Student Retention to Graduation as a “Wicked Problem” – The “FEED”

Initiative as the Birth of a Transdisciplinary Project

D. Kent Johnson, PhD J. Patrick Moynahan, Vice Provost

University Programs

First, a PSA

Legislative Perspective: Degree Completion Unfunded Mandate

HE Perspective: Complete Quality Degrees

Student Perspective: Collect Enough Badges

Employer Perspective: 21st Century Learners

New Media Consortium 2013 Future Education Summit extracted Jan 25, 2014 http://www.nmc.org/news/communique-2013-future-education-summit

A Quick Introduction to: The FEED Initiative

• Student driven • Co-Curricular (Out of Class Action Research) • Partnership (Academic and Student Affairs)

That Engages NKU Student Organizations in: • Critically examining the “Wicked Problem” of

retention to graduation at NKU

FEED Defined In Context of NKU’s QEP Select Student Teams Will:

• Frame an investigation around identifying specific barriers to completion on our campus from a “student perspective”

• Evaluate commonly held campus perceptions of why students do not complete degrees

• Examine evidence to develop arguments on how the likelihood students graduate might be improved

• Develop a presentation that explores implications of their findings to shape potential campus actions to improve student retention and graduation rates.

FEED in Context of NKU’s Strategic Plan

• Strengthen critical thinking, communication, and team work skills across the disciplines and through co-curricular programs.

• Develop and expand transdisciplinary programs, courses and research.

• Expand applied and experiential learning opportunities across the curriculum and through transdisciplinary programs.

- 7 In Context of Kentucky Regional Universities

School Regional Ranking

Graduation Rate

US News Projected Graduation Rate

Graduation Performance Over (+) Under (-)

NKU 77 37 44 -7

WKU 30 50 45 +5

Morehead 59 43 43 0

EKU 55 38 39 -1

Murray 25 54 56 -2

Strategic Plans, Strategic Action and Creative Tension

Enroll more students to increase educational attainment levels

FEED and Educational Attainment (A spark might ignite a flame)

• Enroll more students to increase educational attainment levels.

• Enrolling more students highlights our ethical responsibility to ensure that increasing percentages of students who start at NKU complete a degree.

• “FEED” provides one framework in the context of a “transdisciplinary” effort to Fuel the Flame by increasing the likelihood NKU Students complete high quality degrees for 21st Century Success.