Melissa Blankstein

Researcher for @IthakaSR studying student basic needs, challenges, support services, and organizational leadership within higher education.
She/Her/Hers

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

What are the key steps towards building successful student support services on campus? My🆕@IthakaSR post shares recommendations on strategic planning, building buy-in, creating lasting partnerships, & more best practices for community colleges. https://t.co/KXQeB8qyLc

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

@NoahLenstra Sounds like an exciting initiative! Thanks, Noah! 😀

[Ithaka S+R @IthakaSR]

From food pantries and meal voucher programs to emergency assistance funds, colleges and universities are making efforts to address #BasicNeeds insecurity on campus.

@m_blankstein & @ElmiraJangjou discuss new directions and sustainable solutions: https://t.co/geEhvZm1Ij

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

@IthakaSR’s 2024 US Instructor Survey is open! This year’s survey features questions that delve into teaching practices, materials and tools, instructional support needs, perceptions and usage of #GenerativeAI tools, and much more. https://t.co/KLxd053orm

[Ithaka S+R @IthakaSR]

Ithaka S+R’s @m_blankstein & @bmcc_cuny's @jamaral are proposing a #SXSWEDU workshop on #CollegeFluency—or how colleges can support students to self-advocate within the bureaucracy of #highered in order to achieve their goals.

Vote today: https://t.co/RPOEFwG80k

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

Interested in learning how colleges can break down bureaucratic barriers to #StudentSuccess? Vote for a #SXSWEDU2024 session led by me and @bmcc_cuny’s @jamaral using @SXSWEDU’s #PanelPicker, now through August 20: https://t.co/GqhAGzEUJP

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

🆕Every three years, @IthakaSR gathers library deans and directors perspectives on their libraries’ strategies and priorities through a national survey. Explore the latest insights and analysis in the 2022 Library Survey by @ioana_hulbert: https://t.co/23cQLxs1vh

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

Can partnerships between public and community college libraries make a difference for the communities they serve? I'm excited to share a 🆕@ECMCFoundation-funded @IthakaSR project that will examine how library partnerships can support local communities. https://t.co/iu4AVD1HKC

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

This🆕report by @cnmcdaniel, Bethany Lewis, @MadJoyTrimble & @jamesdeanward provides insight on 200+ Texas programs!

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

To help Texas boost postsecondary completion rates, @IthakaSR, @TXHigherEdBoard, & @ISKME launched a tool enabling collaboration on student success programming and practices. Read a report assessing the current landscape of student success in the state: https://t.co/nlu04FtOsn

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

@DrienneAy @IthakaSR @bmcc_cuny @jamaral @AchieveTheDream @US_IMLS I don't think it will unfortunately, but I'm happy to share the slides! Drop me a DM and I can send them over 😊

[Ithaka S+R @IthakaSR]

Join Ithaka S+R's @m_blankstein and @bmcc_cuny's @jamaral tomorrow at 4:30 pm for an @AchieveTheDream #ATDREAM session on college fluency and our @US_IMLS-funded project exploring how libraries can improve student success. https://t.co/HJUkPH7MZT

[Bryce McKibben @bmckib]

Colleges & universities that think they have student basic needs insecurity under control (or mostly handled) on their campus are in for a rude awakening in a matter of weeks. 🧵:

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

📢Come partner with @IthakaSR & @bmcc_cuny on our new project exploring how institutions can improve college fluency—or students' ability to effectively locate & use non-curricular college services like financial aid or mental health counseling services. https://t.co/hnTQABFRn3

[Ithaka S+R @IthakaSR]

How might librarians support students seeking information on signing up for financial aid or accessing counseling services?

@m_blankstein discusses an @US_IMLS-funded Ithaka S+R & @bmcc_cuny project to explore librarians’ role in college fluency. https://t.co/AYkKG8ncpg

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

Very excited to be attending @AchieveTheDream's DREAM 2023 in Chicago! Presenting on new @US_IMLS work on college fluency with the wonderful @jamaral at @bmcc_cuny. Let me know if you'll be in Chicago too! https://t.co/Lteyuc6dsm

[Ithaka S+R @IthakaSR]

How are faculty perceptions of Open Educational Resources shifting?

@JMU’s @yasmeen_azadi & @Liz2728 provide insight on the challenges faculty face in creating and using OER and discuss how to support faculty adopting OER. https://t.co/0UrBkL19s8

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

In a 🆕@IthakaSR post, I spoke with @JMU’s @yasmeen_azadi & @Liz2728 to better understand shifting faculty perspectives on Open Educational Resources like digital textbooks, course modules, and video lectures. Read the interview: https://t.co/8oQSmMMK74

[Christine Wolff-Eisenberg @cwolffeisenberg]

A new action plan from @m_blankstein @IthakaSR highlights strategies for breaking down silos across departments to most effectively provide student support services. I especially like the recommendation to "help students help each other." https://t.co/h9az0hNrfE

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

What is college fluency? @jamaral and I define the term as the knowledge and abilities that enable students and staff to locate and use relevant college services, programs, and resources in order to achieve their goals.

[Melissa Blankstein @m_blankstein]

How can community colleges improve students’ familiarity with institutional resources and services? @IthakaSR is partnering with @bmcc_cuny on new @US_IMLS research to explore librarians’ role in building college fluency. https://t.co/YxdFNgEtds