Part II: Development Grant Specifics

A. Description of Prior Title III Support

Millikin University received a Title III Planning Grant in October 2001. The grant supported development of a Comprehensive Development Plan for a Title III Development grant, articulated in consideration of and in part through dialogue with activities of the Centennial Priorities Planning Committee. The Title III activities supported, in particular, development of plans for strengthened advising, student support, and MPSL activities. Planning activities were completed satisfactorily and are reflected in this proposal. Details on the planning process are in Section A of the Comprehensive Development Plan, above.

B. Ranking Activities
Because of the significance of retention for the University, this proposal has one activity focusing on strategies to improve student outcomes and increasing retention.

C. and D. Narrative for the Activity: Faculty Development and New Program Development to Strengthen Retention of Students

This Title III Activity will improve student success, and particularly the success of students who are at risk of failure, by strengthening advising and retention strategies. The strengthening of retention, advising and student support are priorities from the University's Centennial Planning Committee process.

This improvement in retention (and corresponding academic success) will be achieved through:
1) A stronger advising system and student support system; and
2) An environment in which students become more engaged in and take greater ownership of their own educational planning.

The stronger advising system will be achieved through 1) a faculty-driven process that institutionalizes the recognition and evaluation of advising; 2) stronger student support systems for students who are at high-risk of failure, and undeclared students who are higher-than-average risk of departure; 3) stronger professional development programs on advising and meeting the needs of all students as well as higher-risk students; and 4) the creation of tools (online registration and web-enhanced academic planning systems) to aid the advising process. 

The assumption of greater responsibility on the part of students for educational and life planning will come about, in part, through the stronger advising system and its tools. This permanent change will also be facilitated by:

1) the strengthening of the Millikin Plan for Student Learning through institutionalization of an MPSL assessment process; and 

2) the full implementation of the student Plan of Study through which students are engaged in reflection of their educational and life plans throughout their years at Millikin. 

By continuing to develop and by spreading best advising practices across campus, Millikin hopes to enhance student success.