Strategic Priority: Provide an Outstanding Student Experience
Initiative #1: Expand Student Experiences
Meeting the needs of new and current students at Detroit Mercy (including first-year, transfer, commuter and graduate students) through;
- Enhancements to Student Success Center services and student advising;
- Expansion of practical experiences for students through internships/externships;
- Ensuring high impact experiences for all undergraduate students; and
- Increases of student engagement and inclusion in University decision-making processes.
Example Action Plans:
- Comprehensively evaluate the current state of affairs with regard to: 1) Student Success Center services and advising; 2) internships/externships; 3) high-impact practices; and 4) student engagement/inclusion in University decision-making processes.
- Implement evaluation methods such as: inventory of current efforts, student surveys or focus groups and an examination of current academic literature on best practices.
- Comprehensively evaluate and identify specific goals for each component of this initiative and benchmark each outcome.
Definition of Success:
- Measurable increases in: 1) retention; 2) academic performance; 3) student engagement; and 4) student satisfaction. Please note existing student climate survey and other existing forms of data collection may be helpful in measuring student engagement and student satisfaction; Year One will be important for defining the benchmark outcomes.
Key Metrics Influenced:
- Retention
- High Impact Practices
Initiative #2: Foster a Sense of Belonging for All
Incorporate equity as an institutional priority as related to students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni.
Increase the number and quality of student spaces, including study spaces and spaces for groups and student socializing.
Example Action Plans:
- Establish and identify initiatives to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni from historically marginalized backgrounds, with a focus on increasing retention.
- Develop a plan for monitoring retention throughout the implementation of the initiatives.
- Use results of recent student surveys and engage students to gather input regarding space identification and enhancements for studying, student activities and socialization opportunities.
Definition of Success:
- Increased retention of students from historically marginalized backgrounds.
- Increased retention of faculty, staff and administrators from historically marginalized backgrounds.
Key Metrics Influenced:
- Well-being
- Retention
Initiative #3: Support Student Well-being
Assess current mental health support services on all campuses and address necessary changes.
Example Action Plans
- Identify established best practices, including student to counselor ratios, for promoting student mental health.
- Develop a plan for implementing best practices, including an increased number of front-line counselors.
- Assess and report on current student mental health challenges.
- Identify and strive to address the unique mental well-being needs of undergraduate, graduate and professional students on different campuses.
Definition of Success:
- Increased number of students accessing campus mental health services (across campuses).
Key Metrics Influenced:
- Well-being
- Retention
