We celebrated spring convocation with the documentary film, "Unlikely: In Pursuit of a Better U." The film, which “investigates the college dropout crisis and the systemic barriers students face in their pursuit of an education and livable-wage career,” was viewed by a large crowd of students, faculty, staff and community members. An enlightening panel discussion, moderated by Mary Stagaman, senior inclusion advisor for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber, ensued and included Ande Durojaiye, ؾ vice provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs; Tim Hanner, founder and president of NaviGo College and Career Prep Services; Brandelyn Tosolt, associate professor in ؾ’s department of Teacher Education; and ؾ students Janiah Miller (Integrative Studies) and Cyndy Rodewald (Social Work).
The stories of the five students that were profiled are reminiscent of so many of our own students. As a follow-up to the spring convocation, we hosted several TalkShops for anyone to share their reactions to the film and ideas the university could potentially think about incorporating into its strategic framework. We owe it to our students, as well as the communities they we serve, to aggressively pursue an understanding of the obstacles they may face. Spring Convocation was another step in what we hope will be an ongoing exploration of the challenges to higher education.
Please join us in the pursuit of making access, completion, and career & community engagement more “likely” for more people through the development of bold, innovative student-centered strategies.
