Putting Students First: Learning, Growth, and Career Readiness

It's about our students and their success. It always is.

This past week, I had the opportunity to interact with students on multiple occasions. I visited Professor Rodney Smith's class on Design Issues in Digital Media where students learn to explore issues related to the design of digital media tools in effective communications. Thanks to Prof. Smith's collaboration with community partners and government agencies, the course brings project-based learning into the schedule. By way of example, Prof. Smith offers a special summer course, Food Stories in Digital Media, that takes learning into application mode. In speaking with his students, they shared that courses like this which integrate well with design courses at the Herron School of Art + Design are particularly appealing for their interdisciplinarity and, most importantly, their practical relevance. Some students stumbled upon this course and were delighted they did. Their recommendation is for us to better publicize courses like this that integrate skills taught in multiple disciplines.

Similar suggestions have been made in other areas the process of introducing a new course or program must include a clear strategy for marketing it.

I also had the opportunity to tour the Speakers Lab housed in the basement of Cavanaugh Hall. Public speaking is a required part of our curriculum, and the Speakers Lab offers students the ability to simulate an audience (using Visual Reality technology) and rehearse their speeches. The lab also allows us to role play in preparation for a big meeting or even a difficult conversation. I tested the technology and enjoyed the interaction with my simulated audience that looked more real than I had ever imagined! The Speakers Lab is a great resource for all of us students, staff, and faculty.

Also related to student success, my meeting with our Career Services Council (CSC) helped me better understand ways in which we can strengthen the connections between the academic learning in our programs and the career opportunities that result from this learning. The connections are not seamless, and the CSC offered valuable suggestions that will help ensure that the undergraduate first year seminar course includes modules on career readiness that are taught to every freshman. We have good work to do, and clarity on what needs to be done is the first step. Thank you, CSC, for all you do to support our students, so they consider not just their next job, but ideally plan a career.

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor