Understanding the Student Experience

Ohio University has partnered with brightspot strategy to perform a comprehensive analysis of the student journey from recruitment through graduation as part of the Digital Transformation initiative. 

The overall goals of the project include: 

• Capture the as-is student experience, specifically the interactions required to prepare for, participate in, and complete an OHIO University education.  
• Describe select student groups and the journey from their unique perspective.  
• Document the pain points with a focus on technology issues and consideration for broader challenges. 
• Articulate opportunity areas with greatest need and highest impact for redesign with short, medium, and long-term action-oriented recommendations.

Key Project Activities 

To begin the analysis, brightspot will conduct workshops, interviews and surveys with students, faculty and staff. All students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to complete snapshot surveys, and selected individuals will be invited to participate in interviews and workshops.

Dates	Activities
March 8 - March 12	Student snapshot surveys Student experience development workshops begin Faculty and staff surveys Faculty and staff assessment workshops Faculty and staff interviews
March 15 - March 19	Student interviews Survey analysis begins
March 22 - March 26	Stakeholder working group check-in Student experience development workshops completed
April 19 - April 23	Feedback fairs to provide input on initial results

Project Team

Steering Committee

Chris Ament, Chief Information Officer

Candace Boeninger, Vice President for Enrollment Management

Brian Bowe, Assistant Chief Information Officer

Brad Cohen, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer

Neil Romanosky, Dean of University Libraries

Scott Titsworth, Dean of Scripps College of Communication

Stakeholder Working Group

Carissa Anderson, Associate Dean for Regional Higher Education and Lifelong Learning

Deb Benton, University Registrar

Kelly Broughton, Assistant Dean for Research & Education Services, University Libraries

Duane Bruce, Assistant Director, Multicultural Programs

Carey Busch, Interim Dean of University College

Jneanne Hacker, Interim Executive Director, Housing & Residence Life

Tanya Hire, Associate Professor of Instruction, School of Accountancy

Jenny Klein, Assistant Dean for Persistence and Student Success

Eszti Major-Rohrer, Manager, Enterprise Learning Systems & Academic Technology Services, OIT

Deb McAvoy, Associate Dean for Academics, Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Patti McSteen, Interim Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Wendy Merb-Brown, Assistant Dean for Operations and First Year and Student Transitions

Valerie Miller, Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Jennifer Murphy, Assistant Vice Provost of Guarantee Plus Graduation Programs

David Rohall, Dean of Campus and Community Relations, Eastern

Sherry Rossiter, Bursar

Katie Troyer, Senior Director of Enrollment Marketing, Undergraduate Admissions

Project Management Core Group

brightspot strategy

Elliot Felix, Founder; provides overall strategic direction and insight to ensure successful project outcomes

Tatiana Garcia, Senior Strategist; leads the project, planning activities, facilitation, and deliverables 

Maggie Walsh, Strategist; co-creates project materials, supports facilitation, and conducts research

Amanda Wirth Lorenzo, Director; serves as a strategic voice in establishing project process, approach and outcomes

OHIO IT 

Mike Kurnot, Project Coordinator  

Brian Bowe, Assistant Chief Information Officer

Chad Burkett, Senior Service Owner

Eszti Major-Rohrer, Manager, Enterprise Learning Systems & Academic Technology Services

Larry Tumblin, Director of Information Technology for Regional Higher Education

Jason Winchell, Senior Manager, Enterprise Information Systems