In the Honors College, high-achieving students follow curricular paths that include honors courses. They’re encouraged to engage in research and share their work through publications and other outlets. It’s an effective recruitment tool, especially for students who crave heightened learning experiences.
“We’re really good at recruiting honors students,” says Dr. Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. But data indicates that once these students enroll, they don’t always complete the honors program, which means they don’t graduate with honors.
Supporting Recruitment and Retention
Seeing this disconnect, Provost Dr. John Jasinski, working with deans and other academic affairs leadership personnel, included the Honors College as an area of focus in the 2023–24 Continuous Agility Process. Jahnke led a task force with faculty members who have taught honors courses. It also included someone with expertise in advising honors students and representatives from the office of the registrar and the office of admissions.
The task force organized listening sessions with current honors students and with faculty who have taught honors courses. And the Missouri State University Foundation helped organize a Zoom session with Honors College alumni. The task force also consulted the best practices of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), which serves as a resource and connection point for honors colleges across the country. With these perspectives, the task force arrived at a clear consensus about how to best support honors students; it submitted recommendations to the office of the provost.
Key Recommendations
The task force recommended enhanced support for the Honors College in key areas like tracking and communication.
Data and Tracking
As the university evolves to a more data-informed culture, the Honors College will work with the office of the registrar and the office of institutional research to develop consistent reporting about honors students. This should help administrators make sure that honors students are tracking toward degree completion — and graduating with honors.
Communication
Jahnke says, based on the feedback the task force received, it was clear that Honors College students, administrators, faculty and advisors wanted more open lines of communication. The task force recommended the formation of a student advisory council to provide real-time insight into honors students’ experiences. It also recommended forming a faculty council to focus on areas like curriculum and admissions and an advisory council to support effective advising practices.
To establish more external support, the task force recommended that Missouri State re-up its membership in NCHC, which will give Honors College leaders access to insights and opportunities at the national level. Dr. John Chuchiak, director of the Honors College, recently shared the great news that Missouri State applied for membership and gained admission to NCHC.
Facilities
To further support the success of the Honors College, the office of the provost is working on establishing a dedicated space for Honors College offices, classrooms and events. Jasinski says this move is a priority and more details will be announced soon.
Around Campus…
The fall semester really is just around the corner! It’s a great time to mark your calendar for two events: the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning’s (FCTL) Showcase on Teaching and Learning on August 14 and the All Faculty Welcome Back Lunch on August 15.
This year’s Showcase features a keynote address from Dr. Lisa Blue, along with workshops from several Missouri State faculty members. They’ll take deep dives into topics like generative AI, trauma-informed teaching, experiential learning strategies, Brightspace tips and tricks and how to avoid burnout.
Nancy Gordon, FCTL director, says this event truly is designed to “fill your cup.” It will be packed with friendly faces, colleagues who are ready to share problem-solving strategies and insights that might make your work more efficient. All that, plus lunch!
On the following day, August 15, please join us for the All Faculty Welcome Back Lunch. President Dr. Biff Williams and Provost Dr. John Jasinski will be thrilled to greet faculty and share remarks. Please come enjoy lunch and network with colleagues as we kick off a new year.