Advising 101: Putting the CORE into Context Professor Amy Nawrocki Senior Lecturer in English Advisor, First Year Studies Program

UB’s Mission Statement The University of Bridgeport offers career-oriented undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth. The University promotes academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. The University is independent and non-sectarian.

General Education “General Education [should acquaint] students with basic knowledge of (a) the past and present diversity of human achievement and perspectives at the levels of individuals, groups, and cultures; (b) how scientific and mathematical inquiry understand nature and enable technological development, and thus shape people’s lives by affecting the economic and material frameworks of society; (c) how the arts and humanities foster insights about the human condition and encourage aspiration for the future, and (d) how the social sciences inform us of past efforts and guide future efforts at living together in political, economic, and cultural communities. “Furthermore, general education programs help students develop the cognitive flexibility and the skills necessary to face the changes and challenges of the future, particularly the abilities (a) to express themselves clearly and fully in both speech and writing, and to work collaboratively with others, (b) to reason independently, analytically, and quantitatively, and (c) to utilize information technology to facilitate research and learning.” ~Board of Governors for Higher Education, 2004

Four-Year Degree at UB UB SkillsSeminars Major Courses Electives Heritage

General Education: one-third of earned credits (40/120) PsychologyAccounting

UB’s "Heritage” Categories Fine ArtsHumanitiesSocial SciencesNatural Sciences

Advising’s role in guiding students Do we want students who “fulfill requirements,” who check off boxes on a grid, who see General Education as a burden and a liability? Or can we encourage students to shape their four years around personal as well as professional development, where a lifetime love of learning AND marketable skills are developed? How can advisors encourage students to embrace their Core classes and succeed in them?

Who am I? Who are you? Who are we together? Where did we come from? Where are we going? What if... ? Core Classes help us answer:

Practicality Marketable qualities o Critical thinking o Quantitative and analytic thinking o Flexibility o Problem solving o Interpersonal relationships o Communication skills o Academic excellence (strong GPA) o Prepared for an interconnected world o Distinguishes you from other job applicants Career- oriented graduates

Personal Growth Step outside comfort zone Challenge yourself Challenge your ideas Articulate your understanding Ask questions; find answers Meet other students Interact with other faculty Experience new ideas, unknown cultures, past civilizations. Question Einstein Dance with Mozart Understand the physics of water Find cures for diseases Understand your boyfriend Connect to things you like Find things you didn’t know you liked Solve for the unknown “Personal responsibility, and commitment to service” Leadership Happiness Love of learning

Advisors Engage students in conversations about their personal and professional goals Promote Gen. Ed. courses enthusiastically Remind students that performance in Gen. Ed. courses can affect GPA positively Offer advisees your own stories, connections, strategies for succeeding in Gen. Ed. courses When teaching Gen. Ed. courses, emphasize the interconnections between disciplines Develop interdisciplinary courses

Student-Advisor Conversation: Student: “Do I need this course for my major?” “Do I need this course to graduate?” “I don’t like science; I don’t want to have a heavy reading load; I never liked history; I hate math; I don’t really like art; I’m not interested in learning about Judaism; What’s sociology?” “The course I want to take is closed.” Advisor: ?????

Accounting Major Sample CoursesHow can we Advise? Phil 101: General Philosophy Sci C206: The AIDS Epidemic Psych 103: Intro. to Psychology ADSN 117 Survey of Art History English 101 Practicality, career oriented approach o Explore how this course will benefit a student’s career Personal Growth o Explore how this course will benefit a student’s well-being and happiness

Psychology Major Sample CoursesHow can we Advise? PSCI 103: American Government Sci C101: Earth Science Engl. 215: Monsters as a Theme in Literature Musc 122: World Music in the Liberal Arts Math 105 Practicality, career oriented approach o Explore how this course will benefit a student’s career Personal Growth o Explore how this course will benefit a student’s well-being and happiness