The Importance of Adopting a Whole Institutional Integrated Approach to Improve the Experience, Progression, Retention and Success of our Students and Staff
Keynote Speaker
Time: 9:30am to 10:20am
Presenter: Dr Michelle Morgan - Dean of Students, University of East London
Abstract Higher education is facing unprecedented challenges which are being exacerbated by sector funding issues including reduced government funding, frozen tuition fees, rising costs, and a reliance on international student fees. We are seeing institutional deficits, course closures, and staff redundancies. More is expected to be done with less. More than ever, it is critical not only for the sector to come together as one but for different departments and services within an institution to actively work together if we are to improve the experience, progression, retention and success of our students and staff.
This keynote will:
- Highlight the current challenges and pressures facing higher education in the UK and Europe.
- Explain why understanding the prior learning experiences of our student body on entry and their expectations is so critical in supporting and enabling their progression and success.
- The role that a whole institutional integrated approach throughout the student journey plays in supporting this.
Profile:
Dr Michelle Morgan is a national and internationally recognised Student Experience Transitions Specialist across all levels of study and is extensively published in the area. She is currently Dean of Students at the University of East London. Michelle is a Principal Fellow of the HEA, Fellow of the AUA , an elected council member of UKCGE and Student Minds Mental Health Charter Assessor. During her varied career, Michelle has been a faculty manager, lecturer, researcher and academic manager. She describes herself as a ‘Third Space Integrated Student Experience Practitioner’ who develops initiatives based on pragmatic and practical research. Michelle has over 50 publications and has presented over 100 national and international conference papers (including 58 keynotes and 35 invited papers). She has developed a free portal for staff which provides a range of information and links for anyone interested in improving the student experience in higher education. www.improvingthestudentexperience.com.