Barry University is pleased to announce that Dr. Sandra M. Estanek will be our tenth Founders’ Week Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Estanek’s presentation will explore issues related to student success in Catholic institutions:

How do we foster a culture of retention though Mission:

• What is our institutional responsibility to our student population to ensure their success?
• How do our unique values and Core Commitments guide our retention strategy?
• How do we initiate it, develop it and sustain this important work?
• How do we engage all faculty and staff to take personal responsibility for helping students achieve their educational goals?

Practical examples will be shared about the leadership required to shift to a culture of retention from Dr. Estanek’ s own experience at Canisius College. A roundtable discussion will follow the lecture to offer Barry University students, faculty and staff the opportunity to delve deeper into these issues.

In addition to the Founders’ Week lecture, Dr. Estanek will also be meeting with Barry students to explore their view of ethical leadership. To nominate a student leader for this opportunity, click here.

Readings for the lecture:

Article # 1 (PDF) Genuine Collaboration between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs

Additional recommended readings:

Kuh, G. D., Kinzie, J., Schuh, J. H., & Whitt, E. J. (2010). Student success in college: Creating conditions that matter. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint.

Felten, P., Gardner, J. N., Schroeder, C. C., Lambert, L. M., & Barefoot, B. O. (2016). Undergraduate experience: Focusing institutions on what matters most. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

Dr. Estanek is a professor and chair of the Graduate Education and Leadership Department at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, where she also heads the master’s program in higher education and student affairs administration. Before joining the full time faculty in 2002, she served as a college administrator for 23 years, including 15 years as vice president for student affairs at two different Catholic institutions. Her research specialty is the practice of student affairs at Catholic colleges and universities. She has written and edited many books and articles on topics related to student life, Catholic identity, and mission, including the recent Student Life in Catholic Higher Education: Advancing Good Practice.  She is also co-author, with Patrick Love, of Rethinking Student Affairs Practice. She founded the Institute for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges in 1995, co-founded the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities in 1999, and co-chaired the process that developed the Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities, authoring the final document. 

Please RSVP at https://www.barry.edu/founders-week/.

For more information, contact the Office of Mission Engagement at me@barry.edu or 305-899-3599.