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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDr. Tiffany Mfume addresses many critical issues confronting HBCU retention and graduation. In addition to dispelling popular myths about African American students, this brilliant academic leader has amassed a significant collection of proven strategies and interventions that can positively increase HBCU graduation rates. HBCUs have a rich legacy of providing opportunities for African-Americans to obtain a college education and thereby make tremendous contributions to their families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Currently fewer than 10 of the 105 HBCUs graduate as many as 50% of their entering freshmen. This work will change that. It is must-read for those interested in the restoration of the prominent role of HBCUs in African American education. Bravo, Dr. Mfume, for a job well done! -- John Hudgins, PhD, associate professor, Sociology and Human Services Administration, Coppin State University
Dr. Mfume's book is a true treasure chest of wonderful ideas, innovative practices, and golden nuggets of critical pieces that are essential to transforming a campus to address and "practice/live" student success. I am glad to see a practical book that shares lessons learned, discusses the benefits of leveraging technology in “plain language,” and emphasizes the "change management" aspect of the transformation that is required to impact graduation numbers. -- Ana B. Borray, director iPASS Implementation Services, EDUCAUSE
Dr. Mfume has masterfully articulated what can be done to help improve retention and graduation rates at HBCUs. But more importantly, she has captured how to develop and sustain a campus culture that facilitates student success. -- Danette Gerald Howard, vice president for policy and mobilization, Lumina Foundation, former Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)
Dr. Tiffany Mfume is leading the way in advancing college access and success for underrepresented students. Her groundbreaking analysis will change the way we look at college advising and institutional approaches to improving college retention, progression and completion. -- Greg Ratliff, senior program officer, education, postsecondary success, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface Introduction: HBCUs: Legacy and Historical Context HBCUs: Historical Context Morgan State University: A Brief History Morgan’s Office of Student Success and Retention Who is This Book For? What is This Book About? Chapter 1: Leadership: You Are Only As Good As Your College President The College Presidency in America: A Profile HBCU Presidents: The Best of the "Old Guard" HBCU Presidents: The Best of the "New School" Morgan State University: A Tale of Two Presidents “Old Guard” vs. “New School” Navigating Changes in Senior Leadership New Leadership = New Opportunities The Future of the HBCU Presidency Chapter 1: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 2: Branding: Understanding What Makes Your University Great & Putting it Out There Branding by Mass Media What is Your Brand? Development of a Brand Perception: The HBCU Renaissance To Be an HBCU, or Not To Be an HBCU – That Is the Question Let Data Inform the Brand Re-branding New Student Orientation Brand Cohesion: Alignment with Strategic Goals of the Institution “Putting it Out There”: Communicating the Brand “We Are the Bears!” Chapter 2: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 3: Data Mining: Who are your students and what do they need? Who are the students at Morgan State University? Trust the Data, Don’t “Second-Guess” the Data Where’s the Data? What is the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA)? What Data Comes from Accuplacer? Use Data to Answer Questions Data and Strategic Retention Goals Data Driven Decision Making So What Do Your Students Need? Write the Data Narrative for Your Own Institution Chapter 3: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 4: Frontloading: Freshmen, First Impressions, and Foundations Foundations Frontloading Summer Orientation – Begin at the Beginning HBCU Orientation: A Cultural Transition Model Goals & Objectives of Summer Orientation Measuring Success: Student Orientation Outcomes Benchmark Study CASA Academy – A Model Program The Quest for StrengthsQuest Six Weeks of “Math Boot Camp” Foundations of Excellence® in the First College Year First-Year Advising Tutoring and Collaborations Don’t Forget the Parents College GPS: the Freshman Orientation Course What Follows the First Year The Final Impression of First Impressions Chapter 4: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 5: Case Management: Systematic Tracking and Monitoring of Students by Cohort Predictive Analytics Why Cohorts? Predicting Success at Morgan Navigating the Bill Payment Process The Origins of Case Management at Morgan To Drop or not to Drop – That is the Question Education on “HOLD” Tracking & Monitoring Transparent Record Keeping “Fishing” for Students Case Management: A Proven Strategy A Winning Combination Chapter 5: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 6: Strategic Initiatives: Programs Designed Specifically to “Move the Data” Embrace the System Common Academic Support Programs Are They Working? The Genesis of Strategic Programming at MSU A Bright Idea is Born The Reclamation Initiative The Results Are In... A Model Program One Step Away An Exit Strategy Degree Auditing Software Other Strategic Initiatives The Genesis of a Philosophy Moving the Data Becoming and Remaining Strategic Chapter 6: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 7: Leveraging External Resources: Getting the Most Out of Grants Grants Are Worth Much More than Money Public Grants: Funding That’s A Strong Foundation AmeriCorps*VISTA: A Non-Traditional Grant for an HBCU A Game-Changer: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation IPAS Grant Lumina Foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) The Kresge Foundation Southern Education Foundation (SEF) USA Funds Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) Promote Student Success with Grants Chapter 7: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 8: Technology: Tools and Systems Help Us Work Smarter Not Harder The Foundation: A Student Information System (SIS) A Smooth Switch to Google IPAS: A New Acronym IPAS Benefits and Outcomes Transition and Buy-In Change Management A User-Friendly Tool The Results Are In.... Manual Degree Auditing Why Degree Auditing Software? Google Apps Starfish Retention Solutions Degree Works™ by Ellucian Blackboard Oracle Campus Labs SmarThinking Civitas Learning™ Hobsons GradesFirst Chapter 8: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 9: Networking: Documenting and Sharing Your Successes and Failures Being the Only HBCU to Attend… No Need to “Reinvent the Wheel” Getting the “Real Deal” from Colleagues Why Attend Conferences? The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Annual Regional HBCU Summit on Retention National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) National Orientation, Transition, and Retention Association (NODA) Ruffalo Noel Levitz American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Association of Public and Land‑Grant Universities (APLU) The College Board Complete College America The Education Policy Institute (EPI) NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA) Chapter 9: Questions & Next Steps References Chapter 10: The HBCU Success Recipe HBCUs and the College Completion Agenda Should HBCUs Just Admit “Better” Students? Blaming the Students Overcoming the Impact of Students’ Financial Hardships Georgia State University: the “Success Recipe” at Work What Will Work: the Future of Retention, Persistence & Completion at HBCUs Chapter 10: Questions & Next Steps References
