It's Not Just About Ideas

Ever since I have started with Lamar University as an admissions counselor, I have noticed the disconnect between the students and the admissions process. A lot of the time we have to guide student’s through the application process and sometimes they miss deadlines because they get confused. I finally found the solution to that by starting in the ADL program here at Lamar.

We had to create an innovation plan that revolves around our students and better help them learn. I came up with an online platform that will allow students to access it on their own and it will explain a lot of things about college admissions. I want to set up some videos from other admissions counselors and get their knowledge and feedback put into the online platform. With it, I hope that more students will find it easier to apply for college and that will encourage others to as well.

The first thing I need to do in implementing the innovation plan will be defining a clear goal that can be measurable and the vital behaviors that could sabotage the innovation and influences that can promote the change we need for the online platform. The following sections represent the crucial moments I have identified for the online platform to succeed and the evidence to support from where each area of measure and vital behavior originated.

Desire Result

To ensure that students will have a better knowledge about what to do with college admissions and better ability to navigate the online platform affectively.

Measure

• Measure the amount of students participating in the surveys on the website and the website itself
• Survey teachers and counselors and what they are seeing change in the students after they have participated in the online platform
• Keep Track of the courses being completed

Vital Behaviors

• Set expectations that students should do at least one course or watch at least one video on the online platform
• Monitor how it changes a student’s application and how much of an influence it is on them and their families.

Influencers

• Teachers
• Counselors
• Peers/Other students
• Family
• Administration
• Best Friend

Notice the Obvious

Currently in the world we live in today, college admissions can be a scary process and has a lot of confusion surrounding it. A lot of students are first generation students and their families do not know how to go through the college process properly which ends up in mistakes. With my online platform, I am striving to make the college admissions process easier for students and their families. My goal is to get students to gain better understanding and knowledge when it comes to submitting their applications and understanding financial aid.

Look for Crucial Moments

There are many crucial moments that shape a students future in college. Whether its the cost, the location or simply the process is too difficult for them to understand. One crucial moment is when they have offers of acceptance from different colleges and they cannot decide which one they want to go to. In that moment, it is important for the students to understand what makes each college different. Family is also a big factor in the decision and application process. With the online platform, I hope that it will expand beyond students in schools and make its way down to the families of the students as well.

Learn From Positive Deviants

Seeing the completion of some courses and videos on the online platform by one student is motivation for other students. By seeing their peers finish and talk about how they understand the college process a lot better will hopefully influence them to go on the website to check it out.

Spot Culture Busters

The SAT and ACT are often a barrier for students applying to colleges. Some may be excellent students but terrible test takers so that deters them from completing their college application because their scores were not good. With my online platform, I hope to make aware to the students that not all universities require your test scores and even though they aren’t big name schools, they are usually the ones with unique programs that would benefit the student the most.

Six Sources of Influence

References

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change: 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education