Education
BY JONATHAN PERRIELLO
New student initiative underway at MSU Midwestern State University’s Dillard College of Business Administration is establishing the Dillard Success Initiative geared toward improving student retention rates across the university. The background The initiative began this fall on the heels of a $600,000 donation in August pledged over a three- year period from the Dillard Family Foundation. Gifts from the foundation have historically allowed MSU to elevate the student experience by provid- ing funds for programs that would otherwise be precluded, said Je Stambaugh, dean of the Dillard College of Business Administration. A major factor that contributes to students with- drawing from the university is their struggle making the transition to college along with maintaining academic and social engagement, Stambaugh said. “They need somebody to encourage them. Not
TWU launches new aeronautics program Texas Woman’s University is carving a pathway for women into aviation after the establishment of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences. “TWU is uniquely positioned as an educational institution because they’re a woman’s university,” said Clint Grant, dean of aviation, business and logistics at Tarrant County College. “I don’t know of any other woman’s university in the U.S. that’s doing anything like this.” Grant was recently selected to direct the program at TWU starting Oct. 23. What to expect The professional pilot track is targeted to stu- dents interested in commercial piloting and cer- ti ed ight instructor training. The management track is intended to certify students as commercial pilots while teaching ight operation management skills rather than instructor training.
like a mom and a dad, but somebody standing alongside them, if you will, to help them make that transition,” he said. The Dillard Success Initiative aims to help fresh- men and sophomores be more successful, enjoy their college experience and get them onto a better academic footing. Achieving these in conjunction should help with retention rates, Stambaugh said. What to expect The initiative is divided into two main com- ponents. The rst is a supplemental instruction program for courses students struggle with that o ers guided tutoring sessions to aid students with homework, test reviews or explaining di cult concepts each week, he said. The other component is a mentorship program that will pair rst-semester students with more seasoned students to help introduce them to the university as well as ensure they are involved in activities and forming relationships. This can help ease the transition to college and ensure students are a part of the MSU community, which has a direct impact on their success, Stambaugh said.
"I told the students when I was introducing [the program] to them, ‘My goal here is to have everything for you that I didn't have that I wish I did have,' ... A lot of our mentors have said, “I’m not here for the pay; I’m here because
I really want to help.’" JEANETTE SALAZAR, MSU GRADUATE AND PROJECT COORDINATOR
The Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences program aims to o set the underrepresentation of women in the aviation industry by providing them an alternate path when pursuing their career.
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100 Parker Square Road, Flower Mound www.msutexas.edu/ owermound
304 Administration Drive, Denton, 76204 www.twu.edu
A $15 million donation jump-started the ight program.
COURTESY TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY
LEWISVILLE 2416 S Stemmons Fwy (214) 488-0888
WESTLAKE 2341 Highway 377 (817) 490-9072
DENTON 2315 Colorado Blvd (940) 243-2929
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