Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
We envision a nationally-recognized interdisciplinary research center focused on transformative change in post-secondary education.
Office of Vice President for Research, Western Michigan University
Established: 2014
Profile submitted by Charles Henderson
Vision and Goals
We envision a nationally-recognized interdisciplinary research center focused on transformative change in post-secondary education. Anticipated opening date is January 2014.
- The center will be a focal point for WMU faculty to engage in interdisciplinary collaborative research related to facilitating change in post-secondary education. Affiliated researchers will come from throughout the WMU community.
- The center will serve as a research home for graduate students in existing PhD programs interested in building their scholarly agenda in the area.
- The center will provide support and capacity building for WMU PIs who wish to write grants related to instructional change in postsecondary education.
Center Structure
The center reports to the Provost. There are co-directors at the top level of the reporting structure. Each focus area has an associate director (currently three focus areas). There is also an associate director for operations who manages budgets, staffing, and many other related issues.
Are there advantages of being structured this way?
Are there particular challenges that result from this structure?
Center Funding
Grants from national funding agencies.
How has this funding structure influenced the undergraduate STEM education programming the center offers?
We do not offer undergraduate STEM education programming.
What are the specific advantages of having a center funded in this way?
It would be better to have funding from the University. But, such ongoing funding is quite difficult to arrange.
What are the challenges?
We need to be constantly looking at funding opportunities several years ahead. It is not possible to offer good employees any guarantee of long-term employment.
Has this funding structure has changed over time?
Evaluation and Assessment
How does your center demonstrate its value, both in terms of assessing its own programming and responding to external evaluation?We seek to be visible on campus and build partnerships/collaborations with other like-minded groups.