ADTT

Associate Academic Deans Think Tank members' responsibilities run the gamut from administering academic advising to curricular programs, but share an intense commitment to insuring that students' academic experiences are supportive and rich. The group has covered a wide range of topics relating to their jobs, including: academic integrity, articulation and transfer, student retention, developmental education, and incorporating diversity and multiculturalism into the curriculum.

Individuals considering membership in the Associate Deans Think Tank have found it useful to review sample materials from previous meetings. Below you will find an agenda and readings from a Think Tank session held during the 2007-08 academic year:

Sample Agenda: “Narrowing the Achievement Gaps for Students of Color, Low-Income Students, and Students from First-Generation Backgrounds,” February 6, 2008
Sample Readings:

Carey, K. (May 2004). A matter of degrees: Improving graduation rates in four-year colleges and universities. Education Trust. 1-20.
Lederman, D. (October 31, 2007) Closing the achievement gap. Inside Higher Education.
Pena, E.V., Bensimon, E.M., & Colyar, J. (Spring 2006). Learning to think and act from the standpoint of equity. Liberal Education, 92 (2), 48-52.
GEAR Up excerpt from: Ward, N.L. (2006). Improving equity and access for low-income, and minority youth into institutions of higher education. Sage Publications.

Additional Resources:

Bauman, G.L, Bustillos, L.T., & Benison, E.M. (September 2004). Achieving equitable educational outcomes with all students: The institution’s roles and responsibilities. Center for Urban Education, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California.
Addresses key indicators of race-based gap and ways that institutions can apply to their own campuses.
Bensimon, E.M. (Fall 2005). Closing the achievement gap in higher education: An organizational learning perspective. New Directions for Higher Education, 131, 99-111.
Uses organizational learning theory to address the structural barriers that preclude colleges from producing equitable outcomes for all students; case examples on how organizational learning can impact cognitive frames of decision making.
Bok, D. (Oct. 24, 2003). Closing the nagging gap in minority achievement. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 50 (9), B20.
Outlines things that colleges/universities (collectively/individually) can do to address issues/tackle the achievement gap.
Hummel, M.L. (Jan/Feb 1997). Eliminating the achievement gap. About Campus, 1 (6), 28-30.
Describes 21st Century program at U. Michigan and ways that it helps student retention and achievement.
McClure, A. (July 2007). Minding the gap: How community colleges are addressing the achievement gap. University Business, 44-45.
Report from conference; introduces developmental education at community colleges as ways that colleges have handled issues of achievement among different populations.
Ruppert, S. (October 2003). Closing the College Participation Gap. Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO.
Outlines demographics and issues of college access.
Schmidt, P. (June 1, 2007). What color is an A? The Chronicle of Higher Education, 53 (9), A24-A28.
Chronicles a student at Skidmore/ intervention programs; addresses the advanced degree/science issue.

Discussion Topics for the 2007-08 Associate Deans Think Tanks:

“Institutional Citizenship: Faculty Commitments to Institutional Life in a New Era for Higher Education”
“Civic Engagement and Social Capital: Does One Size Fit All? Implications for Higher Education”
“Narrowing the Achievement Gaps for Students of Color, Low-Income Students, and Students from First-Generation Backgrounds”
“Virginia Tech: Opportunities for Institutional Learning”
“Punished by Rewards? Faculty Assessment and Evaluation and Promotion and Tenure Review”

Current Associate Deans Think Tank Members (2007-2008)

Past Associate Deans Think Tank Members:

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