Gardner Institute

I had a wonderful time this week at the Gardner Institute Symposium 2024. I'm thankful to represent Texas Woman's University Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives Division and Jorge F. Figueroa Flores, Ph.D to bring back transformative innovation to our TWU system. The working sessions and data to assess and explore varying dynamics to student success was extraordinary. The research presented for FYE, Transfer students, and even faculty and staff engagement was great. It was wonderful to network with individuals from Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and beyond and have an awesome conversation with co-founder John N. Gardner. It was great to collaborate with Tim McDuffie (Dallas College), Akilah A. Martin, Ed.D. (Assistant Vice-President - Gardner Institute), Connor Jennings (College of the Mainland), Carolyn Chang (Texas State University), and Renee Esparza (Austin Community College). #highereducation #studentsuccess #studentready #collegeready #transformativeinovation

Meghan Gilbert, Associate Professor of English at Guttman Community College CUNY and a 2024 Edgerton Fellow, engages with students by providing space to unpack their experiences and explore who they want to be through writing. She explains what it means to honor the whole person in her role in supporting community college students. Listen here: https://ow.ly/oRgl50TEbwR #HigherEducation #Teaching #FirstYear #CommunityCollege #StudentEngagement #EducationMatters #StudentSuccess

Join us on October 16 for our next Transformative Conversations on Rural Located and Rural Serving Institutions with guest Ty McNamee and Cassandra Hawkins from University of Mississippi. This important conversation will explore the opportunities and distinctive challenges facing our institutions that serve and are located in rural communities. We hope to discuss strategies and initiatives to support our students at these institutions. Register here: https://ow.ly/s09t50TGOKj

Thrilled to announce our upcoming presentation at the Gardner Institute Symposium on Transforming the Post Secomdary Experience with Mariana Macamay from Crafton Hills College. This session will highlight collaboration and Innovation through the New Counseling Model at CHC and the implementation of Completion Coaches with the help of our partners at College Promise and The Kresge Foundation . #institutionaltransformation #giatogether #inlandempire #craftonhillscollege #GrowingInlandAchievement

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Gardner Institute conference in Pittsburgh, PA, and deliver my first presentation! I focused on improving the transfer student experience across multiple areas of higher education, including credit evaluation, academic advising, orientation programs, residential life, and student success courses tailored to transfer and non-traditional students. While I was definitely nervous, the participants made it an amazing experience! I received fantastic feedback, and one attendee even asked for printed copies of the case studies I developed for our collaborative discussions. As I approach three years in my current role, I’m excited to continue growing and learning. A big thank you to my FPAC family and my boss for believing in my potential. It’s a reminder to myself that I am an expert and know my stuff—confidence is key! #highereducation #academicadvising #transferstudents #studentsuccess

Certain moments in my career reignite my passion and remind me of my purpose in higher education disability support, and the Gardner Institute Symposium on Transforming the Postsecondary Experience has been one of those moments. During the symposium, I have had the opportunity to engage with colleagues from various fields who are equally committed to enhancing student experiences. We discussed access as a shared responsibility and the practical challenges we all face in creating inclusive environments. I was also fortunate to present alongside Daniel Carpenter and Brent Drake on our session titled "Toward Disability Inclusion: Provoking Action Toward Achieving Equity, Excellence, Belonging, and an Equitable Campus Culture." A personal highlight was sharing a meal (and fangirling just a bit) with the John Gardner and Dr. Betsy Barefoot, where we discussed disability access, faculty engagement, and other essential topics related to supporting students with disabilities.

Congratulations to our award recipients! The Barefoot and Gardner awards and Edgerton Fellows were announced last night at our Symposium. The recipients for the Barefoot and Gardner award are University of Houston and West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The 2024-2027 Russell Edgerton Innovation Fellows are: Sarah Bunnell at Elon University, Meghan Gilbert at Guttman Community College CUNY, Amy Goodburn University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kimberly Koledoye, Ed. D. Houston Community College System, Oscar Miranda Tapia M.Ed. at North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities.

Had a great day attending the Gardner Institute “Symposium on Transforming the Postsecondary Experience” met some amazing practitioners in the field of transfer and student success! I’m excited and motivated to bring some innovative and transformative transfer best practices to Dallas College! Terrell M. Shaw Felita T. Williams, Ph.D. Bernard Huggins Kristian Burns, M.A. Alex Anacki Holly Herrera Paul LePore Olivia Tufo Tabetha Adkins Nii Kpakpo Abrahams #transformativetransfer #studentsuccess #transferstudentsmatter #dallascollegeproud

My time at the Gardner Institute Symposium has been inspiring and joyful. Yesterday, Felita T. Williams, Ph.D., Paul LePore, Scott Newman, and I spent the afternoon with a group of highly engaged chairs and deans talking about leading student work in academic units. Today, my team and I had the chance to learn ways to strengthen transfer, the first year experience, and curricular design from practioners across the country. I’m grateful to be with committed colleagues who believe that higher education can and must fulfill its promise as a path toward meaningful work and lives for all.

Wendy Ault, Executive Director of Melmac Foundation and Gardner Institute Board Member, shares the work of her foundation to address statewide gaps in all levels of education. Learn how developing relationships impacts her work in supporting communities and equitable education for students in rural areas of Maine: https://ow.ly/5FrS50T97bf