and show what changes we're seeing in our students learning

spk_0 experience. So I think there's some creativity here and then finally, I think if we can help

spk_0 faculty and students work together to help students demonstrate and show what they've learned.

spk_0 It may not be, um, you know, it never has been about their performance on an exam or on a final

spk_0 simulation, but to really kind of expose or reveal and elicit what students have learned through

spk_0 some more creative measures. So I hope we can think about all those things during this real period of

spk_0 transition. Thank you so much for that too. I do want to, um, get in like two additional questions

spk_0 based on what I'm hearing and what I'm kind of seeing thus far. And so I want to bring

spk_0 in President Artis, thinking from a strategic planning standpoint, you know, a lot of institutions

spk_0 have asked this question. I've heard it on webinars. I've heard it asked directly to me in

spk_0 regards to what happens now with strategic planning. How do you recommend institutions move

spk_0 forward when it comes to that? How do they kind of throw it out and start over? What are you seeing?

spk_0 I think this one I can answer relatively briefly. Stick to the plan. The strategic plans of our

spk_0 institutions are driven by our missions. Our missions have not changed. Our priorities have not

spk_0 changed. Our methods will have to. Prioritization of those initiatives will be critical. As always,

spk_0 we will have limited resources. We will have a new environment within which to navigate.

spk_0 We can't afford short-term solutions at the expense of long-term strategies. Plans are in place

spk_0 for a purpose. The institution defines its objectives, its priorities in the strategic plan,

spk_0 and while there can be minor modifications, plans are meant to be living, breathing documents that

spk_0 adapt changing circumstances. I think it is a grievous error to abandon well-thought-out plans,

spk_0 well-articulated plans in favor of short-term what I tend to refer to as band-aid solutions.

spk_0 Yes, there has been a seismic shift in the way that we are going to have to achieve our goals.

spk_0 Change the goal. And so I want there to be clarity around

spk_0 this idea of should we cut-bait and throw out everything we have done absolutely not.

spk_0 Because unless you are prepared to change the mission of your institution, your strategic plan

spk_0 ought to be driven by that mission. For example, if we are looking at our recruitment strategies,

spk_0 one of the initiatives for Benedict College was to diversify. It is course. It is student

spk_0 that means geographic diversity, that means international diversity, that means racial diversity,

spk_0 it means a whole host of things. The strategies we now will have to employ to achieve that goal

spk_0 will look different. So the tactics under those objectives in the strategic plan will look different.

spk_0 We are not going to be sending people to Nigeria to recruit, right? We are not going to be

spk_0 flying to California to attend the Community College Transfer Affairs. What we will do, however,

spk_0 is double down on some of our digital recruiting opportunities, some of our virtual

spk_0 and welcome weeks and things of that sort that really introduce our campus to our potential

spk_0 students. And so the goal post hasn't moved. We are going to have to define a different set of

spk_0 plays that don't work anymore, right? We are going to play a three-two offense instead of a,

spk_0 I mean, we are just going to have to change the strategy. I won't get into football

spk_0 analogies, but we are going to have to change. The plan is still to win. The plan is still to score.

spk_0 However, you define that. I think, let me bring in Dr. Bonnet and Dr. Dawkins for this last

spk_0 particular question, because I think it is a great way for thinking about your strategic plan

spk_0 and then thinking particularly about your strategy. What do you now think in regards to how we

spk_0 engage stakeholders? Both of you work with various different types of stakeholders. We love to

spk_0 get quick 30 seconds from you in regards to how do you now engage them? Sure. I think the most

spk_0 important piece for me is figuring out who are the stakeholders. So what does the stakeholder

spk_0 look like? Is it folks who are interested in what's going on at your organization or

spk_0 than folks that are affected by the changes that are? Making sure that your engaging does

spk_0 affect it first. I think in complex organizations like most of us are, there are three responsibilities

spk_0 to administrative, that's the enable. So administration is needed for the governance and providing

spk_0 a catalyst for the change or the understanding of the change, but by adapting to that change and

spk_0 enabling the opportunity for leadership to emerge in that change, I think we offer an opportunity

spk_0 for a broader view of our options for success. So engaging the stakeholders who are affected by

spk_0 the change and giving them the opportunity to step into the decision making process in a way that's

spk_0 that they feel like they're they're giving the opportunity to kind of step into something that

spk_0 they wouldn't have otherwise. I think that's our opportunity. I would also say that and for the

spk_0 second time, I'm abbreviated what I plan to say. All institutional constituents and stakeholders

spk_0 are very important as we pivot the change management strategy as we engage in real-time

spk_0 strategic changes as campus labs promote. And two groups we have not talked about enough and

spk_0 the board members and our institutions how we engage them during this pandemic. I've worked at

spk_0 five as historically black colleges served as provost or president acting, enter and or president

spk_0 and them also a member of the board of trustees and guard of college. And so in that regard

spk_0 of the board members, they become one of the top stakeholders that we need to engage as we plan

spk_0 for the new normal, the new way that we will operate going forward. They will need to play an

spk_0 important role. They have a fiduciary responsibility, financial responsibility to ensure that the

spk_0 institutions that ensure that institutions remain stable. They would need to play a more

spk_0 important role in helping with fundraising, particularly with fundraising campaigns, modified

spk_0 for campaigns and look at realistic goals. And then approve new sound policies coming out of

spk_0 the pandemic as we try to implement the COVID guidelines. And then above all to support the

spk_0 current leadership team, the administrators, the president and the members of the leadership team.

spk_0 And then let me just end by talking about the faculty, the importance of the faculty.

spk_0 Sometimes all with all the webinars have been on lately, we have not heard enough about the

spk_0 role of the faculty. We have to survey conduct focus groups in me with the faculty to figure out

spk_0 what the how has the pandemic impacted them personally and in the classroom and play a role in

spk_0 this summer in terms of providing appropriate training to faculty so that they can make the shift

spk_0 in their classes for the fall. So and we haven't had a chance to look at also among the faculty

spk_0 to look at academic programs to what is the extent do we need to market new programs, cut or add or

spk_0 redesign existing programs and then look at course proliferation, especially as we look at

spk_0 courses in which courses that we need to redesign and cut as well. So those are some of the things

spk_0 that the stakeholders have to engage in. And overall all constituent groups are in campus,

spk_0 student affairs, academic affairs, institution effectiveness, all of those groups are very important as we

spk_0 shift to the new normal. Thank you to our guests for today's episode, President Artis,

spk_0 Dr. Bonnet, Dr. Kinsey and Dr. Dawkins for lending their voices and sharing such an authentic

spk_0 perspective with all of us. Listeners, if you're interested in learning more about change

spk_0 management and using data effectively, check out our blog series on campusintelligence.com,

spk_0 which includes a change management self-assessment and more resources to help you drive your institutions

spk_0 forward.

Managing Change During Uncertainty

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