Client Need and Issue:
The Vice President for Student Affairs recognized a critical need to reevaluate their student support services shortly after stepping into the role. The internal assessment unveiled a scenario where various teams within student affairs were operating with notable overlap, leading to inefficient resource use and potentially compromising student support outcomes. Their Threat Assessment Team, Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), and CARE team were dedicating substantial time to duplicative services, leaving them with little to no time to tackle additional tasks.
TNG Approach and Solution:
Upon identifying these systemic inefficiencies, the Vice President for Student Affairs sought an external partner to provide an outside assessment and aid in streamlining the overlapping efforts. That is where TNG stepped in.
TNG began by conducting a comprehensive BIT program review. This involved thoroughly examining the roles, processes, and operational scopes of the three teams. The review process fostered awareness of the challenges in the current setup, such as the unnecessary duplication of effort and wasting valuable time—resources that could otherwise be employed toward productive student support.
After the review, TNG provided targeted training to each team based on best practices within the industry. These training sessions were developed to enhance each team’s efficiency and establish a more cohesive operational structure. Individuals were encouraged to participate in a conference facilitated by TNG, where they could engage with peer institutions and subject matter experts and earn certification in related courses.
Outcome:
TNG transformed the public university’s student affairs structure by aligning the goals and operations of the Threat Assessment Team, BIT, and CARE team, ultimately eliminating redundant processes. This procedural evolution allowed for a more focused and efficient approach to student support, enabling teams to spend more time on student well-being and other pressing matters. TNG’s comprehensive program review and recommendations for improvement resolved considerable overlap among team members, streamlined a structure that reduced unnecessary staff hours devoted to overlapping functions, and optimized productive student support. The new coordinated system deployed resources more effectively, clarified roles and responsibilities, elevated student support and intervention standards, and offered continued professional development for staff.