Description
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) Honors program currently boasts an enrollment of 100 students. Their program is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary growth, with a focus on a capstone portfolio project, study abroad experiences, and other enriching activities. With 25 diverse majors represented among their Honors students, they strive to provide a comprehensive educational experience. They received the Highest Engagement award at Pathways 2023, a testament to their commitment to academic excellence and student involvement.
Life with Suitable
During the restructuring phase of the Honors curriculum, the introduction of Suitable emerged as a pivotal moment, strategically aligning with the program's goals of incorporating innovative technology to enhance the educational experience. Recognizing the need to forge stronger connections within the Honors community and facilitate a seamless pathway for students, they embraced Suitable as a tool to bridge the gap between classroom learning and extracurricular involvement.
The decision to integrate Suitable was driven by a desire to empower students to take ownership of their academic journey while fostering a sense of belonging and cohesion within the Honors program. By leveraging Suitable's capabilities, the program aimed to not only streamline administrative processes but also cultivate a culture of collaboration, growth, and global awareness among participants.
Within the framework of the program, four distinct competency areas were identified: Campus Engagement, Growth Mindset, Global and Cultural Engagement, and Interdisciplinary Thinking. Each competency was carefully crafted to equip students with the skills, perspectives, and experiences necessary for success in an increasingly interconnected world.
Through Campus Engagement initiatives, students were encouraged to actively contribute to their university and community through meaningful projects, volunteerism, and civic engagement activities. Growth Mindset sessions provided students with tools and strategies to adopt a mindset focused on continuous improvement and personal development.
Global and Cultural Engagement opportunities offer students the chance to broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of diverse cultures and ideas through immersive experiences and events. Meanwhile, Interdisciplinary Thinking sessions encouraged students to transcend disciplinary boundaries, fostering the ability to tackle complex problems by synthesizing knowledge from multiple fields.
To complement these competencies, a series of badges were developed in collaboration with their University Relations and Marketing team, serving as tangible markers of achievement and proficiency within each area. The rollout of Suitable was meticulously planned, starting with comprehensive email communications, followed by live demonstrations during key events such as the All-Honors meeting and culminating in its integration into the Honors Survival Seminar.
This seminar, designed specifically for incoming students, served as a foundational stepping stone, providing essential tools, resources, and support networks to navigate their Honors journey effectively. By incorporating Suitable into the seminar curriculum, students were introduced to the platform's features and functionalities, empowering them to harness its full potential in documenting their progress and showcasing their achievements.
In addition to formal coursework, students were provided with ongoing support and guidance through a dedicated one-credit course, where they met regularly with Honors Program Faculty to assess their portfolio progress, engage in reflective discussions, and chart their intellectual, personal, and ethical development.
Overall, the integration of Suitable into their Honors program represented a holistic approach to education, combining technological innovation with a commitment to fostering holistic growth, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary thinking among students.
Outcomes Achieved
Since implementing the program, they witnessed a remarkable increase in student engagement, with rates reaching 99% in the Fall of 2022, and soaring to a perfect 100% by Fall 2023. This success has enabled them to gain valuable real-time insights into areas where further programming enhancements were needed. Notably, in 2022, Honors students completed a total of 2,546 activities, a number that surged to 4,173 completions by 2024. Alongside this growth, there has been a discernible uptick in student satisfaction, indicating a strong affinity for the program among their student body.
A significant aspect of their success lies in the seamless integration of push notifications and detailed reports, which have empowered them to strategically plan and adapt their approach as needed. Moreover, the incorporation of gamification elements, such as the leaderboard and friendly competitions, has proven immensely popular among students, fostering a sense of camaraderie and motivation. Regular check-ins with Honors students after each semester have provided invaluable feedback, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement of the program.
Furthermore, collaborative meetings with their team at the end of each semester have facilitated comprehensive reviews of performance reports and the exploration of potential enhancements to the platform. They attribute much of their success to the gamification strategy, which has effectively captivated all student cohorts and propelled them toward active participation in Suitable. Overall, their experience underscores the importance of leveraging technology and innovative approaches to enhance student engagement and administrative efficiency.
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