1. Culver-Stockton College
INNOVATIONS IN
EDUCATION
James M. Cosgrove, J.D.
Professor of Business
Dr. Kimberly Gaither, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance
Business Division Chair
Mr. Eric Larson
Lecturer of Business
Do something different

2. Culver-Stockton College
Who We Are:
o Small and Rural
o Comprehensive
o Co-educational
and DOC affiliated
o Private College
o Both Land-Based
and On-Line
Business Programs

3. At A Glance

4. Overview of Canton

5. Culver-Stockton Campus

6. At A Glance

7. Change Impetus
Research showed:
• The future was dangerous for small
colleges unless
– It had a large endowment (we didn’t)
– It had significant name recognition (we didn’t)
– It was distinctive (we were not)
• Educational marketplace is changing
• Stakeholder (students, parents and
employers) expectations have changed

8. Step 1: Write Strategic Plan and
Change the Mission Statement
Previous mission statement:
Culver-Stockton College is a four-year residential,
coeducational community in affiliation with the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) committed to
educational excellence, personal development and
integration of liberal arts with professional
preparation.
Descriptive without
distinguishing the College
from any other institution

9. New Mission Statement
The mission of Culver-Stockton
College is to provide students of
promise a superb education within
an active learning community
founded upon integrity and the best
values of faith and the human spirit.

10. Results
o Focused on responsibility of the college
toward the student
o Redirected the purpose of the college
o Empowered the faculty

11. Step 2: Change the Calendar
 Divided a traditional 15-week term into:
12-weeks (students take 12-14 hours)
3-weeks (students take 3-4 hours)
 12-week courses are primarily
traditional core classes
Most students only take 4 classes
 3-week courses offer opportunities
beyond the classroom
Most students are only taking one course
Distinctive with only one other U.S. college
utilizing the 12/3 approach.

12. 12-Week Term
 Courses tend to be more traditional
classes
 Faculty encouraged to seek breadth
versus depth
 Teaching methods re-examined:
More case studies
More discussions
More group work
More student presentations
Less lecture
Flipping the classroom

13. 3-Week Term
 Flexible scheduling
 3-hour courses meet anytime between 10-3
 In-depth project or research work
 Travel opportunities
 Guest speakers
 Internships

14. Step 3: Change the Curriculum
 Every major curriculum changed in a single year
 Curricular approval process streamlined
 Courses redesigned to fit into 12-week or 3-week
term

15. Marketing Consultants Assisted
 Adopted EXP@CSC as name for curriculum
 EXPerience
 EXPlore
 EXPect
 Branding with colors,
swooshes, font
 Tag line… “Do
Something Different”

16. Focus on Experiential Learning
• Associate Dean of Experiential
Education Appointed
• Professional Development:
Teaching to a New Generation
• Adoption of NSEE Principles
Additional effort to provide
distinctiveness to a
Culver-Stockton education

17. New Opportunities
Study Abroad
 Three-week term is perfect for short-
term study abroad
EUROPE 2011
COSTA RICA 2012
CANADA 2013

18. New Opportunities
Domestic Travel
 Three-week term also
allows students to learn
outside the classroom
domestically
SPRINGFIELD COSTA RICA 2012

19. New Opportunities
Foreign Language
 Rosetta Stone combined with a Foreign
Language Professor
 Allows two languages in the classroom
 Students to study at their own pace
 Allows a small
college to offer a
myriad of languages

20. New Opportunities
Professional Internships
 All division majors
complete a 120-hour
internship
 Requirements meet NSEE
standards for an
experiential experience
 Internships scheduled
summer, 12-week term, and
the 3-week term 16% of our interns accepted
positions at their internship site.

21. New Opportunities
Required Capstone Courses
 All majors now required to have a
capstone
 Expected to be experiential in nature
 Business Strategy class
Capstone Research Project
and Presentation
Business Simulation
Activity

22. Outside the Classroom
Business Leadership Exchange
 Successful business leaders
Share experiences
Students attend a business
lunch and learn etiquette
3-week sessions allow
small-group interaction

23. Both In and Out of the Classroom
Student Organizations
 IMA and Enactus (SIFE)
Students earn credit hours
Students learn leadership
skills
Competitions help fund
activities

24. Reflections After Five Years
 Continued professional development on
experiential education and active learning
 The College focuses on technology
Unbelievable IT staff
Excellent budget
Wireless everywhere
iPad initiatives and Apple TV
Electronic Portfolios
Culver-Stockton College ranked in the top 4% nationally by U.S.
News and World Report as a Connected Campus

25. Reflections After Five Years
 Many majors are undergoing significant
curriculum changes
 We are reviewing and expecting changes in
our general education program next year
 We are beginning to see enrollment
increases
Due to curriculum?
Better admissions processes?
Capital campaign improvements?

26. Reflections After Five Years
 The College’s first Master Program (MBA) slated
to begin August 2013
 The College is experiencing growth in undergrad
online programs
 New BAAS degree offered in 2013
 The focus on experiential education is very well
suited for our students of promise

27. Final Comments and
Reflections
Questions?