Faculty and students often see changes on the Monroe Park and the Medical Center campuses, but many may be unaware of changes implemented to improve the way the university operates for faculty, staff and students.
“We want to get students and faculty more involved in the process of learning,” said Micah McCreary, assistant vice provost for diversity, explaining the reason for educational institutions to develop a quality enhancement plan.
“It’s a sort of contract with students. On one hand we show you (the student) what to expect from us the university, and on the other hand we make it clear what we expect from you,” he said. “But it also really has to involve more faculty.”
As VCU’s quality enhancement plan coordinator, McCreary works with administrators such as Jean Yerian, the university’s assessment director, and with faculty and students.
To do this, McCreary renamed the plan “Reinforcing Engagement and Learning,” called REAL, which he said uses a more hands-on approach than the curricula have in the past so students can retain knowledge, are more engaged and more actively involved.
Yerian described McCreary’s approach as one that encompasses the whole environment by weaving students and teachers into one fabric where teaching and learning occurs on both sides.
“REAL upped the ante on engagement,” Yerian said. “When Micah came on board in April we all wanted to adopt the concept of Reinforcing Engagement and Learning. We are looking at how VCU can become a learning-centered university. This means we must also look at the expectations and interactions with the community.”
McCreary, who earned his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in East Lansing, said VCU must identify who the people are in its community and inspire and involve the entire university community.
Zmarak Khan, president of the Student Government Association, responded to the implementation of the plan by saying it definitely is necessary
“If a group has identified something as lacking at VCU we should address it,” he said. “I can almost guarantee that most of the student body has not heard about the plan.”
Khan also said the SGA could be used to promote such change to the student body.
“I haven’t noticed any changes, but that’s not to say there aren’t any,” he said.
So what message does McCreary want to give to students?
“The number one thing that I would love to teach students is to be able to critically analyze, and that what they all have in common is critical thinking.
“I’m not a manager. I bring people together and look at ways of changing the environment. I definitely have a call on my life to work with people. There are so many things that happen that I can plan or prepare, but there’s something greater than me that makes it all possible. So I know there’s a call to do this.”
McCreary, who earned his master’s at Union Theological Seminary and his doctorate in psychology at VCU, said there’s no hierarchy, but there is a leadership team, and various committees and methods of addressing issues.
“Education is meant to perfect the gift that is already in you,” he said.