Pressing Engagements: The First Year Student In The College Of Agricultural And Life Sciences

It Starts With Tradition Long History of Faculty mentoring StudentsLong History of Faculty mentoring Students Land Grant MissionLand Grant Mission Departmental CultureDepartmental Culture

Traditions Are Supported Dean of the College reminds new faculty hires that it is very important to mentor studentsDean of the College reminds new faculty hires that it is very important to mentor students Office of Academic Student Affairs helps Departments through:Office of Academic Student Affairs helps Departments through: –Advising web site –New faculty workshops –Survey on Advising –Individual consulting

At Visits Before Enrollment: Parents and Student visitors are told:Parents and Student visitors are told: –Madison and CALS are exciting places to study Historical achievementsHistorical achievements Current activitiesCurrent activities Future initiativesFuture initiatives –We care about our students and help them connect Advisor assignment from the startAdvisor assignment from the start Requirement to see advisorRequirement to see advisor OtherOther

At SOAR Remind students:Remind students: –They are responsible for their education –Connecting to the University community is essential –Going to class is not enough –Their academic advisor is key to connection –Engagement with the University community promotes their learning and success They get their advisor’s nameThey get their advisor’s name They send their advisor an with schedule before leaving the roomThey send their advisor an with schedule before leaving the room

During Wisconsin Welcome CALS New Student Orientation SessionCALS New Student Orientation Session –“Jeopardy” game based on College History –Get engaged –Ask for help –Personalize help Associate Dean’s Home Phone #Associate Dean’s Home Phone # Introduce all staffIntroduce all staff Ice cream social in Centennial GardensIce cream social in Centennial Gardens –Meet with Department faculty staff Return to Departments for orientationReturn to Departments for orientation

During The First Month “Mandatory” Freshman advising planning sessions“Mandatory” Freshman advising planning sessions Career and Internship fairsCareer and Internship fairs Majors fairsMajors fairs

Courses That Help Courses with professional orientation (e.g.)Courses with professional orientation (e.g.) –Nutritional Sciences/Food Science 200 –Food Science 201 –Wildlife Ecology 100 Courses with overview of field (e.g.)Courses with overview of field (e.g.) –Animal Sci/Dairy Sci 101 –Genetics 375 –Forest 100 –Land Arch 250

Integration Into The Intellectual Community Of Campus: A Freshman Seminar Departments encourage students to participateDepartments encourage students to participate Faculty and staff volunteer -small groupsFaculty and staff volunteer -small groups Purpose:Purpose: –Develop leadership abilities –Good Decision making skills –Explore Individual Interests –Enhance personal and professional skills

The Course Addresses: Topics and ThemesTopics and Themes –Ethics and Moral Reasoning Biotechnology and world food/human healthBiotechnology and world food/human health Private property rights and the public goodPrivate property rights and the public good Use of genetically modified organismsUse of genetically modified organisms Social aspects of genetic technologySocial aspects of genetic technology –Personal Understanding Learning StyleLearning Style Leadership traitsLeadership traits

The Course Addresses: Individual EngagementIndividual Engagement –Lead group discussion –Attend a lecture/talk –Visit a student resource program –Explore a major and/or career –Volunteer –Talk with a faculty member (other than your advisor) –Attend a student organization meeting –Explore research opportunities

Communication Is Important Periodic from Associate DeanPeriodic from Associate Dean –Advising and Registration –Scholarships –Final Exam Parent Parent –Developed by ASA Dean’s office –Sent to students, not parents, to forward –Focus on student experience –Purpose is to “run interference” for students

Engagement Beyond The Classroom Honors and Research with mentorHonors and Research with mentor –Orientation –Advice on how to find a mentor –Peer Mentoring for connection –Honors and Research Organization Leadership certificateLeadership certificate –Competency based –With Faculty/Staff Mentor

Student Organizations Are Important Every department has at least one clubEvery department has at least one club –Faculty advising –Mix of social, academic and service activities Many College wide clubsMany College wide clubs –(e.g.) MANRRS; Honors; Alpha Zeta Student Council picnicStudent Council picnic Student generated newsletter prior to welcome weekStudent generated newsletter prior to welcome week

Academic/Residential Connection 4 Residential living units tied to the College4 Residential living units tied to the College –2 men’s fraternities –1 co-ed co-op –1 women’s co-op; –1 residence hall program WISE

End Notes It is powerful to integrate the student transition experience into Academic CultureIt is powerful to integrate the student transition experience into Academic Culture Faculty are natural allies because they care about learning outside the classroomFaculty are natural allies because they care about learning outside the classroom No single approach assures a smooth transition into campus for all studentsNo single approach assures a smooth transition into campus for all students