Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., is among 40 college and university leaders from across the country serving on the Task Force on Higher Education and Opportunity. The task force was formed to address the major challenges facing students and underserved communities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m honored to be a part of such a dedicated group of higher education leaders focused on improving outcomes for our students and communities,” said Stanley. “This is especially important as the pandemic has disproportionately impacted students from underserved communities. We must do everything we can to help students succeed in a post-pandemic world.”
Task force members are committed to taking individual and collective action to meet their shared mission. As a group, the leaders are working toward three key goals: ensuring student success despite the worst recession in over 50 years, partnering with local communities and reimagining how higher education is delivered.
Member institutions are now launching the first round of initiatives to prepare the graduates of 2021-2023 for success in the post-pandemic economy. MSU will work to enhance participation in My Spartan Story, particularly as students return to a more typical college experience in the fall.
My Spartan Story is defined by learning outcomes utilized throughout the undergraduate education experience. Achieved learning outcomes are directly included on the Spartan Experience Record, which will help students reflect on and make meaning of their out-of-class learning experiences.
“The college experience is far more than your GPA, yet it can be difficult for students to articulate that potential,” Stanley added. “By creating a mechanism for students to formally document efforts outside the classroom, students can develop a more comprehensive picture of their education and skill development.”
During the next year, MSU and the other task force members will develop and roll out initiatives toward supporting local communities and reimaging the future of higher education. An outline of all the programs will be made available for other institutions to use as templates in transforming higher education.