“What would it mean for institutions to take student retention seriously? It would mean that institutions would stop tinkering at the margins of institutional life and make enhancing student retention the linchpin about which they organize their activities.”
(Tinto, 2012, p. 116)
Western Michigan University (WMU) is committed to the success of students. We have the opportunity to be a national leader in actualizing Tinto’s vision of making student retention and success the linchpin of organizational efforts.
What is a Professional Learning Community (PLC)?
A PLC consists of a group of professionals who meet regularly and work collaboratively together on an action research project based on shared interest. For more information click here.
Broncos FIRST PLCs are comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, and students. These learning communities are unique in using the student voice to drive the focus of the action research projects that will be developed to drive change at WMU around student success. These communities are also supported by a postdoctoral research associate.
What Should You Expect if You Become a Broncos FIRST PLC Participant?
Each participant is expected to…
- Build relationships with colleagues across campus and deepen their own expertise on student persistence
- Embrace the opportunity to interact with first year students and build relationships with them as you engage them in the conversation
- Deepen their own expertise on student persistence by studying literature related to student persistence with their colleagues
Each participant commits to…
- Being an active member of the Professional Learning Community for 2 academic years (fall and spring semester of each year)
- Attending scheduled meetings on a regular basis
- PLC’s meet once a week during the initial fall semester
- PLC’s meet every other week during the remaining semesters of commitment
- Requesting a statement of support from your supervisor during the application window
What do Participants gain from being a Broncos FIRST PLC Member?
- Stronger relationships with colleagues (faculty and staff) across campus
- More expertise in their area of student persistence/success and a better understanding of the organizational culture of WMU
- An opportunity to be a change agent at WMU
- An opportunity to interact with first year students in a unique way
- Access to a professional development (travel) stipend
2015-16 Broncos FIRST PLC Cohort 1
Team #1 - Sense of Belonging
Participant Name |
Division/College & Department/Unit |
|
Eric Archer |
College of Education & Human Development - Education, Leadership, Research & Technology |
|
Andy Brown |
College of Health & Human Services – Academic and Student Services |
|
Maddy Day |
Academic Affairs – Center for Fostering Success |
|
Vun Doubblestein |
Diversity & Inclusion – Division of Multicultural Affairs |
|
Michelle Hruska |
Academic Affairs – Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |
|
James Lewis |
College of Education & Human Development - Human Performance and Health Education |
|
Kelly O’Reilly (Facilitator) |
Haworth College of Business - Marketing |
|
David Paul |
College of Arts & Sciences - Philosophy |
|
Janice Quackenbush |
Student Affairs – Business Operations |
|
Chris Robinson (Facilitator) |
Haworth College of Business – Academic Advising |
|
John Spitsbergen |
College of Arts & Sciences – Biological Sciences |
Team #2 - Financial Literacy
Participant Name |
Division/College & Department/Unit |
|
Raja Aravamuthan |
College of Engineering & Applied Sciences – Chemical and Paper Engineering |
|
Sue Coker |
Student Affairs – Vice President’s Office |
|
Geralyn Heystek |
Haworth College of Business – Zhang Career Center |
|
Fredah Mainah (Facilitator) |
College of Arts & Sciences – Gender & Women Studies |
|
David Nivala |
Extended University Programs – Online Education |
|
Roshona Porter (Facilitator) |
Student Affairs – Residence Life |
2016-17 Broncos FIRST PLC Cohort 2
Participants have been spending the year building relationships with students and colleagues as they are exploring topics related to student persistence and success.
Team #1 - Brown
Participant Name |
Division/College & Department/Unit |
| Deanna Roland | College of Education & Human Development - Special Education & Litearcy Studies |
| Madeleine Fojtik | University Relations |
| Ceceilia Parnther(Facilitator) | Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education - Broncos FIRST |
| Claire Gonyo | Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education - Broncos FIRST |
Team #2 - Gold
Participant Name |
Division/College & Department/Unit |
|
Justin Gish |
College of Health & Human Services - Center for Disability Services |
| Tara Gish |
Extended University Programs - Online Education |
| Mariam Konate | College of Arts & Sciences - Women & Gender Studies |
| Lee Penyak | Haenicke Institute of Global Education - Study Abroad |
| Jeffrey Powless | College of Education & Human Development - Rehabilitation Counseling |
|
Kelly Reed |
Student Affairs - Student Activities Leadership & Programs |
| Bob Stewart | Haworth College of Business - Zhang Career Center |
| Toni Woolfork-Barnes | Enrollment Management - First Year Experience |