Meeting the Goals of the Meeting the Goals of the Illinois Public Agenda for Illinois Public Agenda for

College and Career SuccessCollege and Career Success

Presented By: Western Illinois University

Illinois Board of Higher Education Board Meeting

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove Campus

September 25, 2012

About the Presenters…About the Presenters…

• Dr. Gary Biller is Vice President for Student Services at Dr. Gary Biller is Vice President for Student Services at Western Illinois University (Western Illinois University (gm-biller@wiu.edu) )

• Dr. Ron Williams is Assistant Vice President for Academic Dr. Ron Williams is Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Western Illinois University (Affairs at Western Illinois University (rc-williams@wiu.edu))

Some people make things happen.

Some people watch things happen.

Some people simply wonder what happened.

--Author Unknown

Western Illinois University’s Western Illinois University’s Core Values…….Core Values…….

Academic Excellence

Educational Opportunity

Social Responsibility

Personal Growth

C1C1 C2C2

C4C4 C3C3

WIU’s Commitment to…WIU’s Commitment to…

• Increasing educational attainment

• Improving college affordability

• Strengthening workforce development

• Linking research and innovation to economic growth

Best Practices…Best Practices…

Increasing educational attainment:

• Enhanced alternative admissions program• Targeted recruitment• Restructured financial resources (scholarships)• Promote diverse student groups/organizations

Best Practices…Best Practices…

Improving college affordability:

• Cost guarantee program• Providing student employment opportunities• Restructured financial resources (scholarships)• Intrusive advisement (academic and social)• Building Connections

Best Practices…Best Practices…

Strengthening workforce development:

• Underrepresented dissertation fellowship, visiting professor, and post-doctoral programs

• The Dual Career Recruitment and Retention Program

• The Administrative Internship Program

Best Practices…Best Practices…

Linking research and innovation to economic growth:

• significant intellectual contributions to rural and urban significant intellectual contributions to rural and urban communities through:communities through:

– the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairsthe Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs– the Institute for Environmental Studiesthe Institute for Environmental Studies– the Small Business Development Centerthe Small Business Development Center– the Western Survey Research Center the Western Survey Research Center – the WIU-Quad Cities Executive Studies Centerthe WIU-Quad Cities Executive Studies Center

WIU’s Diversity StatementWIU’s Diversity Statement

The University is fundamentally committed to including and The University is fundamentally committed to including and integrating individuals within the campus community from integrating individuals within the campus community from different groups regardless of their: gender, race, color, different groups regardless of their: gender, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic background, and/or disability, veteran status, socioeconomic background, and/or intellectual outlook. intellectual outlook.

Western Illinois University Western Illinois University Facts and FiguresFacts and Figures

• Comprehensive Masters University Comprehensive Masters University

• Currently, approximately 13,000 students enrolledCurrently, approximately 13,000 students enrolled

One University, with 2 campuses:One University, with 2 campuses:• Traditional, Residential 4 year Campus - Macomb, Traditional, Residential 4 year Campus - Macomb,

IL approximately 180 miles from ChicagoIL approximately 180 miles from Chicago• Upper Division Urban Commuter Campus - Upper Division Urban Commuter Campus -

Moline, IL approximately 80 miles from main Moline, IL approximately 80 miles from main campuscampus

Western Illinois University Western Illinois University Underrepresented Population Underrepresented Population

Facts and FiguresFacts and Figures

• Students:Students:

• In 2002, 10.5% of students were minoritiesIn 2002, 10.5% of students were minorities

• Currently, 14.1% of students are minoritiesCurrently, 14.1% of students are minorities

• WIU has experienced a 3.6% increase in the minority WIU has experienced a 3.6% increase in the minority student populationstudent population

• Faculty and StaffFaculty and Staff

• In 2002, 7.1% of faculty and staff were minoritiesIn 2002, 7.1% of faculty and staff were minorities

• Currently, 9.0% of faculty and staff are minoritiesCurrently, 9.0% of faculty and staff are minorities

• WIU has experienced a 1.9% increase in the minority WIU has experienced a 1.9% increase in the minority faculty and staff populationfaculty and staff population

Enrollment PercentagesEnrollment Percentagesby Ethnic Group*by Ethnic Group*

**Includes both campuses.Includes both campuses.

****Includes students who marked “other” and those who failed to provide ethnic data.Includes students who marked “other” and those who failed to provide ethnic data.

******Percent of student body who completed an ethnic data card (excludes Other) and identified themselves as belonging to one of the four Percent of student body who completed an ethnic data card (excludes Other) and identified themselves as belonging to one of the four minority groups listed.minority groups listed.

Asian American 1.2%

Black 7.3%

Hispanic 4.3%

Native American 0.5%

White 77.7%

Non-Resident Alien 3.1%

Other** 5.9%

Percent Minority*** 14.1%

Best Practices to Best Practices to Successfully Meeting the GoalsSuccessfully Meeting the Goals

• Rethink approaches to access and affordability Rethink approaches to access and affordability

• Have the courage to think and act “outside the box”Have the courage to think and act “outside the box”

• Develop specific programs with specific goals and objectivesDevelop specific programs with specific goals and objectives

Senior Administrative SupportSenior Administrative Support

• Active involvement from the President and Vice Presidents Active involvement from the President and Vice Presidents – rhetoric vs. action – “actual commitment”– rhetoric vs. action – “actual commitment”

• The culture of the institution must be closely examined by The culture of the institution must be closely examined by senior administrators – positive change must be initiated senior administrators – positive change must be initiated from the top downfrom the top down

• Institutional leaders must address the issues, and avoid the Institutional leaders must address the issues, and avoid the denial of problemsdenial of problems

• Must communicate that diversity is an on-going process Must communicate that diversity is an on-going process and not an event that endsand not an event that ends

Presidential SupportPresidential Support• Encouraging total campus involvementEncouraging total campus involvement

• Creating an inclusive environmentCreating an inclusive environment

• Leading by exampleLeading by example

• Involving the local and surrounding community in the processInvolving the local and surrounding community in the process

• Providing support for mentoring programsProviding support for mentoring programs

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

Q&A

Thank YouThank You