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First Learning Outcome: How to conduct an organizational assessment
Second Learning Outcome: How to work with leaders/managers to support them through the process of managing change
Third Learning Outcome: How to engage all members of the community to have a voice and build buy-in before and after a reorganization
Core Competencies: Change Management, Holistic and Systemic Thinking
Proficiencies: Enrollment Management: SEM Leadership, Enrollment Management: Staffing Leadership
Intended Audience: Significant experience in the profession, Senior management (President, Provost, Vice President, Vice Provost)
Undergoing a Transformational Change to Support the Student Experience
Category
Session
Description
In 2017, George Washington University initiated an effort to improve the student experience and create a culture that is more welcoming and supportive of students. In order to provide a more cohesive experience throughout all phases of the student lifecycle, from admission and enrollment through graduation and beyond, the provost announced the creation of a new organizational structure, Enrollment and the Student Experience and launched a process designed to improve the organizational philosophy and student services practices with a new approach incorporating enrollment, retention and student life into one expanded division.
This transformational change resulted in an organizational realignment of more than 250 professional staff members from two previously distinct units (Enrollment Management & Retention and Student Affairs) and required a comprehensive organizational review and assessment including individual interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders and constituents, the review of available internal data, and engagement with external experts on best practices. Enrollment and the Student Experience now includes eight business units organized around and grounded in a set of clearly defined core values determined by the new leadership team through a collaborative and iterative process: Collaborative, Student Centered, Comprehensive. The change to the organizational approach and structure has included attention to the ongoing support and development of the unit’s new leadership team as well as the engagement of key partners and constituents outside the unit to affect institutional culture change more broadly. Efforts have led to a more integrated and thoughtful approach to decision making, a greater use of data to inform and support the shared work, and a deeper and more collaborative engagement within ESE as well as with key partners across the university to provide a more seamless approach to the student experience.
Laurie Koehler, Senior Vice Provost for Enrollment and the Student Experience, and Jennifer Desjarlais, Principal with Cambridge Hill Partners,will present GW’s approach to the process and engage participants in a discussion about lessons learned through this process and what is required for leadership in approaching this type of transformational reorganization.
Submission ID:
7831
Presenter(s):
Laurie Koehler The George Washington University
Jennifer Desjarlais Cambridge Hill Partners