Higher Ed Advisor: West Chester University connects student readiness with student success

Welcome to Higher Ed Advisor, the Baker Tilly podcast series where we speak with higher education industry leaders about practical and proactive guidance to help colleges and universities protect and enhance their value.

This podcast is the 12th episode in our fiscal resiliency series for higher education institutions.

What helps contribute to student success in higher education? As West Chester University (WCU) President, Chris Fiorentino, and Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Laurie Bernotsky, point out, it involves meeting student needs by connecting student readiness with student success. Chris and Laurie return to our Higher Ed Advisor fiscal resiliency podcast series to expand on the link between optimizing academic program array at colleges and universities and the importance of being student ready. Further, they provide a holistic view of academic program array and model how institutions can determine the number of sustainable programs based on student and institutional needs.

Listen to this engaging conversation to learn about approaches that can improve student retention and fiscal resiliency across higher education, such as:

• Using meta programs or exploratory studies to assist students with determining their college majors, degrees and career pathways
• Providing wraparound services to address any student gaps and ongoing needs
• Assessing institutional policies and procedure gaps that potentially hinder student success
• Creating and institutional-wide alignment and mindset around being student ready

Plus, hear about other initiatives that have helped West Chester University improve outcomes for both their institution and their students.

Meet this episode’s guest speakers:

• Christopher Fiorentino, President, West Chester University
• Dr. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky, Executive Vice President and Provost, West Chester University