OU to host fourth annual Michigan Student Success Conference

OU to host fourth annual Michigan Student Success Conference
Student Success
The 2016 Michigan Student Success Conference is titled "Collaborating for Student Success" and takes place Feb. 11-12 at the Detroit Marriott Troy.

As part of a statewide effort to increase post-secondary degree completion, Oakland University will host its fourth annual Michigan Student Success Conference Feb. 11-12 at the Detroit Marriott Troy.

 

This year’s conference, titled “Collaborating for Student Success,” will explore different ways in which engagement can enhance and broaden student learning.

 

“The conference will offer a wide range of sessions that showcase the importance of combining efforts, partnering with other academic units and the community, and sharing best practices that could improve student persistence,” said Krista Malley, OU’s manager for student success and associate coordinator for the conference. “We have a great lineup of guest speakers who will shed light on many issues that are at the forefront of higher education today.”

 

Keynote Speakers

 

The event features three keynote speakers who are recognized experts in the field of higher education.

 

  • Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). She has written extensively on the importance of teaching students civic and social responsibility. Her keynote is especially timely since AAC&U also champions Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) and Michigan has just become one of 12 LEAP states nationally.

 

  • Richard Guarasci, chairman of Campus Compact and president of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Institutions, will be speaking about his work with undergraduate curriculum.

 

  • David DiRamio, specialist in veterans’ success in higher education, will be speaking and conducting a workshop.

 

Open to the public, the conference will include presentations on cross-institutional collaborations and collaborations with business and industry. There will also be sessions on collaborations with public sector agencies and government entities.

 

Other speakers at the conference include Pontiac Mayor Dierdre Waterman, Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson and Macomb Community College President James Jacobs.

 

The conference runs from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, with a poster showcase and reception immediately following, from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. The event continues on Friday, Feb. 12, running from 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

 

Pre-Conference Workshop

 

Additionally, spots are still available for the preconference workshop, which takes place from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. David DiRamio, associate professor of higher education administration at Auburn University, will lead an interactive workshop titled, “Who are our Student Veterans and are we Veteran-Friendly?”

 

The conference is supported by The Kresge Foundation, College Scheduler, CelCat, Civitas Learning, SkyFactor, the Michigan Academic Advising Association and the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance.

 

“This is a prime opportunity for colleges from across Michigan to share success stories, as well as techniques to help all students succeed and graduate,” said William Moses, The Kresge Foundation’s managing director, education. “Too often, colleges don’t have outlets to spread their lessons learned to peers, despite dealing with similar challenges when seeking to help low-income students to graduate. We’re proud to partner with Oakland University to help Michigan change this pattern so more students can realize their dreams of securing a college degree.”

 

For more information or to register, visit oakland.edu/studentsuccess.