DECATUR, Ill. – In 2023, Millikin University received a Five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education valued at $2,213,883 under the Title III Institutional Strengthening Program for a project entitled “Delivering on the Promise of Educational Excellence.”
Now, one year later, Director of Title III and C-IDEAS, Dr. Brandon Cockburn looks forward to implementing some of the grant’s initiatives, including launching a Millikin Masterclass series featuring presentations from alumni and notable speakers, increased advising for freshman and sophomore students, and professional development opportunities for Millikin faculty and staff.
“This fall, we’ll be offering a lot of those programs, like the Milliken Masterclass and some onboarding exercises for our peer mentors and Student Experience Ambassadors. For the Masterclass, we plan to invite three to five people throughout the year, and it will be very similar to a TED talk,” Brandon said. “We want to invite alumni and some other people from the area. They’ll talk about their experiences, where they’re from, what they’re doing, and how they got to this point in their lives.”
The Title III scholarship will also help Millikin students stay enrolled, as student retention is critical to the scholarship through increased mentor training and improved freshman and sophomore student development in the Student Success Center.
“We have 82 Peer Mentors who are Resident Assistants and Student Experience Ambassadors. Our Long-Vanderburg Scholars are Long-Vanderburg Scholars and EDGE Mentors who went through training this summer to help them provide individualized mentorship to students who need that extra support,” Brandon said. “Serron Pettis came over from admissions and is our Student Success Coach for freshmen and sophomore students. We’re excited to have him expand that and expand the services for students as well as some tutoring and coaching opportunities.
Brandon’s responsibilities include co-chairing the C-IDEAS committee, which works to promote inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility on the Millikin University campus.
“C-IDEAS is made up of six faculty members, six staff members and six student organization representatives,” Brandon said. “My colleagues often ask how we can engage students in these important issues, and I think students often know what they need, so we need to include them in that conversation.”
To encourage this dialogue, C-IDEAS will host a series of happy hour events next week to kick off the fall semester, providing opportunities for connections among Millikin’s diverse communities over light refreshments.
“Each happy hour is intended to be a welcoming space for diverse student groups and provide students with the opportunity to connect with folks with similar life experiences and identities. Therefore, we invite anyone on campus who would like to attend or who comes from these diverse backgrounds and identities to help welcome and connect with our freshmen here at Millikin,” Brandon said. “Although these events focus on these identities, all folks are welcome to attend and spend time with our freshmen students and show support as allies, advocates and accomplices to their success and well-being.”
Events next week:
BIPOC Happy Hour
Tue., 20 Aug., 16:30-17:30
Lobby level of the University Commons
Proud Happy Hour
Wed., Aug. 21, 4–5 p.m.
Lobby level of the University Commons
Happy Hour of the first generation
Thu, Aug 22, 4-5pm
Lobby level of the University Commons
Happy Hour for transfer, international and commuter students
Fri., Aug. 23, 4–5 p.m.
Lobby level of the University Commons
