MCC Daily Tribune

Academic and Student Affairs Reorganization

My top priority as the new Provost/Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs was to understand the work accomplished prior to February 2023 and how this work aligned with the College’s strategic plan as well as the projected outcomes of our key performance indicators. As part of my onboarding, and in conjunction with President Burt-Nanna’s leadership, the first several weeks of my tenure involved examining all of the written feedback, listening to stakeholders, understanding the process and of course entertaining thoughts, ideas and strategies that may not have been brought forth yet. I also tapped into my experience with prior restructuring initiatives at other institutions and learned as much about the culture and climate of MCC as possible during this time.

On Monday and Wednesday of this week, I presented the newly refined and updated organizational structure for the Academic and Student Affairs Division based on this work. The organization chart is attached. We will move the reorganization forward over the next few months and have the majority of the restructuring done by the start of the fall semester.

Because one of our highest priorities involves enhancing our ability to retain and graduate students, an organizational structure that serves students on the front line (whether in the classroom or in our non-academic settings) requires a structure that minimizes duplication of services, eliminates siloed communication and fosters student success in every role of the division. This newly reimagined configuration of Academic and Student Affairs does just that.

With a newly created position focusing on student success and effective strategies around retention and completion, we position ourselves so that academic advising becomes a central focus of our student success strategies. With elevated leadership in this office, we can more effectively engage students in meaningful and more targeted ways designed to increase their likelihood of success. Our academic affairs functions are now aligned so leadership can maximize talent in their respective units while elevating the importance of quality curriculum and faculty development. The entire structure is designed to encourage communication across all units in the division and foster collaboration, creativity and execution of advanced strategies to improve enrollment, retention and completion.

During the next several months, we will conduct searches for the AVP, Student Development and the AVP, Student Success & Strategic Initiatives. Our immediate work is to finalize these job descriptions, work with SCAA on a process and timeline to ensure our shared governance processes are followed, and determine whether a search firm will be utilized. Additionally, realignment of functions impacted by the newly developed AVP, Student Success and Initiatives position and that office’s reimagined structure will begin.

A deeper analysis of every ASA leader’s functional area, including reporting structures and job descriptions will occur. Ultimately, how we work towards student success in the academic and student affairs division will fully engage a spirit of collaboration and a student-centered focus. It is likely that the organizational chart as presented this week might look slightly different by the time we reach full implementation in August 2023 but any recommended changes moving forward will be minor and likely not require further review by the faculty senate and/or ELT. It goes without saying that all contractual agreements, deadlines, due dates and processes will be fully honored in the process.

If you require assistance accessing the attached organizational chart, please email Kelsey Bright (kbright3@monroecc.edu) or (588) 292-2196.

Attached Files:
Proposed Organizational Chart.pdf

Margaret Semmer
Academic Services
03/09/2023