The Future of Schreiner University

 

Dr. Charlie McCormick, President of Schreiner University addressed the club last Wednesday about his new role as President and his vision for the university moving forward.  Dr. McCormick came to Schreiner in 2009.  He holds a bachelor's degree in English from ACU, a M.A. in anthropology from Texas A&M, and a Ph.D. in folklore from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

President McCormick, who became president effective January 1, 2017, took over for Dr. Tim Summerlin, who previously held that post for fifteen years.  Dr. McCormick began his presentation by giving thanks to the former president (now the Chancellor).  According to the campus website, Summerlin oversaw the largest expansion of both enrollment (from 806 at the start of his presidency to last fall's record breaking enrollment of 1,230) and campus facilities (new residence halls, academic facilities, fitness and event centers) in the history of the university.  Degrees added during Summerlin's tenure include political science, theater, communication, sport management, nursing, public health, and an MBA program.  Many of these are now online as well. 

 

President McCormick mentioned that there are certain things that won't change.  The campus transformation efforts (sidewalk, landscape, trees, new signs) and the university's ongoing commitment to providing top notch facilities for faculty and students alike (currently - a new music education hall, a chapel and other facilities for the Campus Ministry) will continue.  He wants Schreiner to stay small and retain its inclusive feel for which the university is well known.  He wants Schreiner to continue emphasizing liberal learning - that education matters most - and to remain your university (with athletic and musical offerings, and lectures and book readings open to the public). The University also remains committed to its Greystone Preparatory School (prep school for those interested in moving on the U.S. service academies), which is currently considered the best service academy prep school in the nation, with more appointments to the military academies than any other university in the country!  98.9% of graduates earn a scholarship leading to a commission.

 

The president also shared his vision (part of his 2023 100-year anniversary strategic plan) for the university going forward.  He wants Schreiner to live up to the signs on campus - Enter with Hope & Leave with Achievement.  To do this, the university will emphasize "High Impact Practices," which are things that matter the most on the college experience, such as work study programs, job shadowing, service and civic involvement.  Dr. McCormick believes these experiences are essential for preparing our kids for a rapidly changing and increasingly more complex global society.  Schreiner will also encourage "Learning Communities" where students with similar career paths will share the same residence hall and advisor, take classes and study together, and even share outside activities together.  This support and cohesion will help integrate student life more effectively with academics.  Additionally, President McCormick mentioned that the undergraduate degree is rapidly becoming insufficient (by itself).  As such, Schreiner will continue expanding on its graduate program offerings with more MBA courses and a new MED in education (all fully online), as well as further nursing (RN already offered) options as well (also available online).  Dr. McCormick also kick-started the Texas Learning Consortium, which partners with other institutions across the state to provide world language opportunities to its students. 

 

Schreiner University will also increase it outreach efforts to help students transition from high school to the college life (part of the promise to help students enter with hope).  The university will reach out to communities across the state in an effort to create "Local Learning Communities."  Because the university (with a 48% Hispanic enrollment this year) is designated as a "Hispanic Serving Institution," these efforts will focus on the Valley to help students in that region reduce the barriers of affordability and distance in transitioning to the college experience.  Schreiner will also use funding as a STEM grant recipient to help students in the science and math fields transition from community college.  STEM grant funding will also be used to create community "bridge" programs for students interested in these fields who are classified as "at-risk," and would otherwise have limited opportunities to make those dreams a reality. 

 

Dr. McCormick emphasized his pride in our community's involvement, and stressed continued support through helping students with internships, search programs (i.e. helping students decide what to do after college), and support of study abroad opportunities.