strategic intervention for doctoral completion maureen grasso dean of the graduate school the...

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral Completion

Maureen GrassoDean of the Graduate School

The University of Georgia

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Collaborators

University of Georgia

• Research, publications, and IT functions

University of Florida

North Carolina State University

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Guiding Principles

Theoretical Framework

Data-based Interventions

Collaborative Action with Faculty

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Theoretical Framework 

Four Conditions for Optimal Doctoral Completion

Condition Description

Condition #1: The right people apply for doctoral study  

Applicants must be realistic about the demands and expectations of doctoral study 

Condition #2: The right applicants are admitted as doctoral students

Admissions committees must properly screen applicants and, upon enrollment, orient them to the program

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Theoretical Framework, (cont.)

Four Conditions for Optimal Doctoral Completion

Condition Description

Condition #3: Students and faculty form productive working relationships

Faculty members and students must interact in a mutually respectful and task oriented manner

Condition #4: Students experience social support from fellow students.

Students must recognize themselves as members of a community of learners facing common challenges and opportunities

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Theoretical Framework

Data Based Interventions

Completion data

Interviews with Faculty and Students

Structured Self Assessment by each department

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Collaborative Action with Faculty

Faculty buy-in – program level change

Data are provided to departments to optimize doctoral completion

Self study at department level

Goal setting at department level

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Principal Project Activities

Conferences

Data Collection/ IT Systems to track

Research and Publications

Collaborative Planning with the Dean

Creation of unified website

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Conferences1st Conference- June 2005

• Theoretical framework (including key concepts & definitions)

• Data issues

• Engage faculty in the process

2nd Conference- February 2007

• Department accomplishments

• Strategies for accomplishing each condition in framework

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Data Collection

Preparation of templates for CGS

Data Verification

Improving data systems on campus

Establishment of benchmarks

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Research and Publications

Interview based study with faculty and students

4 research briefs

Program practices

Benchmarks

Producing strategy sheets

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Collaborative Planning

Full faculty discussions

Role of the Dean

• Face to face meeting with deans and deal with resistance

• Charge them for structure of self assessment

• Review and Revise data and goals

• Analysis of Program practices

• Self assessment – Benchmarks

• Goal setting

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Project Website

http://www.grad.uga.edu/cgs/

Information is key to success

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Project Publications- Research Brief #1

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Resources

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.

Project Website

http://www.grad.uga.edu/cgs/

Strategic Intervention for Doctoral CompletionA collaborative initiative to understand and improve completion.