Higher Education Policy Internships Handbook April 2014
Foreword This handbook describes the features of the higher education policy internship program offered through the University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD). The internships will offer students the opportunity to: Work in a professional office with some of the leading higher education policy experts in Minnesota, Be paid for their work, and Earn 3-6 graduate credits (OLPD 5096). Coursework will help students apply higher education theory and their research skills toward the important issues being faced by policy-makers. The program is available to students enrolled in either a Masters or Doctoral program who are interested in higher education and policy analysis. Host organizations will have the opportunity to obtain the services of emerging scholars interested in higher education policy. The cost to organizations is very reasonable, while the benefits of scholarly research will be enormous. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Dr. John Asmussen, Higher Education Internship Coordinator, by e-mail at Asmus027@umn.edu. i
Table of Contents Foreword... i Profiles of Host Organizations... 1 Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC)... 2 Minnesota Office of Higher Education... 4 University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Research: Leadership Education and Development Undergraduate Programs (LEAD-UP)... 5 University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Research: Global Programs and Strategy Alliance... 7 Walden University Office of Institutional Research & Assessment... 9 Student Responsibilities... 11 Higher Education Policy Internship Agreement... 12 Course Overview (OLPD 5096)... 13 ii
Profiles of Host Organizations The following expectations have been developed for organizations that wish to host an internship position: 1. Create necessary budget and human resources structure to support internship position(s) 2. Submit a position profile to OLPD Internship Coordinator. 3. Interview and select candidates for internship positions (April/May 2014) 4. Sign an internship agreement with the student (see sample form later in this handbook) 5. Designate a supervisor/mentor for each intern 6. Provide opportunities for interns to work on professional level policy related assignments (students must complete at least 150 hours of professional work to satisfy the course requirements) 7. Provide evaluations of interns at the end of each semester (organizations may use their standard employee evaluation forms or obtain alternative forms from the Higher Education Policy Internship Coordinator). The following higher education policy organizations have submitted position profiles for the 2014-15 academic year (see copies of the profiles on the following pages): Midwestern Higher Education Compact Minnesota Office of Higher Education University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Research Walden University Office of Institutional Research & Assessment Students are able to pursue internships with other organizations that have a role in higher education policy. Other organizations that could provide internship opportunities include other higher education offices of institutional research, state and federal government offices, and nonprofit organizations. The higher education internship coordinator or other OLPD faculty members are available to assist students with locating other opportunities that are suitable for this program. 1
Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC) MHEC research assistants assist with data collection and analysis as well as preparation of policy briefs and research reports. Opportunities may also be available to provide administrative support for programmatic initiatives. Research assistants work 10 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters (excluding academic breaks) and are paid $15-18/hour, depending on degree level and experience. The positions do not include tuition benefits. General Description of Duties 1) Respond to external inquiries about policy issues in the MHEC region. 2) Conduct literature reviews for policy/research briefs, research proposals, and grant applications. 3) Assist in preparing manuscripts for publication. 4) Author or co-author policy/research briefs and manuscripts. 5) Collect data from online databases and produce figures and tables from data. 6) Assist with the development and administration of surveys. 7) Develop slide decks for executive presentations on public issues using PowerPoint or other tools. 8) Participate in local meetings and forums on postsecondary education matters. 9) Assist with the MHEC annual meeting and policy summit. 10) Provide administrative support for programmatic initiatives and general research functions as opportunities arise and as directed by supervisors. Required: - Knowledge of public policy issues in higher education - Experience working with data in Excel (e.g., pivot tables, graphic displays) - Detail-orientation - Interest in postsecondary educational policy and research - Strong writing skills - Experience writing literature reviews Preferred: - Completion of at least six courses in the study of higher education - Knowledge of college student development theory and practice - Experience using SPSS - Experience using IPEDS data - Current enrollment in a doctoral program 2
Examples of programmatic initiatives: Policy Summit http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/20140122_polsummit_framework.pdf Tuning http://www.mhec.org/programs/tuning Closing the Gap http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/1_minnesota.pdf Difficult Dialogues http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/2012difficultdialogues_heartland_perspectives.pdf Examples of research projects: MHEC Annual State Report (September to December) http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/state_report_docs/201213kspolindicator_rpt_0.pdf Policy Brief http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/20130516state-constitutional-provisions-higheredgovernance.pdf Research Brief http://www.mhec.org/sites/mhec.org/files/eerptmn.pdf How to apply: Please submit a cover letter, CV, a writing sample, and two references to Aaron Horn, aaronh@mhec.org Position is open until filled. MHEC is an equal opportunity employer. 3
Minnesota Office of Higher Education The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (the Office) is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends. The Minnesota State Grant Program is the largest financial aid program administered by the Office, awarding more than $180 million in need-based grants to Minnesota residents attending eligible colleges and universities in Minnesota. The agency oversees other state scholarship programs, tuition reciprocity programs, a student loan program, Minnesota's 529 College Savings Plan, licensing and an early college awareness program and initiatives for youth. Mission To advance the promise of higher education to all Minnesotans and provide the critical information that guides higher education decisions. Through our advocacy and actions, we work to: achieve student financial access to postsecondary education; enable students to choose among postsecondary education options; protect and inform consumers; produce independent, statewide information on postsecondary education; and facilitate interaction among and collaborate with organizations that share responsibility for education in Minnesota. Research @ the Office Research and policy analysts at OHE collect and analyze data to provide information for state planning, policy formation and decision-making. A primary responsibility of the staff is to ensure the integrity of data it provides to the Governor, the Minnesota Legislature, decisionmakers and students and families. OHE analysts provide data and analysis for Minnesota needs, and collaborate at the state and national level with institutions of higher education, policy and research centers and government agencies to promote best practices and inform discourse. Current research staff includes one part-time and six full-time analysts. Internships The purpose of this paid internship is to provide assistance to the Office in research activities, in the areas of access, retention, completion, financial aid, accountability, K-12/postsecondary alignment, workforce development, higher education finance and state policy. The intern will assist the Office by conducting literature reviews, writing policy briefs and research reports, collecting and analyzing data, conducting environmental scans, developing content for the Office s webpages and responding to requests for information or data. The intern will also assist with research-related projects associated with programs administered by the Office. Current research projects include: evaluation of state financial aid programs, state policies incentivizing retention and completion, institutional performance metrics and college readiness. Application Process Information available at http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mpg.cfm?pageid=339. Submit a cover letter and resume to the hiring manager, Meredith Fergus at meredith.fergus@state.mn.us. 4
University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Research: Leadership Education and Development Undergraduate Programs (LEAD-UP) Institution Description The University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus) is one of the largest Universities in the country with 52,000 students enrolled last year. A public, land grant, research-intensive institution, the University of Minnesota offers baccalaureate, master s, and doctoral degrees in virtually every field. The Twin Cities campus encompasses three different campus areas: the east and west banks of the Mississippi River, as well as in St. Paul. Department Description The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) at the University of Minnesota collects and analyzes data to provide information for institutional planning, policy formation, and decision-making. Among OIR's primary responsibilities is ensuring the integrity of the data it provides to University decision-makers, governmental agencies, and other internal and external constituencies. OIR is also a leader in cutting-edge research, exploring new analytical methods, and designing and implementing surveys and other data collection tools. OIR not only provides data and analysis for University of Minnesota needs, but also collaborates at the national level with other institutions of higher education, policy and research centers, and government agencies to promote best practices and inform discourse. The Leadership Education and Development Undergraduate Programs (LEAD-UP) office, a division of the Office for Student Affairs, is the primary University resource for students interested in developing their leadership knowledge and skills. The Director of LEAD-UP is also providing service to the Division of Student Affairs in the area of research and assessment. Position Description The Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development Intern will work with the Office of Institutional Research Analyst and the Director of the Leadership Education and Development Undergraduate Programs (LEAD-UP) office in analyzing and publishing institutional data related to the assessment of leadership development at the University of Minnesota. The individual in this position will help to develop several facets of assessment for the LEAD-UP office, with a primary focus on data analysis and reporting of assessment using the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey data. Responsibilities include: Analyze Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) data collected by the Office of Institutional Research. Analyze qualitative data from a variety of sources (e.g., document analysis, interview data, etc.). Interpret and write-up results for various stakeholder audiences. Prepare executive summary reports, develop presentations, and write literature reviews as needed. Prepare drafts for publication and co-author papers as needed. Serve as a member of and attend meetings of the LEAD-UP Assessment Working Group. 5
Required Qualifications Master s degree in progress in a relevant field (e.g. evaluation studies, assessment and measurement, higher education administration, student affairs, educational psychology). Experience with quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis. Strong critical thinking skills, including demonstrated ability to approach problems objectively, draw conclusions, and develop recommendations. Experience working independently and managing multiple deadlines and priorities. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others and to use sound judgment and initiative. Experience and skill in gathering, editing, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data. Proficiency using various data processing and statistical software (specifically SPSS, Excel, and NVivo). Experience with desktop publishing software Adobe InDesign CS4. Experience working with large data sets from multiple sources. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to synthesize and translate complex data for use by policy and decision makers. Experience and skill preparing reports and presenting findings and recommendations clearly, diplomatically, and in a variety of formats to a variety of audiences. Excellent organizational abilities. Compensation Interns will work during the summer with compensation of $17 per hour. Location Interns will work in the Office of Institutional Research (272 McNamara Alumni Center Building) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contacts Krista Soria, PhD Analyst, Office of Institutional Research University of Minnesota 272-4 McNamara Alumni Center Building 200 Oak St. Minneapolis, MN 55455 ksoria@umn.edu, 612.624.1649 June Nobbe, PhD Director, LEAD-UP University of Minnesota 209 Appleby Hall 128 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 nobbe001@umn.edu, 612-625-6531 6
University of Minnesota Office of Institutional Research: Global Programs and Strategy Alliance Institution Description The University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus) is one of the largest Universities in the country with 52,000 students enrolled last year. A public, land grant, research-intensive institution, the University of Minnesota offers baccalaureate, master s, and doctoral degrees in virtually every field. The Twin Cities campus encompasses three different campus areas: the east and west banks of the Mississippi River, as well as in St. Paul. Department Description The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) at the University of Minnesota collects and analyzes data to provide information for institutional planning, policy formation, and decision-making. Among OIR's primary responsibilities is ensuring the integrity of the data it provides to University decision-makers, governmental agencies, and other internal and external constituencies. OIR is also a leader in cutting-edge research, exploring new analytical methods, and designing and implementing surveys and other data collection tools. OIR not only provides data and analysis for University of Minnesota needs, but also collaborates at the national level with other institutions of higher education, policy and research centers, and government agencies to promote best practices and inform discourse. The Global Programs and Strategy Alliance (GPS Alliance) is the central international office for the University of Minnesota system. The GPS Alliance is the driving force for the University of Minnesota in globalizing teaching, learning, research, and engagement. We support the University's mission by working closely with campuses, colleges, units, faculty and staff, students, and the community to comprehensively internationalize the University of Minnesota. Position Description The Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development Intern will work with the Office of Institutional Research Analyst and the Director of the Curriculum and Campus Internationalization of the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance (GPS Alliance) office in analyzing and publishing institutional data related to the assessment of undergraduate global and international experiences at the University of Minnesota. The individual in this position will help to develop several facets of assessment for the GPS Alliance office, with a primary focus on data analysis and reporting of assessment using the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey data. Responsibilities include: Analyze Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) data collected by the Office of Institutional Research. Interpret and write-up results for various stakeholder audiences. Prepare executive summary reports, develop presentations, and write literature reviews as needed. Prepare drafts for publication and co-author papers as needed. Serve as a member of and attend meetings of the GPA Alliance Assessment Working Group. 7
Required Qualifications Master s degree in progress in a relevant field (e.g. evaluation studies, assessment and measurement, higher education administration, student affairs, educational psychology). Experience with quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis. Strong critical thinking skills, including demonstrated ability to approach problems objectively, draw conclusions, and develop recommendations. Experience working independently and managing multiple deadlines and priorities. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others and to use sound judgment and initiative. Experience and skill in gathering, editing, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data. Proficiency using various data processing and statistical software (specifically SPSS, Excel, and NVivo). Experience with desktop publishing software Adobe InDesign CS4. Experience working with large data sets from multiple sources. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to synthesize and translate complex data for use by policy and decision makers. Experience and skill preparing reports and presenting findings and recommendations clearly, diplomatically, and in a variety of formats to a variety of audiences. Excellent organizational abilities. Compensation. Interns will work during the summer with compensation of $17 per hour. Location Interns will work in the Office of Institutional Research (272 McNamara Alumni Center Building) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contacts Krista Soria, PhD Analyst, Office of Institutional Research University of Minnesota 272-4 McNamara Alumni Center Building Minneapolis, MN 55455 ksoria@umn.edu, 612.624.1649 Gayle Woodruff, PhD Director, Curriculum and Internationalization Global Programs and Strategy Alliance University of Minnesota 100 University International Center Minneapolis, MN 55414 gwoodruf@umn.edu, 612-625-6065 8
Walden University Office of Institutional Research & Assessment For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 50,000 students from all 50 states and more than 145 countries are pursuing their bachelor s, master s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network a global network of more than 75 campus-based and online universities in 30 countries. Walden offers more than 75 degree programs with more than 385 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.waldenu.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Brief Job Description The intern will perform the basic duties of an institutional research analyst, including: analyzing and reviewing student, faculty, and alumni data designing web-based surveys assisting in fulfillment of reporting responsibilities Support a broad range of other assignments for the office of Institutional Research & Assessment Participate in regional institutional research organization Work 20hrs/week onsite List of Specific Duties Survey design and analysis Literature reviews External survey completion Qualitative analysis (open-ended coding) Minimum Qualifications Bachelor s degree Qualitative and quantitative analytical skills Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written Must be able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects in a fast paced environment Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and communicate with all levels of management Intermediate knowledge of MS Office tools Experience using statistical software (SPSS) 9
Application Process Apply online: http://jobs.brassring.com/1033/asp/tg/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=25502&siteid=5229&are q=3433br Compensation and Benefits $15/hour Access to Walden online library Key Contact Person Kelly Coleman, Recruiter 10
Student Responsibilities To be eligible for the Higher Education Policy Internship Program, students must: Have completed at least one year of graduate school in a program related to higher education, public administration, policy analysis, or program evaluation. Be Interested in public policy issues related to higher education. Be selected by a host organization for an internship that will provide at least 150 hours of professional work experience. Submit a copy of the signed internship agreement to the Higher Education Policy Internship Coordinator. Agree to register for OLPD 5096 in the Fall 2014 semester. Optional second course may be offered in the Spring 2015 semester. Students must negotiate the terms of their internship with the host organization, subject to the employment practices of each organization. Terms should include: Hours and schedule of work during each semester Rate of pay and benefits, if any. Work location. Agreed upon learning objectives. Types of professional projects. Students are obligated to adhere to their work schedule or provide timely notice of variances for illnesses or other unforeseen absences. Furthermore, they are expected to Comply with organizational project methodologies and project deadlines. Adhere to professional standards regarding workplace conduct, including behavior in the workplace, use of organizational equipment and facilities, workplace attire, and hygiene. Strictly adherence to requirements related to data security and disclosure requirements. Execute an internship agreement with their host organization. Complete a self-evaluation and host evaluation at end of each semester. The Higher Education Policy Internship Coordinator will provide forms for students to complete these evaluations. Provide the Higher Education Policy Internship Coordinator with copies of all completed evaluation forms, including the evaluation received from their supervisor, the student s self-evaluation, and evaluation of the host organization. 11
Higher Education Policy Internship Agreement Student Name Student E-Mail Address: Student Phone Number: Semester(s) of Agreement (check all that apply): Summer 2014 Fall 2014 Spring 2015 Information on Host Organization Organization Name: Organization Address: Supervisor s Name & Title: Supervisor s E-Mail Address: Supervisor s Phone Number A. Responsibilities of Student Intern I agree to fulfill the student responsibilities cited in the Higher Education Internship Handbook and adhere to the employment practices of my host organization. I will complete at least 150 hours of professional work experience and register for OLPD 5096 in the Fall 2014 semester. Student Signature and Date B. Responsibilities of Supervisor I agree to fulfill the responsibilities of the host organizations, as cited in the Higher Education Internship Handbook and help the student intern gain professional skills and knowledge. Supervisor Signature and Date C. Affirmation of Higher Education Internship Coordinator This internship will satisfy the work experience requirement of OLPD 5096 and I affirm that the student has registered for this course in the Fall 2014 semester. Higher Education Internship Coordinator Signature and Date: 12
Course Overview (OLPD 5096) As a condition of participating in this internship programs, students agree to register for and complete OLPD 5096 in the Fall of 2014. An optional second course may be offered in the Spring of 2015, depending on interest. Because of the work experience requirements of the internship, seat time for the course will be reduced accordingly. Two to three class sessions will be scheduled prior to the start of the Fall 2014 semester. The classes will be seminar style discussions that will facilitate a thoughtful exchange among the students about their internship experiences and explore the challenges of bridging theory and practice in making higher education policy. The course website, available through the University of Minnesota on its Moodle system, will provide students with advance information for completing course assignments. Students are expected to maintain a journal throughout their internship work experience and record information needed to complete course assignments. Students must prepare two short papers (5-10 pages each) as part of their course requirements. The first paper, due at mid-semester, will provide a description and analysis of the role of their host organization for making higher education policy. The second paper, due at the end of the semester, will identify the top higher education policy issues, explaining why each issue is important and the challenges policy makers are likely to face in addressing them. Students must give presentations about their two papers in one of the class sessions. Finally, students must submit copies of all evaluation forms to the Higher Education Policy Internship Coordinator to complete their course requirements. 13