Institutional Effectiveness Day highlights value of diversity, equity and excellence to powerful student experience

More than 100 Radford University faculty and staff convened on Aug. 19, 2019 for Institutional Effectiveness Day, a tradition to renew the University focus on continued quality improvement and student success. 

The theme of the sixth annual event, hosted by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Improvement (OIEQP), was “Committing to Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence.”

The daylong session was keynoted by Tia Brown McNair M.S. ’96, Ed.D. She addressed the campus community on “A Vision for Equity, Inclusive Excellence and Quality.” McNair is vice president for diversity, equity and student success for the Association of American Colleges and Universities and co-author of “Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success.”

“Institutional Effectiveness Day enables our campus community to make connections, share ideas and foster partnerships that are so critical to the success of our students. Our common goal and one we look at every day is how we can improve teaching, learning and student success,” said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., as he welcomed colleagues not only from the Radford campus, but those from Radford University Carilion.  

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kenna Colley, Ed.D., connected education and inclusive practices, saying, “We will achieve excellence in teaching by linking diversity and quality interaction to understanding and acceptance.”

McNair, who earned her master’s degree in English from Radford University in 1996, reviewed a series of research that characterized the nature of inclusion and diversity initiatives undertaken across academia and resources available to faculty that can help them become part of the University’s classroom best practices. 

McNair emphasized the relevancy of the practices that build equity, inclusive excellence and quality.

“Service learning projects, undergraduate research opportunities and engagement in diversity and global learning experiences are tied to workforce preparation and success,” McNair said.

McNair called on the conference guests to help students understand and articulate the connection between “what we are asking them to do and their preparation for career and workforce success when they leave.”

Dean of the Artis College of Science and Technology Orion Rogers, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah Kennedy, Ph.D., detailed the REALISE Project that creates a learning environment that is student-ready, welcoming and inclusive in courses that introduce students early to STEM fields, pique their interest and direct them toward related career options.

Institutional Effectiveness Day also featured nine breakout sessions about educational initiatives, ranging from becoming a transfer champion, to integrating open educational resources into teaching and hosting inclusive events, spaces and presentations.

The OIEQP assists the Radford academic community in making data-informed decisions that enhance the student learning experience and improve the learning environment at Radford University.