MSU provost senses a mindset change from “sieve” toward student success

<p>“Provost is an old military term, and most people aren't too familiar with it outside of the college setting,” Sullivan says. “The provost is the chief academic officer, which means the provost is ultimately responsible for the faculty from hiring to retirement and for the students from admission to graduation.”<br> <br> While Sullivan sees the physical changes to campus since her return to her alma mater, she’s also sensing a mindset change.<br> <br> “The new buildings are quite exciting. That's different. But Michigan State was about this size when I was an undergraduate, and that all feels very familiar, including the fact that this campus never feels crowded despite the number of people who are on it every day. And I think that's partly because of the beautiful grounds, which have always been to me one of the distinguishing factors about Michigan State.<br> <br> “One of the really important changes has been a mindset change from the university as the sieve that is essentially involved in a weeding out function for those who are not worthy to be here. That’s the old phrase about, ‘Look to your right, look to your left. Only one of you will be here.’ I think that's changed to the view that if you got admitted, we have a responsibility to make it possible for you to succeed. And I know President Stanley has an important student success agenda. I think that's a real difference, and it shows up in lots of things. It shows up in the ways we teach, greater attention paid to advising, and generally just making it easier for students to figure out what it is they need to do to graduate. That's different. I would say when I was here it was more a matter of, ‘Here's a maze. Let's see if you're bright enough to run it.’<br> <br> “I'd say it also involves the mindset change all the way down to the individual student. Faculty members need to think about the problems students are having in learning and try to help them overcome those problems. That's often hard. If you're a faculty member, you're really gifted i