2008 Woodie Awards
Sounding off...From the Deans' Office
Kimmo Rosenthal
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Opinions
One of the parts of Union's new Strategic Plan that I am most excited about and that has a direct impact on students is the strategy to try to help students "find their passion". While students overall feel very positive about their academic experiences at Union, there is a sense that many students are having trouble finding their niche or that all the "pieces" that go into making up a successful and rewarding four-year college experience don't always come together. The part of the Plan to help students "find their passion" recognizes this.
"We will develop a collaborative approach to mentoring and advising that recognizes a broad range of aspirations and encourages students to explore a variety of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. Our aim will be a continuous engagement by all students in a process of self-discovery to develop purpose, realize potential, and develop passion. "
This ties in with a significant trend in higher education that is being promoted across the country, Learning Reconsidered. "Learning Reconsidered" defines "learning" as a comprehensive, holistic, transformative activity that integrates "academic learning" and "student development", processes that have been considered separate, if not independent of each other. The ideal of the small liberal arts college as a learning/living environment necessitates the full engagement of the student and comes with the understanding that the success of a Union College student is not simply marked by academic achievement and mastery of the curriculum, but rather it is characterized by the success of the entire student learning experience while at Union. Helping students "find their passion" requires a collaborative and integrated effort from various groups across campus with a common goal and vision which supersedes other "local" considerations. Faculty involvement and support, where appropriate, will be a key component. The questions that need to be asked are "how does this benefit our students" and "how can we help our students"
"We will develop a collaborative approach to mentoring and advising that recognizes a broad range of aspirations and encourages students to explore a variety of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. Our aim will be a continuous engagement by all students in a process of self-discovery to develop purpose, realize potential, and develop passion. "
This ties in with a significant trend in higher education that is being promoted across the country, Learning Reconsidered. "Learning Reconsidered" defines "learning" as a comprehensive, holistic, transformative activity that integrates "academic learning" and "student development", processes that have been considered separate, if not independent of each other. The ideal of the small liberal arts college as a learning/living environment necessitates the full engagement of the student and comes with the understanding that the success of a Union College student is not simply marked by academic achievement and mastery of the curriculum, but rather it is characterized by the success of the entire student learning experience while at Union. Helping students "find their passion" requires a collaborative and integrated effort from various groups across campus with a common goal and vision which supersedes other "local" considerations. Faculty involvement and support, where appropriate, will be a key component. The questions that need to be asked are "how does this benefit our students" and "how can we help our students"
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