Symposium provides insight into issues impacting higher education

Stating that the call for accountability in higher education has never been louder, Vice Provost of Student Affairs John Smeaton opened the division’s second annual assessment symposium in early December. The half-day event, which drew attendees from across the university and the local community, provided an overview of issues impacting the current and future crop of students, and detailed Lehigh’s response and its measurements of effectiveness.

In his brief remarks, Smeaton explained the need for evidence-based decision-making in an increasingly complex higher ed climate before turning the podium over to organizer Jess Manno, director of assessment, student life curriculum and staff development. Manno introduced the attendees to the concept of PechaKucha, the Japanese term used to describe the process of presenting distilled information in a timely and digestible format.

Presenters included:

• Lindsay Lebresco, director of digital and brand marketing, who provided an overview of social media preferences of Millennials and Gen Z (future students);
• Alexis Martins ’17, a political science major and member of the women’s basketball team, who spoke about her personal evolution and development as a leader as a result of her experience with the athletics division’s leadership program;
• Christine Gravelle,  assistant dean and director of Student Leadership Development, and mechanical engineering major Jack Woods ’17, who addressed the “ripple effect” of leading with integrity and inspiring action; and
• Ashley Lemmons, assistant dean and director of Residence Life, and Courtney Stephens, associate director of Residence Life, who reviewed living options for students and the future expansion of residence life programs.

The mini-sessions were followed by programming options that included an overview of the “Work Hard, Play Smart” program aimed at reducing harms associated with alcohol abuse, community service partnerships; study abroad experiences, intimacy issues, hazing culture, faculty-student engagement, the Lehigh After Dark program, sexual consent, leadership, and retention. In addition to Student Affairs staffers, presenters also included undergrad and grad students, faculty and community partners.

Poster sessions provided detailed assessment data on the effectiveness of Lehigh programs aimed at addressing student health, learning disabilities, intentional learning through engagement, student orientation, student athlete performance, and Lehigh’s residential studying and tutoring programs.

Organizers were pleased with both the wide range of attendees and their direct and enthusiastic engagement.

“The level of interest from faculty and staff across campus was very encouraging,” Manno said. “Even more exciting was to hear the thoughtful questions they asked throughout the morning and the deep conversation they were willing to dive into to better understand our students.  I was extremely happy to have colleagues from Moravian, like Greg Meyer, the director of student development there and a Lehigh alum, participate as well. 

Overall, Manno added, the symposium and similar events “are true testaments to value that Lehigh Student Affairs professionals place on collaboration and show our commitment to student success.”

At the program’s conclusion, Meyer was eager to share his impressions.

“I found many of the presentations to be thought-provoking for my own work but more importantly, I appreciated that the event represented a clear culture of assessment that has been developed at Lehigh,” he said. “Often staff recognize the importance of assessment in our work but are befuddled by the language, necessary skills, and time needed to carry it out. What I observed today was a community clearly wanting to do assessment well and, in so many ways, already doing so. I am excited to share what I learned and observed on my own campus.

For Jenn Swann, professor of biological sciences, the symposium provided a helpful overview of resources available to faculty and of ways to collaborate with Student Affairs staff in addressing student issues.

“We work primarily with the freshman population, so it’s good to know what resources are out there when they come in and as they progress, so we know how to steer them and what to do next,” said Swann, who has gained insight into student issues such as alcohol abuse through her close work with Dean of Students Sharon Basso.

Swann heads up the newly created Center for Advising within the College of Arts and Sciences—which contributes to student success by empowering students to engage in thoughtful educational planning—with Susan Ellis, program director for the center. Said Ellis: “We work with the student population every day, so it’s extremely helpful to know that we’re working toward common goals and looking for ways to work together.”

Smeaton characterized the symposium as a “landmark event” that brought colleagues, both faculty and administrators, from across campus together to learn about students and the resources available to them.

“I think the presentations demonstrated that our commitment to fostering a rich learning environment beyond the classroom is guided by theory and data and, more importantly, is making a positive difference in the growth and development of our students,” he said.

To read tweets on the symposium, go here.