CHALLENGE I: Finances
I.A. Responses to concerns about an Active Alumni Association:
Miller College has a very active Alumni Association that began in 2007. The organization has elected officers, developed bylaws, a mission statement and organized several successful fundraising events on behalf of the College. The Alumni Association has been very supportive of the College. Alumni volunteers are active in recruitment activities, such as the Back to School Bash held on campus each fall and spring semester; marketing projects, for example selling college branded items such as window clings, license plates and sweatshirts; and has led several fundraising projects for scholarships such as, The Miller College Alumni Association Disc Golf Outing; Annual Campaign Drive; and a 5K Pumpkin Prance Run/Walk and Howl-o-ween Pet Parade in downtown Battle Creek. Proceeds from this event supported the Alumni Scholarship Fund and 30% of the profits were donated to the Calhoun County Animal Center in Battle Creek.
Launch of the Alumni Association
In May of 2007, Miller College held its first graduation ceremony at the Binda Theatre on the campus of Kellogg Community College. The ten graduates represented the College as its first group of alumni members.
They were eager to break ground again while helping to grow and develop the alumni association and become intimately involved with the Miller College "family." The Alumni Association and The Miller College Student Association collaborate on special events for the benefit of the College and student scholarships. Both groups have been fortunate to have dynamic leadership each academic year as listed below:
Alumni Executive Committee
|
Position: |
2011-2012 |
2010-2011 |
2009-2010 |
2008-2009 |
|
Faculty Advisor |
Jenny Andrews |
Jenny Andrews |
Jenny Andrews |
Jenny Andrews |
|
President |
Karen Knox |
Jenny Andrews |
Jenny Andrews |
Michelle McBride |
|
Vice President |
Brenton Riegel |
Melissa Ehart |
Melissa Ehart |
Melissa Ehart |
|
Treasurer |
Jenny Andrews |
Karen Knox |
Jenny Andrews |
Jenny Andrews |
|
Secretary |
Martha Reyff |
Maureen Reed |
Maureen Reed |
Jessica Scott |
|
Trustee |
Jennifer Stegenga |
Tom Rose |
Tom Rose |
Tom Rose |
|
Trustee |
John Morrell |
|||
|
Trustee |
Ashley Bailey |
|||
Miller College Student Association
|
Position: |
2011-2012 |
2010-2011 |
2009-2010 |
2008-2009 |
2007-2008 |
2006-2007 |
|
Faculty Advisors
|
Jenny Andrews
Jazmine Arms |
Jenny Andrews
Jazmine Arms
|
Jenny Andrews
Susan Hendrickson,
Kim Cvitkovic |
Susan Hendrickson
Kim Cvitkovic |
Susan Hendrickson
Kim Cvitkovic |
Susan Hendrickson
Kim Cvitkovic
Sue Hendricksma |
|
President |
Lindsey Riegel |
Rita Williams |
Michelle Osborn |
Sarah Gordier |
Carla Boomershine |
Jessica Opalewski
|
|
Vice President |
Anthony Pennock |
Molly O”Rourke |
Jennifer Stegenga |
Kelli Woods |
Heather Meyer |
Brian Waterman |
|
Treasurer |
Rosie Simmons |
Kali Sparks |
Jessica Judd |
Cory Wielgos |
Marci Chittenden |
Kelly Leatherman |
|
Secretary |
Jennifer Postma |
Kevin Hoyt |
Ashley Bailey |
Jennifer White |
Trisha Fires |
Hannah Williams |
I.B. Retention of Students
The process of Recruitment, Admission and Retention of Students is monitored by the Enrollment, Management and Retention Committee. The committee has outlined new initiatives to recruit, admit, and retain outstanding students consistent with the College Strategic Plan (Revised Fall 2012). Specific Initiatives to accomplish the goals and objectives for recruitment, admission, and retention are outlined in the Student Services section of the Miller College Strategic Plan including collecting data on non-returning students and keeping a database as to why individuals chose not to return.
Evidence:
Recruitment:
The Director of Enrollment Management is responsible for recruiting efforts. Miller College has been consistently present at education fairs sponsored by the area community colleges and communities at large. This includes events at Jackson Community College, Glen Oaks Community College, Southwestern Michigan College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) and Kellogg Community College (KCC). Community sponsored events included those in Hastings, Coldwater, and Battle Creek, Michigan.
Recruitment Goals were set at 15% increase each semester as outlined in the Strategic Plan (2010), and implementation of this plan continues. In 2012, a now more realistic recruitment goal reflects a 5% increase each semester (See Demographic Data Report for semester enrollment data).
The Admissions Staff does ongoing evaluations of success in meeting recruitment goals, and uses this data to plan next steps for recruiting a diverse student population (See Demographic data for The Robert B. Miller College 2005 summer - 2012 summer). Currently, efforts are being made to recruit a more diverse student body. Recruitment is being done in communities and junior colleges with a high population of minority groups. A scholarship has been initiated to encourage a more diverse group of student learners:
Evidence:
Retention:
The Enrollment Management and Retention Committee meets to review the College data as it relates to student retention, review research, strengths and weakness of the retention process.
Enrollment Management and Retention Committee Members include:
Chad Danielson, Director of Enrollment Management and Committee Chair
Jenny Andrews, Director of Institutional Advancement
Jazmine Arms, Administrative Assistant to Student Services
Kim Cvitkovic, Dean of Student Services and Financial Aid
Toni McMasters, Kellogg Community College Nursing Department
Jackie Washburn, Registrar and Teacher Certification Officer
Arlene Lents, Field Placement Coordinator
Harry Adamson, Dean of the School of Business
Jennifer Stegenga, Director of Campus Services
The Enrollment Management and Retention Committee reports the following progress toward meeting the goal of 90% persistence rate:
Persistence Report as of September 19, 2012
|
2010 FALL |
2011 SPRING |
2011 SUMMER |
2011 FALL |
2012 SPRING |
2012 SUMMER |
2012 FALL |
|
|
Number of Students Enrolled |
355 |
355 |
171 |
367 |
360 |
188 |
367 |
|
Number of Graduates Returning |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Continuing Students Enrolled in Previous Semester |
112 |
263 |
130 |
243 |
283 |
144 |
277 |
|
New Students |
107 |
64 |
41 |
109 |
77 |
44 |
90 |
|
Enrolled in semesters prior to Previous |
136 |
26 |
15 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Students Not Attending going to KCC |
6 |
4 |
38 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Students Not Attending who Graduated |
6 |
19 |
35 |
6 |
28 |
31 |
26 |
|
Students Not Attending Non-Degree |
6 |
6 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
|
|
Financial Aid Suspension |
1 |
3 |
4 |
22 |
|||
|
Academic Suspension |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
||
|
% Returning (eligible) |
89% |
41% |
94% |
89% |
49% |
91% |
*Data is based on Census Data
(Day after last day to withdraw with 100% refund)
I.C. Assessment Data: (See Criterion 4 for response)
Miller College actively engages in assessment of student learning in accordance with the Miller College Assessment Plan. Data is used for programmatic improvement. The Assessment Coordinators and the Assessment Committee oversee the Assessment Plan and ensure that assessment results are considered for programmatic improvement. Under the direction of Theresa Dawson, Dean of Nursing, and Paula McPhee, Education Faculty, the Assessment Committee meets monthly.
Assessment Committee Members include:
|
Theresa Dawson, Dean of the School of Nursing, Co-Chair |
Paula McPhee, Co-Chair |
|
Harry Adamson, Dean of the School of Business |
Kim Cvitkovic, Dean of Student Services and Financial Aid |
|
Arlene Lents, Field Placement Coordinator |
Sean Kottke, Dean of the School of Education and Arts and Sciences |
|
Jacqueline Washburn, Registrar and Teacher Certification Officer |
|
This is a very consistent committee that is an essential part of the College assessment strategy. It maintains minutes of each meeting, posts a yearly calendar, tracks and analyzes data for General Studies (MAPP Test), program assessments and Status Reports (School of Education, School of Business, School of Nursing, School of Arts and Sciences), and General Institutional progress. All data is housed on the College server and in data note-books in the Assessment Office. Annually, the Deans for each program of study submit a Status Report to the Assessment Committee and seek comments, recommendations and final approval from the Committee (Minutes from the Assessment Committee). Recommendations for improvement are sent on to the Academic Affairs Committee and/or President’s Council as deemed appropriate.
As noted in the Self-Study Review Criterion 4.A.1 Miller College maintains a practice of regular program reviews.
In line with the philosophy of continuous improvement, Miller College evaluates the performance of each area of operations. Assessment plans have been developed and implemented for each of the degree programs. These plans and the information gathered from their implementation are reviewed annually for continuous improvement purposes. The assessment process aids the College in gathering evidence that can show that graduates are prepared for their professional careers and for service to the community. The assessment process also yields data that can assist with program improvement.
The Assessment Committee and Academic Affairs take a leading role in program improvement. The Assessment Committee is comprised of the Deans of each School, the Vice President, and representatives from the faculty and Student Services. The Committee regularly reviews the effectiveness of each program by analyzing data from the Status Report and the assessment plan for each School. Status reports are shared during Academic Affairs meetings, Advisory Board meetings and with the Miller College Board of Trustees.
The Assessment Committee members are part of Academic Affairs guaranteeing congruence in reporting the results of assessment administration, data evaluation discussions and the recommendations for and issues associated with continuous program improvement.
Guidance for program/course development and review of each program of study:
Initially, the programs of study and courses were developed and monitored using Experts in Residence. Now, each of the Schools has a Program Advisory Committee- Arts and Sciences, Business, Nursing, and Education. They utilize faculty and area leaders from organizations and businesses to develop the programs for Miller College. Program Advisory Committees were developed to serve as a guide for those who were charged with the responsibility of developing and maintaining certain educational programs. Each committee, as a source of specialized information, assists educators in developing and maintaining programs in a viable and relevant manner. It provides the link between business, health, industry and education to help Miller College keep pace with the changing manpower requirements and job demands.
The Program Advisory Committees bring together a wide variety of professional women and men from Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Hastings, Coldwater, Marshall, Athens, Grand Rapids and Plainwell. The Program Advisory Committee members were chosen based on professional experience and educational credentials as matched to the programs currently offered at Miller College.
Miller College realizes that it cannot exist in a vacuum apart from the community it serves. It must be closely related to its community and offer curricula which will fulfill the needs of the educational, health, business, and industrial communities. To do otherwise is not only a disservice to students, but also an abandonment of the College’s philosophy. Miller College looks to advisory committees as well as representatives from educational institutions, business, and industry for assistance in providing programs that are attuned to contemporary needs and designed to serve their respective communities’ needs. Students and alumni are, by design, engaged with the College by serving on numerous standing committees of the College. This plan of shared governance serves as evidence of Miller College’s commitment to engaging its constituents in the recruitment and assessment process directly or indirectly.
Evidence:
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