Student Success in Teaching, Research, and Service Activities
Columbus State University is dedicated to developing students who excel in academic, professional, and personal pursuits during their matriculation and post-graduation. The USG’s student success initiatives along with our institution’s core values guide the measurement of student success for our faculty, staff and campus community.
Faculty are evaluated annually on the student success activities. In general, faculty are encouraged to
- Connect learning to real-world experiences the student could encounter
- Communicate to students the purpose of assignments, courses, and degree programs
- Challenge students to think critically, solve problems, collaborate, and communicate effectively
- Create an inclusive classroom environment that evokes a sense of belonging
It is the responsibility of the faculty member to provide evidence of their role in actual student accomplishments or their participation in efforts that promote student success. Below are examples of student success activities that can be embedded in teaching, research, creative, and service activities.
The following list of examples of student success activities, by area of effort, was created by faculty colleagues to assist in identifying items faculty may engage in to support student success efforts. The list is not exhaustive and can be utilized as a helpful tool when building your dossier for review. It is up to the faculty member to determine which area of effort they will report the activity.
Teaching and student success activity examples:
Academic Advising (formal or informal)
Building a class community and creating learning opportunities
Course development, including experiential learning activities and active learning courses Developing, supervising, or managing internships or practicum opportunities
Developing course materials to assist with retention
Discussing mental health and submitting Create Care Reports
Engaging at-risk students (First Generation, vets, etc.) in "instructional coach" and "mentoring"
Fostering inclusive discussions
Group activities that teach working together
Guest lecturing
Hands on experience with equipment and instrumentation
Implementing transparency in teaching and learning methods
Inclusion of career center modules in course materials
Incorporating peer mentors into the classroom
Facilitating an independent study
Mentoring undergraduate, graduate students, and professional students
Organizing and attending study groups
Participating in a study abroad, field trips, etc.
Providing multiple forms of feedback (instructor to student, student to student, etc.)
Providing support outside of the classroom (office hours, review sessions, tutoring, student conferencing, one-on-one or group meetings)
Scaffolding big assignments
Student assessment and assurance of learning
Supervising teaching assistants
Teaching awards/recognitions/endorsements/grants
Teaching skills (e.g., data analysis, research design, writing-intensive projects)
Using a learner-centered syllabus
Using active learning and student engagement strategies in class
Using evidence-based teaching strategies
Research and student success activity examples:
Awards/recognitions in research
Coauthoring or co-presenting with students
Conducting educational/scholarship of teaching and learning research projects
Directing undergraduate research
Lunch and learns discussing faculty research open to students
Maintenance of professional licenses and/or certifications
Membership in relevant professional associations
Mentoring (recruiting, directing, collaborating, etc) of undergraduate students, graduate students, professional students in research (data collection, lab techniques, writing grants, writing manuscripts, process of publishing, etc.)
Obtaining external or internal grant funding
Preparing students for conference attendance and presentations (holding practice presentation sessions, teaching how to network, etc.)
Presentations at regional, state, national or international conferences
Professional development activities (e.g., conference attendance, skill development, webinars, coursework, etc.)
Publications (peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, etc.,)
Sponsoring students to attend professional meetings and conferences
Visiting scholars and guest speakers on research
Workshops, seminars, or other attendance at professional conferences
Service and student success activity examples:
Accreditation responsibilities
Arranging mock job interviews, resume reviews, career advice, professionalism skills
Assisting student-led organizations (e.g., student organization sponsor, coaching intramural sports)
Attending volunteer events with students to engage with the community and expand their practical experience
Career advising
Check-ins with students during the summer
Clinical service and/or preceptorship
Committee work (departmental, COEHP, and CSU)
Connecting students with alumni
Consultative service without remuneration
Coordinating internships
Department, college, or university representation at state, national or international levels
Donating professional services such as giving speeches or presenting continuing education programs
Engaging in student-related diversity, equity, and inclusion activities
Facilitating volunteer opportunities for students
Graduate student professionalization
Holding key leadership roles in national, regional, or local organizations
Hosting discussions about wellness, sharing wellness articles and podcasts
Hosting informal gatherings (e.g. coffee meetings, end of semester parties, social events)
Introducing students to potential employers or networking opportunities
Judging/referring at a student poster or oral competition
Leadership roles on committees
Leading book/journal clubs with students
Life coaching and career advice
nominating students for awards;
Participating in orientation sessions, recruiting events, campus events, writing retreats, workshops for student professional development
Participation in P-12 activities
Participation in program/area governance
Partnerships involving students
preparing letters of recommendation and assisting with applications;
Serving as a liaison for internship and job announcements and career development
Serving as a member of an editorial review board, or editing conference proceedings
Serving as a reviewer, discussant, or chair in a national, regional, or local conference
serving as faculty advisor for student clubs/organizations;
Serving on committees related to student success (admissions, assessment, curriculum, scholarships, recruitment, retention)
Special projects and activities
Sponsoring coffee hours/social events
Sponsoring professional development activities for students (e.g., skills workshops)
Sponsoring study abroad programs
Student care and outreach
Student mentoring (capstone projects, honor’s projects, dissertations) or related committee work
Student recruitment and retention
Student-led community service learning activities or community-relevant conferences
Teaching basic professional skills
Writing letters of recommendation
Administration and student success activity examples:
Assigned administrative duties
Chair of departmental, college, or university committees
Coordinating undergraduate or graduate programs
Course scheduling and development of academic calendar, policies, and student support
Internships (supervision of, making placements)
Maintaining certifications and licensures
Program accreditation activities
Support for curriculum development
