1.D.3 The institution engages with its identified external constituencies and communities of interest and responds to their needs as its mission and capacity allow.
As a maturing institution, Miller College has developed a curriculum that specifically addresses needs identified by area employers. Additionally, leadership development, critical thinking skills, cultural competence and the ability to utilize technology were identified needs of the students the College serves. These characteristics are included as a part of the Miller College Mission Statement and are reflected in all course development (See WIDS® Template for Course Development (176 KB, PDF)).
Communication with the seven constituencies is accomplished by a variety of methods. For example, Business, Education, Arts and Sciences and Nursing each have a Program Advisory Committee composed of practitioners in the field. In these regularly scheduled Program Advisory Committee meetings, there is review and assessment of academic curricula, assurance that provision of educational opportunities are those most desired by the community, and discussion as to how to best prepare students to be employable at levels acceptable to them. Needs identified include graduates ability to be well prepared in writing, oral presentation, leadership development, critical thinking and cultural competency. Regular communication is maintained between meetings through the periodic mailings of updates on College activities and progress.
Specifically, in order to gather information on how successful Miller College is at meeting constituency needs and expectations, surveys and interviews were conducted with each of the Miller College constituents. These included educators, the health care community, representatives of business and industry, higher education institutions, faculty/staff, foundation boards, and 86% of the students enrolled in Fall 2011 (See Survey).
Constituency #1: The Students and Miller College Alumni
The original focus set forth by the founders and area constituencies was to meet the needs of the non-traditional student and remains intact today. The average age of Miller College students is 35 (See [FILE ' 266']Student Demographics[/FILE]).
As evidenced by 2011 survey results, 92% of our students/alumni agreed that Miller College supported them in achieving their personal, professional and educational goals. Eighty eight percent of this group felt that communication with Miller College was effective in meeting their needs. When asked what ways Miller College could play a stronger role in helping them achieve their educational goals and what they felt we did well, some of the responses and proposed changes by the College to directly address these were:
|
Comments from survey |
Responsiveness from Miller College |
|
Would like to see an increased number of on line offerings of courses |
-More hybrid courses included in fall 2011 -Plan for on line program for General Studies degree beginning in Fall 2013 |
|
Would like to see Master’s offerings at Miller College
|
-MSN program being developed for fall Possible 2013 implementation -Collaboration with Davenport University for Master’s in Business Administration opportunities beginning fall 2012 |
|
Would like an increase in summer semester classes offerings |
-Instituted a two semester summer schedule beginning in summer 2011. |
|
Felt they were prepared well for graduate level coursework. |
|
|
Everyone at the College is approachable and knowledgeable. |
|
|
Would like to see increased hours for career center. |
Plans for increasing hours are being discussed. |
|
Would like to see an increase in options for payment plans. |
Exploring additional payment options. |
|
Would like to see an increase in early morning courses and weekend offerings. |
-Beginning in summer 2011, two nursing courses were offered at 8am.
|
|
Need more tutoring resources as it relates to APA writing style. |
-Implemented 20 hr./week tutor to begin in spring 2012. |
|
Would like to see a different way of evaluation of experiential learning. |
Being looked at for the future |
|
Would suggest that LBAR 300 be required as the first course that every student takes. |
This is encouraged, but due to many students work schedules, this does not always work. |
|
Improve website |
Completed spring 2012 |
|
Enjoy the small class sizes |
|
|
Advisors offer positive support |
|
|
Increase the hours of food service |
Flexible service has been provided by catering service |
|
Improve financial statements to include financial aid disbursement |
Completed fall 2011. |
|
Very student friendly |
|
|
Increase professional development opportunities |
-Being looked at for the future for the School of Nursing. -School of Education offers SBCEUs for current Teachers in the field. |
|
Adjust service learning hours to be consistent between degrees (BAS vs. BS) |
|
|
Provide advance notice of student orientation |
-Have started doing some components of orientation in LBAR 300. -Investigating some web-based orientation tutorials |
When asked what volunteer hours they had completed, they included (not exhaustive):Waverly Band Boosters Executive Board
When asked how they use the resources at the campus, the responses included Library Services, Blackboard, computer labs, and the Learning Resource Center at KCC.
Constituency #2: K-12 Education
As an overall result of Miller College’s efforts to meet the needs of its educational constituencies, the College has established partnerships with the schools in local districts and the Binda Dyslexia Center. These partner districts and entities provide K-12 classroom observation and internship experience for the Teacher Education students at Miller College. A dedicated education faculty member personally designs and follows all Education students in the internship environments (See Field Placement Report Forms signed by Principals and/or Superintendents or a list of the schools with interns).
In addition to offering Teacher Education programs for those preparing to become teachers, Miller College meets the continuing education needs of those educators who possess Michigan Teaching Certificates with professional development course work. Miller College is also approved by the Michigan Department of Education to offer SBCEU’s through the College.
As a part of the annual reporting requirements for the Michigan Department of Education as a teacher preparation institution, Miller College is required to survey the principals of the schools in which our graduates work. The feedback from this survey has been very positive and supportive (See Principal Feedback Report).
As a member of the Battle Creek Area Educators Task Force, Miller College is able to collaborate with leaders of many educational entities in the community. The Vice President is the Miller College designated member on the Task Force and meets monthly with this organization (See Program advisory minutes).
Constituency #3: Health Care Community
As an overall result of Miller College efforts to meet its constituencies’ needs, the College has established partnerships with fourteen Michigan health care institutions: Bronson/Battle Creek, Battle Creek Veterans Medical Center, Family Health Center of Battle Creek, Bronson Healthcare Group in Kalamazoo, Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, LifeSpan of Battle Creek, Southwestern Michigan Rehabilitation Center, Sturgis Hospital, The Oakes, Region 3b Area Agency on Aging and Pennock Hospital in Hastings.
The enrollment for the School of Nursing has increased from 34 at its inception in the spring of 2007 to 155 in the fall semester of 2011. This has been in part due to Miller College’s identification of the need for area hospitals to increase their percentages of BSN prepared nurses in order to obtain Magnet designation for their institutions as well as the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations for the future of nursing to increase the amount of BSN prepared nurses to 80 percent by the year 2020. By offering a local educational program that is flexible in nature, some area hospitals have been successful in increasing their percentage of BSN prepared nurses and in reaching their goal of Magnet status.
When the Institute of Medicines Report on The Future of Nursing was released in 2010, the School of Nursing at Miller College made sure that the program provided adequate education in preparation for graduate nursing study (See IOM Report). To date, there have been 77 BSN graduates from the Miller College BSN Completion program.
In 2008, the School of Nursing creatively developed the Nurse Applicant program. It was identified that many students at local Community Colleges were waiting for acceptance into nursing programs, with no general education courses left for them to pursue. Miller College School of Nursing opened the general education courses of the BSN program to these students so they may be taking courses towards their future undergraduate degree. At the time they are accepted into the Associate Degree nursing program, they may step out of Miller College coursework and return to finish with the Nursing major courses upon their completion of their program and obtaining their license. Collaboration with Community Colleges has been very helpful in making this transition seamless.
In the spring of 2011, the School of Nursing received accreditation by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This prestigious designation was made possible by the input and teamwork of many of the healthcare constituents we serve through surveys, Program Advisory Committee support and personal interviews by the survey team.
As the Nursing program continued to grow, resources have been made available to assist in meeting faculty needs. In 2009, one part-time faculty member was added to the team of adjuncts and Dean to allow for increased instructional offerings. In 2010, a second part-time faculty member was hired to meet the growing demand of student enrollment. Recently, fall 2011, one part-time position was increased to full time faculty status. This additional resource allocation allows for the School of Nursing to continue meeting the educational needs of our healthcare partners.
At this time, the School of Nursing is again attempting to meet an area need for the Nursing profession. A recent survey was sent to all nursing students and alumni regarding the need for a local MSN program at Miller College. The results have been resoundingly positive. The Program Advisory Committee for the Nursing Program offered their support and recommendations for MSN offerings at Miller College. This is currently being developed for consideration for implementation in fall 2013 (See MSN survey results, Advisory Committee minutes from spring 2011).
Recent survey results received from the Nursing Program Advisory Committee indicate that there is still a strong sense of commitment to the Mission by the School of Nursing and meeting the healthcare needs of the future. Their only suggestion at this time was to examine potentially offering coursework in the form of continuing education and training for nurses with a focus in community based health providers and leaders.
As promised, tuition costs and flexibility of class scheduling have been developed to support the non-traditional nursing student. For instance, an increased offering of courses in the hybrid method are being offered to meet the needs of the working nurse. Courses were also offered at different times than originally designed as a result of student feedback who work night shifts (offering 8am-10:30am courses rather than starting at 9am and finishing at 11:30am). It was also stated that the articulation agreement between KCC and Miller College has been well supported; offering great options for associate degree prepared Registered Nurses to continue their education (See Nursing Program Advisory Committee Minutes and Survey Results from the Nursing Program Advisory Committee).
In addition, program integration is now aided by the Agreement between Miller College and KCC which results in the Dean of the Miller College School of Nursing also serving as Director of Nursing Education for KCC and her Assistant Director assisting Miller College when the Dean of the Miller College School of Nursing deems appropriate (See Administrative Services and Integration Agreement for Nursing between Miller College and KCC).
Constituency #4: Business and Industry
The business community has remained highly involved in course recommendations and review. The President of Miller College takes personal responsibility for meeting at least annually with small groups of key business and industry leaders. Information gained in these meetings is compiled and brought back to the College where it is shared with the faculty and staff in the College Forums.
In response to the inquiry from the Business community regarding a potential MBA program, Miller College collaborated with Davenport University to offer our graduates an opportunity to complete their master’s degree in business at a reduced cost through an agreement with this local institution.
In order to enrich the Business student’s education while offering opportunities for employment, the Dean of the School of Business established internships with local businesses. This has led to numerous internships that have assisted students to gain successful employment. This collaborative effort has strengthened the relationship between Miller College and the business community. This wonderful mentoring opportunity only strengthens the relationship with our business community.
Constituency #5: Institutions of Higher Education
As a senior college, Miller College serves many groups of students. The College serves, for instance, students matriculating from area community colleges. Articulation agreements have been established with Davenport University, Glen Oaks Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Jackson Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Lansing Community College, Mid- Michigan Community College, Montcalm Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Muskegon Community College, Southwestern Michigan Community College, and Kellogg Community College. A formal contract with Kellogg Community College exists, whereby a variety of services are provided to Miller College in the same manner as for Kellogg Community College (See contract/agreements as exhibits. Miller College/Kellogg Community College Contract).
The relationship with each of the colleges varies, depending upon the interests at each community college. As an example, Miller College is on the campus of Kellogg Community College, so the interaction between the colleges is daily and significant in terms of student services, admissions, information/technology services and financial aid. Staff members at both colleges communicate regularly on a formal and informal basis as needed The Director of Enrollment Management attends the Southwest Area Higher Education Network (SWAHEN) meeting to collaborate with other colleges regarding student recruitment. Meetings are held between admissions and advising staff at each institution. Changes in academic programs at each institution are shared at periodic meetings. Miller College is now offering courses at Kellogg Community College satellite locations in Hastings (The Fehsenfeld Center), and Burnham Brook. (See meeting minutes from KCC/MC workgroup, contracts).
Constituency #6: Founders, Area Residents, and Non-profit Organizations
Miller College is owned by a nonprofit organization, the Miller Foundation. Three major local organizations were brought together in the implementation stages of Miller College: The Miller Foundation, The Binda Foundation and Kellogg Community College.
Key members of the Miller College staff and Board trustees serve on the boards of these founding organizations.
In accordance with the Miller College Mission, all students, faculty, and staff serve the community in various volunteer roles. These hours of community service connect Miller College students, faculty and staff with the community in which they reside, as well as fulfill the Miller College mission to its constituencies. Some students are board members for non-profit organizations, providing leadership and engaging in informed decision making.
Constituency # 7: Faculty and Staff
When surveyed, the faculty and staff felt very strongly that Miller College provided support for achieving personal, professional and educational goals. They also felt as if communication is effective in achieving the Mission set forth for the institution. Their assessment of the resources available at Miller College was positive in that there are adequate and up to date technology services and computers available. One area that was suggested for improvement by the faculty was to offer and post more professional development opportunities in the future.
Evidence:
Designed and created by DDM Marketing & Communications.