Transformative Conversations:

Revitalizing and Supporting

Students and Institutions

Transformative Conversations was started to address the challenges faced by Higher Education due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn, over 7000 faculty, staff, and administrators from over 700 institutions, non-profits, and higher education organizations joined us for the first three series of transformative conversations about higher educations responses to COVID-19, to the social unrest, and changing higher education environment.

This series explores how Higher Education is both impacted by and responding to these challenges. The series focuses on college teaching, learning, student success, and all aspects of higher education. We include frank conversations about equity, social justice, and the current climate in higher education. Through this forum, we will engage with colleagues across the country to dissect issues in higher education in real-time.

All opinions and views expressed as part of the forum belong solely to the individual participants and do not represent those of the people, institutions, or organizations that the individual may, or may not be associated with in a professional, educational, or other personal capacities unless explicitly stated. They are not a reflection of the opinions of the institutions at which they work or attend.

The series is hosted by Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn,

Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn is a Senior Assistant Vice President at the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. Prior to joining the Institute staff in October 2019, Monica was  Associate Professor and Director of undergraduate and Interim Director of graduate communication programs at Lindenwood University and she served as Associate Professor of Mass Communications at Jackson State University.

Dr. Flippin Wynn earned her Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater, and her undergraduate degree from Southern University.


 

2022-2023 Transformative Conversations

Previous Conversations

ChatGPT and AI Writing: “The What, The Why, and the Oh My!"

Watch the Recording

May 3, 2023

  • Craig A. Meyer, Associate Professor of English & Director of the Writing Program, Jackson State University

A Mental Health Check-up and Check-in

Watch the Recording

April 26, 2023

The Future of DEIJ in Post-Secondary Institutions

Watch the Recording

April 19, 2023 (Note this session will be 1 hour and 30 minutes) 2- 3.30 p.m. ET

  • Tomarra Adams, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Bellarmine University

  • Najja K. Baptist, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Arkansas Fayetteville

  • Ellie Cooper, Student Navigator, Bridgewater State University

  • Shelia Lloyd, Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity and Antiracism, Hampshire College

  • Sabrina Gentlewarrior, Vice President of Student Success, Equity and Diversity, Bridgewater State University

  • Reema Zeineldin, Associate Vice President, Academic, Framingham State University

  • Nakeshia Williams, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Hollins University

Diverse Representation in the Academy - HERC

Watch the Recording

April 12, 2023

  • Jessica Wise, Co-Executive Director, Director of Programs, Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)

  • Jennifer O'Neill, Program Manager, Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)

Retention Practices

Watch the Recording

March 29, 2023

  • Mitchell Shears, Executive Director, Title III Programs, Jackson State University

  • Kate Gold, Director of Advising Resources, Northern Vermont University

  • Jeff Tunney, Associate Director, Instructional Development and Assessment, Vermont State University

HBCU Update

Watch the Recording

March 1, 2023

  • Alisa Mosley, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jackson State University, Jackson State University

  • Donald Palm, Provost/ Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Success and Engagement, Virginia State University

Innovations and Retention

Watch the Recording

February 22, 2023

  • Art Recesso , Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovation, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Every Learner Everywhere

Watch the Recording

February 15, 2023

Black Male Initiatives and Retention and Completion Outcomes

February 8, 2023

Watch the Recording

  • Wanda Gross, Director, African-American Male Initiative, University System of Georgia

  • Kenneth Daniels, Georgia Southwestern, majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Computer Science

Intercultural Competence and Identity in the Classroom

February 1, 2023

Watch the Recording

  • Dr. Leeva Chung, Professor of Communication Studies, University of San Diego

  • Dr. Lizhi Shi, Instructor in Educational Administration(higher learning), Jackson State University

A Conversation on Transformation and Student Success

January 18, 2023

Watch the Recording

A Student Perspective

December 7, 2022

Watch the Recording

  • Lucy Emerho, Undergraduate Student, Oklahoma State University

  • Monica Harris, Undergraduate Student, Jackson State University (to be conferred in December)

  • Lindsay M. Vandyke, Graduate Student, Western Michigan

  • Clinecia “CeCe” White, Undergraduate Student, Tuskegee University

Democratizing Data & Equitable Assessment = Equitable student success

November 30, 2022

Watch the Recording

Equity and Employability: Securing post degree success for all of our students

November 9, 2022

Watch the Recording

  • Stephen Cox, Associate Professor Organizational Communication and Leadership, Murray State University

  • Michele Deasy, Vice President, The QA Commons

  • Victoria McGillin, Associate Vice President, Gardner Institute

  • Sonny Ramaswamy, President, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities


Supporting our Students: Creating Post-Secondary Access for Emerging Adults in Foster Care

October 26, 2022

Watch the Recording

  • Nathaniel Brown, Lecturer of clinical mental health counseling, John Hopkins University

  • Ronicka Hamilton, Director of Seita Scholars program, Western Michigan University

  • Jarrett Pratt, Director of Student Success, The Pratt Center and Sullivan-Deckard Scholars Opportunity program, Cleveland State University

  • Analisa Perez, Student from Seita Scholars program, Western Michigan University

  • Deborah Williams, Student from Seita Scholars program, Western Michigan University

Trends in Online Education: Reviewing the 7th Chloe Report

(Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) report)

October 12, 2022

Watch the recording


Mental Health at our institutions - Resilience

September 28, 2022

Watch the recording

As institutions have begun to transition into the 2022-2023 academic year, we continue our need to create space to discuss the status of mental health and wellness for our students, faculty, and staff. Please join us on September 28 as Candy McCorkle and Megan Kennedy offer insight and resources for keeping mental health and wellness centered at our institutions.

  • Candy McCorkle, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Professor of Counselor Education, Western Michigan University

  • Megan Kennedy, Director of the UW Resilience Lab, University of Washington

  • Thyme Turner, student, Grambling State University

Resources:

Bring Be REAL to Your Campus
U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network

Center for Child and Family Well-Being

Well-being for Life and Learning Initiative

The Steve Fund

Equity in Mental Health Framework

The Jed Foundation


Transformative Conversation Kick-off- Status of the Academy

September 14, 2022 2pm et

Freeman Hrabowski III, former President, University of Maryland Baltimore Campus.  

We are excited for the 2022-2023 Transformative Conversations to begin in September.  We are honored to kick-off the Transformative Conversations on September 14, with Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, the former President of University of Maryland Baltimore Campus.  

We are grateful and excited to have Dr. Hrabowski for kicking off this session of the Transformative Conversations focusing on transitions and transformations.






Recordings Spring 2022

Enriching the Student Experience through the Development and Support of Faculty 

Watch Here

April 20, 2022 2 pm et

● Chris Lavan, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 

● Candis Pizzetta, Associate Professor of English – Jackson State University 

● Larry Acker, Professor, Healthcare Management, Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Lindenwood University 

● Stephanie Foote, Senior Associate Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Evidence-Based Practices, Gardner Institute 

● Kevin McGreal, student, Community College of Vermont 

The First-Year Experience: Revisited to Look to the Future

Watch the Recording here

Participants

The Student Voice in Postsecondary Education

Watch the Recording

Participants:

University of California Irvine- The Value of College

Mount Tamalpais College: Navigating educational opportunities within our prison systems

Watch the Recording Here

Participants:

  • Jody Lewen, Executive Director of the Prison University Project, Mount Tamalpais College

  • Bonaru Richardson, TC Development Associate, Mount Tamalpais College

Higher Education Policy Transformations: Real and Transparent Access for all of our student populations

Watch the Recording Here

Participants:



Supporting all of our student populations: Keeping our Student Parents in the Pipeline

Watch the Recording Here

  • Participants
    Gabrielle Caverl-McNeal, Assistant Director of Workforce Development, New Moms, Chicago IL

  • Katherine Pohlidal, Director, Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program, Misericordia University

  • Stacy McCarter, A senior education student and a participant in the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program, Misericordia University

  • Adaisah Walker, Participant in the New Moms program, studying Business Administration; Harold Washington College


Links and resources shared during the conversation:

New Moms Chicago https://newmoms.org/

Misericordia University Women with Children Programhttps://www.misericordia.edu/admissions-aid/ruth-matthews-bourger-women-with-children-programs

Single Mom Success Education Design Lab - Community Colleges https://eddesignlab.org/project/singlemomssuccess/

Cash Aid to Poor Mothers Increases Brain Activity in Babies, Study Finds https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/24/us/politics/child-tax-credit-brain-function.html

The impact of a poverty reduction intervention on infant brain activity https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2115649119

Graduate Students and the Pandemic

Watch the Recording here

  • Leslie Ekpe, Doctoral Candidate in Higher Education Leadership, Texas Christian University

  • Alethia Russell, Doctoral Student, Indiana University Bloomington, Gardner Insititute Intern



Student Success and Persistence during the Pandemic

Watch the Recording Here

  • Elaine Harvey, Title III Project Director, Director of Student Engagement and Persistence, Northern Vermont University, Johnson, Vermont

  • Alethea Stovall, Dean of Students at Bryan College of Health Sciences, Lincoln, Nebraska

  • Jammie Wilbanks, Associate Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Services, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta, Georgia



Student Voices in the Pandemic

Watch the Recording Here

Recordings: Fall 2021

Board of Trustees and Student Success

Watch the Recording Here

Henry Stoever, Association of Governing Boards

John Gardner, Founder and Executive Chair Gardner Institute

Vicki McGillin, Associate Vice President, Gardner Institute

Teaching Race in the Classroom: Higher Education and Critical Race Theory

Watch the Recording Here

Lori Patton Davis, The Ohio State University

Melanye Price, Prairie View A & M University

Tiece Ruffin, University of North Carolina- Asheville


Socially Just Design

Watch Here

Dr. Drew Koch, Chief Executive Officer, Gardner Institute

Dr. Megan Underhill, University of North Carolina - Asheville

Aryelle Jacobsen, University of North Carolina – Asheville

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fall 2021 Update

Watch Here

Alisa Mosley, Jackson State University

Lawrence Potter Jr., University of The District of Columbia

Donald Palm, Virginia State University


LGBTQA on Campus

Watch Here

Rico Self, Southwestern University

Chase Catalano, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Jeffrey Livingston, Stony Brook University


Through the Eyes of Students

Watch Here

Vincent Tinto, Syracuse University



Tribal Colleges and Universities Fall 2021 Update

Watch Here

Cheryl Crazy Bull, American Indian College Fund

Cynthia Lindquist, Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Grace Mukupa, AIHEC

Sedelta Oosahwee, National Education Association

Jasmine Neosh, Menominee Nation



Back to the classroom: Face-to-Face and online teaching

Watch Here

Catherine Adams, Claflin University

Joshua Daniel, Oklahoma State University

Jill Alexander, University of Missouri-St. Louis



Student Narratives and Observations

Watch Here

Denise Lee, Western Michigan University

Bryson Rodier, Western Carolina University

Thyme Turner, Grambling State University

Kerry Wilson, May 2021 graduate University of North Carolina - Asheville

Spring 2021



How can institutions answer the call for equitable and inclusive transformative change? A Transformative Conversation with D-L Stewart

Watch Here

D-L Stewart, Ph.D.; Professor, Colorado State University


It’s a Wrap: Student Narratives and Observations

We regret to share that due to a technical glitch the recording of this forum is unavailable.

Denise Lee – Western Michigan University

Bryson Rodier – Western Carolina University

Thyme Turner – Grambling State University

Kerry Wilson – University of North Carolina - Asheville




The First-Generation Student Experience - What We Know from Research, Practice, and Popular Culture

Watch Here

Amy Baldwin, Director, Student Transitions, University of Central Arkansas

La'Tonya Rease Miles, Dean of Student Affairs, Menlo College

Stephanie Foote, Associate Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Evidence-Based Practices, Gardner Institute

 

Pandemic (Pedagogic)Takeaway

Watch Here



Student Persistence and Retention Today

Watch Here

Restoring and Rebuilding Faculty/Staff Resilience

Watch Here

Margaret Adams, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, South Georgia State College

Mays Imad, Professor Department of Life & Physical Science, Pima Community College - East Campus

Elizabeth Lehfeldt, Dean of the Mandel Honors College and Mandel Professor of History, Cleveland State University




Digital Inequity Revealed

Watch Here

D’andre Hardy, M.Ed.,  Director of Retention, Greensboro College, Greensboro, North Carolina

Melissa Irvin, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Advising and Analytics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Sara Peters, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of English, East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma




Race in Academia-Challenges and Possibilities

Watch Here

Rico Chapman, Assistant Dean, Clark Atlanta University

Carol Henderson, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, Emory University

Andrea Hunter, Chancellor’s Fellow for Campus Climate, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Melayne Price, Endowed Professor of Political Science, Prairie View A&M University

Jervette Ward Associate Professor of English, Mississippi State University




Gender Equity in the Academy - Yes, call me Dr.

Watch Here

Dr. Whitnee Boyd, Coordinator of Special Projects, Office of the Chancellor, Texas Christian University

Dr. Lyndi Hewit, Associate Professor of Sociology and Acting Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, University of North Carolina- Asheville

Dr. Michelle A. Massé, Professor of English & Women's & Gender Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

Dr. Dana Williams, Interim Dean of the Howard University Graduate School, Howard University




Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times

Watch Here

Dr. Betsy Barefoot, Senior Scholar, Gardner Institute

Dr. John Gardner, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Gardner Institute

Dr. Kimberly Koledoye, Professor and Program Coordinator of Academic Student Success for the Houston Community College System




(Fall 2020)

Student Update-

This recording is not available at this time.

Allison Clark – Western Michigan University

Denise Lee – Western Michigan University

Thyme Turner – Grambling State University




Graduate Studies and Recruitment

Watch the recording here

Christopher Bryan, M.Ed., Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, University of North Georgia

Mark Garrison, PhD Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Professor of Psychology, Morgan State University

Preselfannie E. Whitfield McDaniels, Ph.D., Professor of English, Dean, Division of Graduate Studies, Jackson State University,

Darrell Robinson, Incoming Graduate Student: The George Washington University, Digital Director / Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus

Mental and physical wellness in the time of Covid-19

Watch the recording here

Andrea K. Henderson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of South Carolina. Co-chair:  Faculty Welfare Committee and Mental Health

Michael Hayes UMOJA Health Wellness & Justice Collective

Ann DuPre Rogers, LCSW Executive Director, Resources for Resilience



Transformative  Conversations: A Brave New World in Academic Advising

Presented with our NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising partner in Excellence in Academic Advising.

Watch the recording here

Dr. Chrissy Davis Jones; Dean of Student Support Services, Spokane Falls Community College, EAA Fellow, Member, NACADA Administrators' Institute Advisory Board

Dr. Cynthia Pascal; Interim Associate Vice-President for Student Support and Title IX Coordinator; Director of Student Services, Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA Online, EEA Fellow, Chair, NACADA Summer Institute

Dr Kimberly S. Smith; Associate Vice-President, Student Success Initiatives, Virginia Tech University, EAA Fellow, Chair, NACADA Career Advising Community

 Mr. Gavin Farber ; Academic Advisor II , Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University , Chair, NACADA Advisor Training and Development Advising Community , Member, NACADA Professional Development Committee

Ms. Teri Farr; Associate Director for Academic Advising and Student Success, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Board Member, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising (incoming), Past Chair, Administrative Division, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising

Dr. Vicki McGillin; Resident Fellow, Gardner Institute, EAA Fellow, EAA Co-Project Manager, Excellence in Academic Advising 

Dr. Susan M. Campbell; EAA Fellow, Co-Project Manager, Excellence in Academic Advising, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, NACADA Past President



International students during the time of Covid

The recording can be viewed here

Natalie Cruz, Doctoral candidate in higher education and Production Editor, Journal of International Students at Old Dominion University

Dr. Jessika K. Jones, International Student Counselor II and  Production Editor, Journal of International Students, University of Houston

Sarah Jackson, International Student, University of Northern Colorado




Tribal Colleges and Universities- Transformation and Change in the COVID-19 Era

The recording can be viewed here

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund

Dr. Cynthia Lindquist, President of Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Grace Mukupa, Sr. Associate of Student Success Initiatives AIHEC

 Sedelta Oosahwee, Senior Program/Policy Analyst/Specialist, National Education Association

Jasmine Neosh, student, College of Menominee Nation



HBCU’s – Adjusting to the New Normal

The recording can be viewed here

Dr. Alisa MosleyInterim Provost, Jackson State University

Dr. Charlie Nelms, Senior Scholar at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Senior advisor at the United Negro College Fund and Gardner Institute Board Member

Dr. Donald E. Palm, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Virginia State University

Dr. Lawrence Potter , Chief Academic Officer/Provost, University Of The District of Columbia



Institutional Commitments to Inclusivity and Equity 

The recording can be viewed here

Dr. Shane Williamson, Vice President of Institutional Diversity at Lindenwood University

Dr. Robert Luckett, Director of the Margaret Walker Center - Associate Professor at Jackson State University


Fall 2020: Teaching in online and socially distanced classrooms

The recording can be viewed here

(Note: This session recording began about five minutes after the start.)

Dr.Stephanie Foote; Associate Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Evidence-Based Practices; Gardner Institute

Jill Alexander, APR; Fellow (PRSA), Associate Teaching Professor and Public Relations Certificate Coordinator; University of Missouri- St. Louis

Carol Hernandez, MA; was previously scheduled to present but unable to attend.

Resources mentioned during this forum:

Active Learning while Physically Distancing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZtTu2pmQRU_eC3gMccVhVwDR57PDs4uxlMB7Bs1os8/edit

Active Learning in Hybrid and Physical Distanced Classroom

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/2020/06/active-learning-in-hybrid-and-socially-distanced-classrooms/

Resources for Online and Blended Courses- Wakelet

https://wke.lt/w/s/tbS1V8

Adobe Education Exchange

https://edex.adobe.com



Fall 2020: Supporting College Athletes

The recording can be viewed here

Derek Cowherd Senior Associate Athletic Director  / Executive Director of SASSO, The Ohio State University

Myles Marshall – Track and Field  https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/roster/myles-marshall/  (RAS)

Emily Nothnagle – Pistol   https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/roster/emily-nothnagle/  (Peer Educators)

Alex Wright – W. Golf  https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/roster/alex-wright/




Student Musings: College during Covid-19

The Recording can be accessed here.

The guests for this session include the following:

Allison Clark, Senior at Western Michigan University , Major: Mathematics - Secondary Education, Hometown: Clarkston, Michigan

Denise Lee ,Junior at Western Michigan University ,Major: Interior Design, Hometown: Warren, Michigan

Thyme Turner Freshman at Grambling State University ,Major: Child Development and Early Literacy with a concentration in teacher certification, Hometown: Raymond, Mississippi

 

Covid-19 Lessons Learned: Transitioning to Fall 2020

The recording can be accessed here

The guests for this session:
Dr. Laura Lynch, Assistant Vice President for Faculty Affairs at College of Coastal Georgia

Dr. Natalie Tindall, Department chair and associate professor in the Department of Communication and Media at Lamar University

Kerry Wilson, Student, University of North Carolina-Asheville

The series is hosted by Dr. Monica Flippin Wynn,

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Transformative Conversations Wednesday’s at 2pm est