News From the Associate Provost
Feedback and suggestions, especially from the MSU community, welcome: email largent@msu.edu
Thankful for Things to Come
From the Associate Provost
Given how difficult the last nine months have been for all of us, I intend to look forward this year and be thankful for what I see on the horizon.
Expectations and Progress
From the Associate Provost
Much of our sadness and frustration emerges from unmet expectations, and I have found that naming expectations and talking about them has provided me some relief.
Beyond "Doom Scrolling": In Search of New Perspectives
From the Associate Provost
I've been making a concerted effort lately to replace “doom scrolling” with some more productive reading.
Moving Forward with Patience and Kindness
From the Associate Provost
Our task for the next four months is to remember that we are a community and we all depend on one another.
The Opportunity to Stitch a New Garment
From the Associate Provost
The pandemic gives us an unprecedented opportunity to “stitch a new garment” for the university, and I have seen an impressive number of tailors at work among my colleagues.
As Everything Changes, We Must Look Out for Each Other
From the Associate Provost
We are all depending on one another, not just to wear masks and wash our hands, but learn and live together in fair and just ways.
Don’t Waste a Crisis
From the Associate Provost
I have asserted for the last several years that – tradition and habit aside – we ought to be scrutinizing every aspect of MSU to ensure that we are meeting our Land Grant ideals of access, equity, and opportunity.
The Pandemic Has Not Changed Our Commitments—It Has Strengthened Them
From the Associate Provost
We have provided high-quality, life-changing educational experiences through world wars and a civil war, through epidemics and pandemics, and through recessions and depressions. And we will continue to do it.
Working Together Like Never Before
From the Associate Provost
Our colleagues' response to the coronavirus pandemic is an inspiring example of professionalism and collaboration during an unprecedented crisis.
Student success is not just academic
From the Associate Provost
We know from both informal conversations with students and from educational research that students come to MSU and stay here when they feel a sense of belonging at MSU.
Telling Normal Stories
From the Associate Provost
Extraordinary stories also assume a set of standards that are inherently inequitable because it ignores the incredible variety of experiences and types of preparation among Michigan State students.
Student Success Express
From the Associate Provost
Educating students and serving their needs as they learn, thrive, and ultimately graduate are the primary reasons why universities like Michigan State exist.
Reshaping the University for Student Success
From the Associate Provost
This year’s theme of “Transitions: Transfer Students & Major Changes” was presented in a fundamentally different way.
Welcome Home – Cultivating a Sense of Belonging at MSU
From the Associate Provost
This week we welcome more than 10,000 new members to the MSU community, including more than 8,500 first-year students, over a thousand new transfer students, hundreds of new faculty and staff, and even a new president.
Student Success with Lansing Community College
From the Associate Provost
A better-defined pathway for students from LCC to MSU would help more people successfully and affordably earn their bachelor’s degree.
Seeing the Fruits of Our Labor
From the Associate Provost
We accomplished a great deal over the last year, and we added a few very large new projects to our plates for the coming academic year.
Summer Reading
From the Associate Provost
Two books in particular captured my attention - both by MSU authors - and I wanted to share them with you.
The Time for Reflection
From the Associate Provost
Last fall we convened faculty, staff, and administrators for the Student Learning and Success Launch at the Kellogg Center.
Listening, Learning, and Improving
From the Associate Provost
We spend a great deal of time and energy managing the effects of uncertainty, and we are worried for ourselves and for the people with whom we work about the anxieties created by this uncertainty.
Math Reform by the Numbers
From the Associate Provost
Leading indicators, like end-of-first-semester probation rates and credit momentum, can show us the more immediate impact of reform efforts.
Rising Tides and Closing Gaps
From the Associate Provost
The spring 2019 semester began with very good news about student success at MSU. The probation rate for first-year students at MSU fell to its lowest level in recorded history.
Introducing Block Tuition
From the Associate Provost
Late last spring, MSU’s Board of Trustees approved a plan to fundamentally alter the way in which undergraduate students are charged tuition starting in Fall 2019.
A New Orientation
From the Associate Provost
We have begun the process of fundamentally reconceptualizing the process by which students are welcomed into the Michigan State University community.
MSU’s Vision, Mission, and Values for Advancing Student Learning and Success
From the Associate Provost
At the Student Learning and Success Launch, we publicized a document that describes the vision, mission, and values that guide MSU’s work to support and advance our students’ success.
Welcoming the New Year
From the Associate Provost
Mark Largent will take office as the interim Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) and Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies on September 1, 2018.
Student Success 2018 Annual Report
From the Associate Provost
In our 2018 annual report we outline our vision, activities, accomplishments, and plans to increase undergraduate student learning, persistence, and success at Michigan State University.
Transitions
From the Associate Provost
R. Sekhar Chivukula discusses the ongoing and important work of student success as he transitions to a new role at UC San Diego
Develop Your Passion and Purpose: Introducing the Exploratory Preference
From the Associate Provost
The first few semesters of a student's career at MSU can be fruitful in exploring subject areas, co-curricular activities, and considering passion and purpose prior to deciding on a major.
Measures of Student Success: Data and Limitations
From the Associate Provost
At MSU, we believe that all admitted students have the ability to learn, persist, and succeed. We are committed to creating equitable pathways to enable students to do so. We track our progress using data, and present summaries here.
Encourage undergrads to improve student experiences by taking the SERU survey
From the Associate Provost
The Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey is a nationwide survey, and can guide MSU as we work to improve the experiences of our students
Additional Resources
In every arena—academically, socially, interpersonally—Spartans act with integrity. Spartans recognize the value of intellectual work, represent themselves honestly, and prove their trustworthiness in their interactions.
The Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) oversees university-level undergraduate initiatives that support and enhance the undergraduate experience.
