Seventh academic college supports student success
There are a myriad of programs on campus aimed at supporting academic excellence and student success: the honors program; first year experience; sophomore and senior year experience; learning communities; English as a second language; and the list goes on and on.
Georgia
(Apr 15, 2005) — There are a myriad of programs on campus aimed at supporting academic excellence and
student success: the honors program; first year experience; sophomore and senior year
experience; learning communities; English as a second language; and the list goes
on and on. Now this collection of courses has a new home‚ the University College.
University College‚ which was approved by the Board of Regents this winter‚ becomes
the seventh academic unit on campus. Unlike the other disciplined−based colleges on
campus‚ University College is designed to serve a broad array of students‚ including
first−year students‚ as well as those who want to pursue a new interdisciplinary degree
or participate in interdisciplinary programs.
“It was the issue of retention that led to the creation of University College‚” Dean
Mary Lou Frank said. Frank retains her responsibilities as dean of undergraduate and
university studies. “This gives us a strategic and intentional way to address retention
across colleges.”
According to a recent national study‚ KSU’s six−year retention rates hover around
30 percent. By providing an academic home for undeclared majors‚ as well as serving
as a place to bring together faculty who teach general education‚ honors‚ first year
experience and learning−community classes‚ University College seeks to boost that
number by supporting issues that most impact student academic success throughout the
undergraduate experience.
“This really gives students a lot more flexibility‚ as well as meeting the demands
of a constantly changing work environment‚” she said. “The University College meets
students needs without creating a new major every time there’s a change in market
demand.”
For example‚ a student who wanted become a medical illustrator could take the required
biology courses in the College of Science & Mathematics‚ in addition to the necessary
art classes through the College of the Arts‚ and earn an interdisciplinary degree
through University College.
“Students can major in disciplines from across colleges‚ and the faculty resources
are already in place‚” Frank said. “I think the next step for the university is to
look at creating a graduate college‚ as we increase our graduate programs.”
The creation of University Colleges is a growing national trend‚ and has been instituted
at the likes of Indiana University and the University of Georgia. The concept of a
University College is more than 50 years old‚ according to the Association of Deans
& Directors of University Colleges & Undergraduate Studies.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.