Sam Houston State University (SHSU) provides a variety of student-oriented programs and services through the Division of Student Affairs, the Division of Enrollment Management, and the Division of Academic Affairs. These include:
As described in Standard 12.1, all three divisions are dedicated to providing services and programs that promote student learning and development and help accomplish the mission of the institution. Organizational charts for the Divisions of Enrollment Management [1], Student Affairs [2], and Academic Affairs [3] highlight the specialties of each division and reveal the delegation of leadership responsibilities.
SHSU is committed to employing an adequate number of qualified staff within each academic and student support unit. Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Academic Affairs staff members are provided opportunities for professional development both on campus as well as off campus as means of ensuring that they remain current with their respective fields. Finance and Operations Human Resource Policy for Employee Development states that “it is the policy of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) to provide professional development training promoting professional growth in support of life-long learning and to enhance the competency and expertise of its employees” [4]. To this end, the institution has established The Learning Academies@SHSU, a professional development program aimed at enabling SHSU staff to excel [5]. Through the Learning Academies@SHSU, staff have access to a year-round schedule of available programs to include topics in leadership, conflict resolution, communication, creativity and innovation, and policy interpretation [6]. In January 2014, the SHSU President’s Cabinet committed to promoting staff development by requiring all staff to complete at least 8 hours annually (12 hours for managerial staff) of professional development. Staff development at SHSU is advertised, documented, and often delivered through a learning management system, Talent Management. Talent Management provides SHSU staff with access to the courses within the Learning Academies@SHSU, as well as to numerous other online staff development courses [7]. Enrollment in staff development courses can be voluntary or assigned by the employee’s supervisor or University administration. Employees can register for instructor-led trainings related to such topics as Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Ethics, Communication, Team Building, and Banner. Training subjects also include a Management Academy, Training University, Skill Soft Learning, Computer Training, and New Hire Training.
In addition to individual course development offerings, SHSU offers a High Potential Employee Leadership Academy, a 9-month experience that involves a series of monthly development sessions that address key leadership topics for emerging leaders from SHSU, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the City of Huntsville, and Huntsville ISD [8]. Each year, a cohort of emerging leaders from each entity is nominated and subsequently selected to participate. To date, 39 SHSU faculty and staff members from both academic and academic support units have participated in the intensive leadership training program.
In addition to professional development courses provided by SHSU, University staff maintain active membership and participation in national, state, regional, and local professional organizations and associations [9] [10] as evidenced in the résumés and vitae provided in the table below. Further, staff participate in regular departmental meetings as well as retreats that provide additional opportunities for professional development. Staff members are encouraged to utilize employee development programs hosted by the University, such as the Employee Education Assistance Program, classes offered through Continuing Education, and computer services training workshops [4].
More specific to the duties within each support unit (i.e., office procedures and operations), staff are provided training by their respective departmental supervisors upon initial hire and ongoing throughout their employment as is deemed necessary through the annual performance appraisal cycle (described in detail following). Many departments also provide operational manuals and handbooks germane to their respective areas that further acquaint new employees with office procedures and policies. Examples are provided [11] [12].
To ensure the continuance of quality in programs and services delivered by each of the divisions’ departments, all staff in the divisions are evaluated following the University’s policy for conducting staff evaluations. The Staff Evaluation System at SHSU is governed by Human Resources Policy ER-6 [13]. According to this policy, the purpose of evaluation is as follows:
To establish a systematic staff evaluation system for staff employees utilizing an annual performance appraisal process that will serve as a basis for merit pay increases (when available), employee development, and promotion decisions necessary to develop and maintain an effective and efficient staff workforce.
Every employee receives an annual one-on-one evaluation with his or her supervisor as a means of identifying areas for improvement and establishing plans for the upcoming year.
One means by which departments are able to determine if their units are effectively accomplishing their missions with existing staffing resources is through the annual outcomes assessment process. The respective division vice presidents have the responsibility for directing assessment efforts, determining divisional goals, and guiding departments in constructing outcomes that are relevant and meaningful. Information collected through the annual outcomes assessment cycle, described in detail in Standards 7.3, 8.2.a, 8.2.b, and 8.2.c, is used by departments and programs to drive continuous improvement within their units and document progress in achieving their mission.
As part of the assessment and budgeting processes, each year the President’s Cabinet and Council of Academic Deans attend a budget retreat at which key institutional data is presented and reviewed in conjunction with budget requests [14]. As part of this review, the group examines trends in enrollment, operational budgets, and staffing levels. Specifically, data are presented to demonstrate trends in the operational budgets of divisions as a function of the full-time equivalent number of staff within that division. Taken together, data on enrollment trends, operational budgets, and staffing levels are used to determine the adequacy of the number of staff within these units.
The effectiveness and quality of the services and programs offered by the Division of Student Affairs, the Division of Enrollment Management, and the Division of Academic Affairs result from engaging in continual assessment efforts, ensuring staff development for all employees, adhering to good hiring practices, and evaluating staff on a regular basis.
The following table provides a list of key staff personnel in academic and student support units within the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs with links to job descriptions and qualifications.
Key Staff Personnel in Academic and Student Support Units
The following table provides the number of staff employed within each student support unit and does not include faculty positions (i.e., faculty advisors, faculty librarians, etc.) or student workers. As of the spring 2018 semester, SHSU, across all units, employed 1,457 student workers and 347 graduate assistants to support the full and part-time staff employed within those units.
Number of Staff Personnel in Academic and Student Support Units
| Division | Department | Number of Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Affairs | Academic Success Center | 8 |
| Academic Affairs | Newton Gresham Library | 31 |
| Academic Affairs | Office of Graduate Studies | 7 |
| Academic Affairs | Office of the Provost | 12 |
| Academic Affairs | SHSU Online | 48 |
| Academic Affairs | Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center | 23 |
| Enrollment Management | Accepted Students and Bearkat Orientation | 3 |
| Enrollment Management | Admissions | 29 |
| Enrollment Management | Career Services | 13 |
| Enrollment Management | Division of Enrollment Management | 5 |
| Enrollment Management | Enrollment Management Program Marketing | 8 |
| Enrollment Management | Institutional Effectiveness | 10 |
| Enrollment Management | Registrar’s Office | 24 |
| Enrollment Management | Student Financial Aid | 36 |
| Enrollment Management | Veterans Resource Center | 4 |
| Enrollment Management | Visitor Services | 10 |
| Student Affairs | Bearkat OneCard | 6 |
| Student Affairs | Counseling Center | 17 |
| Student Affairs | Dean of Students | 7 |
| Student Affairs | Equity/Inclusion and Title IX | 3 |
| Student Affairs | Leadership Initiatives | 4 |
| Student Affairs | Lowman Student Center | 15.25 |
| Student Affairs | Recreational Sports | 22.25 |
| Student Affairs | Residence Life | 24 |
| Student Affairs | Residence Life Maintenance | 21.75 |
| Student Affairs | Services for Students with Disabilities | 8 |
| Student Affairs | Student Activities | 9 |
| Student Affairs | Student Affairs | 4 |
| Student Affairs | Student Health Center | 25.75 |
| Student Affairs | Student Legal and Mediation Services | 2.5 |
| Student Affairs | Student Money Management Center | 4 |