William Woods University(WWU) has long been lauded as a great college destination for non-traditional students. Now, the university will have another resource in ensuring their success while at WWU, through participation in a new initiative called the Student Journey Mapping Project, facilitated by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD).
The MDHEWD Student Journey Mapping Project is an initiative that will provide a valuable process by which participating universities will better understand the variables impacting student engagement and retention, especially non-traditional students. William Woods is one of 12 Missouri universities that were chosen for the initiative.
“We are thrilled to have been selected to take part in the Student Journey Mapping Project, which will only strengthen our capacity to better serve non-traditional, underrepresented student populations,” said Dr. Jeremy Moreland, President of William Woods University. “Through this initiative, we look forward to gaining an increased capacity to map our students’ journey before coming to WWU, then continuing during their advising, registration, matriculation and extending the process beyond graduation.”
The workshop aligns closely with the WWU strategic plan, including engaging learners in high-impact experiences to promote intellectual inquiry, developing unique and engaging methods for delivering education to stakeholders and diversifying educational opportunities to position the university as an innovator in education.
“Student journey mapping can powerfully impact a university in a variety of ways in terms of serving non-traditional students,” said Dr. Katie Friesen, Director of First-Year Experience and Assistant Professor of Education at WWU. “These include an enhanced student experience, improved retention rates, better informed decision-making, personalized learning pathways and enhanced communication and collaboration, all factors that are crucial to student success.”
In addition to Dr. Friesen, who is serving as the project lead in the workshop, other members of the interdisciplinary, cross-area collaborative effort at The Woods include Dr. Ted Blashak, Senior Vice-President and Chief Student Experience Officer; Dr. Tony Andenoro, Vice-President for Leadership and Professor; Dr. Andy Otto, Vice-President of Enrollment Services and Kathy Groves, Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships.
For more on the MDHEWD Student Journey Mapping Project, please go here:
