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 more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. 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.