Future Forward
Exemplars
Brita L. Williams
Concordia University -
Portland
Future
Forward Exemplars
For institutions of higher
education to survive the increasing costs of operation and the forward-thinking
ideas brought by the technological revolution,
they must be prepared to innovate and embrace the future (Christensen
& Eyring, 2011). Several institutions across the country, both private
non-profit and public have been moving to position themselves for future
generations and society’s needs.
Southern
New Hampshire University
History of Innovation
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is
well-positioned for the future because that was their mission when they opened
in 1932 as a business school to prepare individuals for bookkeeping,
accounting, and secretarial work. Their goal was to help people find jobs when
jobs were scarce. The founder, Harry Alfred Benjamin Shapiro, “believed
passionately in the value of knowing the ‘why’ … and not just the ‘how’” (SNHU
History, n.d., para. 2). They developed a flexible enrollment format with
weekly enrollment opportunities including both day and evening classes. The
University offered programs for active duty servicemen and veterans to support
and develop job skills, including creating programs located on military bases.
Prepared for Today’s Students
Today, the University offers 200 online degree and
certificate programs, more than any other institution in the country. Many of
the online programs are offered in lieu of on-campus
offerings and at least half of them are offered to both traditional and
non-traditional students.
Unique to SNHU’s online programs are the student
services they offer. In addition to academic advising, the institution offers
an online writing center and tutoring services 24/7 (SNHU Online, n.d.). They
also offer online accessibility services for both students with disabilities
and active service members who may experience accessibility issues. Finally,
the services usually left to the campus only environment, is an online wellness
center for information, education, and resources. Students enrolled in distance
education need mental support services due to life’s stressors as much as those
on campus.
Conclusion
As a non-profit University, SNHU can offer programs that
are affordable and fit the needs and expectations of the students they serve.
Their growth in the last 60 years is a testament to that service. This
University is a great example of starting out with the needs of the students in
mind and remaining open and flexible as those needs have evolved. The
traditional universities of the past can learn from the template of SNHU for how
to be progressive in thought and mode of operation to remain relevant in
providing value in education.
Reference
Christensen,
C. M., & Eyring, H. J. (2011). The
innovative university: Changing the DNA of higher education from the inside
out. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
SNHU History. (n.d.). The history of SNHU. Retrieved from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/leadership-and-history/history
SNHU Online. (n.d.). SNHU online experience. Retrieved from https://www.snhu.edu/student-experience/online-student-experience
Brita,
ReplyDeleteThe offering of student services is an important component of higher education. Whether the students are traditional or non-traditional, access to services play an intricate role in lives in and out of the classroom. Students at this stage in their personal growth need to have assistance available whether they are part of a physical campus or online campus. EAB (2016) notes Nathaan Demers statement, a clinical psychologist and director of clinical programs "We have an ethical responsibility to connect with people who are not knocking on our door. Digital technology is the first place where millennials are going to look for help” (EAB, 2016, para. 7).
For example, Thaddeus Stevens provides teaching and learning that is personalized in meetings the goals and aspirations of each student. The college offers two services to those students who may be struggling in areas related to mental health and drugs/alcohol. Counseling services may be sought by students who are dealing with “mental illness, depression, stress, anxiety, family and relationship difficulties, grief and loss, substance use, poor academic performance or a particular life situation” Drug and alcohol awareness is another service the institution provides for its students. This service will analyze the students drinking patterns and risk patterns associated with drugs and alcohol. The program will also discuss the aspirations and goals of the individual seeking help (Jenzabar University, n.d.).
Providing mental health and drug/alcohol services to student’s present pros and cons related to such assistances. First, the services are made easily accessible by providing the ability to book appointments online. This 24 hour availability allows the students to make an appointment during any time of need. Second, those students who may be afraid to take the first step towards help may feel more comfortable booking an appointment online. This will generate immediate communication online, which affords the students anonymity if they are apprehensive towards face-to-face encounters. However, these services do not come without weaknesses as well. The college has the imperative duty to higher counselors that are highly qualified in these areas. The counselors must be continually educated in the areas revolving around mental health and drug/alcohol awareness, which requires a monetary investment. If counselors are not trained properly or fully equipped with the knowledge to handle students who are diverse in their needs, the students may become apprehensive to receiving help (EAB, 2016, pp. 1-4).
As mental health and drug/alcohol issues are on the rise in higher education, it should be a top priority of institutions to provide the best and most reliable counselors and services in these areas. Further, researchers at the University of York in Britain recently found that individuals using telepsychology did not have any improvement in their ability to deal with depression over a four-month period. Disengaged with computer programs, the participants of the study reported wanting more clinical support. Victor Schwartz, the medical director of the Jed Foundation, which works to prevent college student suicide argues that telepsychology is similar to MOOCs in that "there's that same challenge, where the novelty wears off and participation drops off" (p. 5).
References
EAB. (2016, October 28). The pros and cons of virtual mental health services, according to experts. Retrieved from https://www.eab.com/daily-
briefing/2016/10/28/the-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-mental-health-services-according-to-experts
Jenzabar University. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://my.stevenscollege.edu/ICS/Counseling__Disability/Counseling_Services.jnz
Amber,
DeleteThank you for your response. The number of students who are clinically depressed is becoming dangerously untenable. These numbers are probably higher if you count the online students. It always feels strange when we fill out the surveys from Concordia about our experience when most of it does not apply because we are online.
Brita
Brita,
ReplyDeleteYour selection of this University provides an innovative template for other institutions to follow. One area I found to be different from your choice in comparison to my own was the online wellness option offered by Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) online. I am not sure if I have ever heard of such a program at least not as an added online component. I think it is a needed addition that all online institutions should provide for their students.
Colleges and Universities that help provide support for their students cultivate meaningful learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Bowen (2013) describes these experiences as "inspirational and life-changing"(p. 68). Many current institutions have moved away from the personal learning touch to a now more numbers based mind frame. I, however, firmly believe that the student is the customer and if you meet the learning needs of the students and invest in them, then more students will come as a result of it. That being said SNHU appears to have this mindset as it focuses on preparing its students for the future job market while also addressing their current needs as students. Selingo’s (2013) criteria for schools that utilize practices centered on the needs of their students can be visible in the mission of this institution and within its program offerings.
Nicely Done!
Darlys
Bowen, W. G. (2013). Higher education in the digital age. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Selingo, J. J. (2013). College (Un)bound: The future of higher education and what it means for students. Boston, MA: New Harvest
Dar,
DeleteThank you for your response. You are right, with the budget crunch in public funds for higher education, institutions are searching for ways to save money. Unfortunately, many are being penny wise, pound foolish. This leads administrators to micromanage costs rather than focus on student needs. It becomes frustrating for those interacting with the students.
Brita
Brita,
ReplyDeleteAside for offering degree programs to federal employees and their families, the College of America at SNHU is another innovation that makes this university exciting for enrollees. The CoA offers competency based degrees that are project based, allowing students to show what they already have mastered. Associates and bachelor’s degrees are available (SNHU.com, 2017). SNHU has other innovative and cutting edge programs. Evidence of their commitment to progress is spread throughout their news release page and their offerings to 21st century students. Truly, even their web site is crisp, professional, and very personable. Their design team made me want to join their organization with their invitations to chat, call, and get involved and with the myriad of ways a person can become a part of the school.
Dr. G
Dr. G,
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding to my post. My niece's husband teaches online courses for SNHU. You are correct, it does look appealing and is something I will keep in mind after I get my Ed.D. There is not a guarantee there will be a tenure track line open at my current university when I am done here. Our new RCM budget model is making it more difficult, which in turn really makes it more difficult to encourage innovation.
Brita
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding to my post. I agree with you, writing is a critical component for success in most higher education programs as well as the future careers they lead to. It is disheartening to see the level of writing coming into my University now. It makes me want to go to the high schools and tell them they need to be preparing these students better.
Brita