their personal experiences. Whether a student has a major in mind or are exploring their options, a University College advisor could help students select the LC that would work best for their interest. Each LC would include a KSU Seminar and courses from the liberal studies general core requirements.
Each KSU Seminar course would include habits for success, a common read, civic engagement, and service learning. FYE peer leaders (Bred Leaders) would assist with orientation, welcome week, learning communities, and student engagement programming.
The purpose of our liberal studies general core, is to provide students with a solid multidisciplinary preparation towards their academic and professional pursuits. It is with this in mind, that we propose the development of a framework called the first-year curriculum. This would directly correlate with the liberal studies general core requirements, along with some additional courses based on the student's academic track. This would help to ensure a solid foundation in the liberal studies, and would be a requirement for students to complete in their first year.
A planning and design committee has been formed, comprised of 8 faculty, 10 staff, and 4 students. This group is committed to the development of a University College. With a proposed structure built upon academic advising, academic support, first year experience and learning communities, University College would be a unique unit comprised of faculty, academic advisors, and student affairs professionals. The singular mission of University College, would be to provide a series of programs and services to promote and support the academic success of the university's first year students. To that end, the following principles undergird our understanding of the university college model:
Entering students warrant contexts that will enhance their academic success and persistence.
All entering students have the capacity for success, and the articulation and support of high expectations are central to the success of entering students.
A collaborative unit model provides students with the necessary resources for transitioning successfully to the college environment, and to impact student success.
Holistic support for learning and development is essential to student success.
Faculty and staff must live out the call to be reflective practitioners, supporting students in the development of successful habits and helping them move on to their majors and graduation.
As a part of institutional efforts to provide one portal of entry to the multiple degree units and student support efforts, we are hopeful to attain approval for the formation of University College in spring 2018. Soon thereafter, we would like to see the founding faculty and leadership appointed, with the first students entering the college in the fall 2018.
A number of quantitative measures of program effectiveness would routinely be collected and used in defining and refining program delivery.