April 12, 2005
Task Force makes recommendations to enhance academic
success
Since its first meeting last fall, the Freshman Success Task Force has been
focused on finding ways to promote the academic success of incoming freshmen.
The 18-member Task Force addressed both Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints
(PTV), a week-long program designed to help first-year students become acclimated
to university life, as well as the first eight weeks of the fall term. Focus
groups of current freshmen and former PTV leaders provided input from the
student perspective. A Flashlight survey of UDM faculty identified skills,
knowledge and behaviors faculty members believe are the most critical for
freshman success. Recommendations were then made to Barbara Schirmer, vice
president of Academic Affairs and provost, and Monica Leonard, dean of Student
Life.
The Task Force’s recommendations on PTV include:
- Hands-on experience with Blackboard highlighting appropriate behavior in a college classroom
- A “Road Rally” to familiarize students with various offices and services on campus
- Continuing the Detroit immersion experience through service projects in the city and a scavenger hunt in downtown Detroit
- An interactive presentation of different disciplinary perspectives
- Significant time with faculty in the college/schools designed to give freshmen an understanding of the academic rigors, expectations and culture in their intended major.
Another recommendation is for a voluntary eight-week program focusing on freshman transition issues including time management, test-taking strategies, and differences between high school and college.
2005 Commencement speakers
UDM President Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., will speak at this year’s
McNichols Campus Commencement on Saturday, May 14 from 1:30-4 p.m. in Calihan
Hall. Commencement festivities on the McNichols Campus also include a Baccalaureate
Mass at Gesu Church at 9:30 a.m. and a family brunch in the Student Center
from 10 a.m.-12noon. For detailed information, visit the Commencement
2005 web site.
On Saturday, May 7, Pete Hoekstra, Second District, Michigan U.S. House of Representatives, will address graduates at the School of Law Commencement. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in the Columbus Ballroom at the Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Center. Attendees are also invited to a 9 a.m. Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church.
Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, M.D., M.S., Surgeon General for the State of Michigan, will speak at the School of Dentistry Commencement on Saturday, May 21, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. Scholastica Church.
Job search workshop for international students
On Thursday, April 14, the Career Education Center (CEC) will host a workshop
designed to assist international students in their job search from 1-2:30
p.m. in the Reno Commons. The workshop will address employment laws affecting
international students seeking work in the United States. Students are asked
to pre-register by calling 313-993-1017, e-mailing careerlink@udmercy.edu
(subject “Job Search for International Students Workshop”) or
visiting the CEC online at www.udmercy.edu/cecc.
Thumbs Up!
Emilie Gallegos, director of University Academic Services,
and Susan Trudeau, assistant director of University Academic
Services, presented the session, "Using Academic Coaches to Engage
and Retain At-Risk Students," at the 15th Annual Equity in the Classroom
Conference in Kalamazoo on April 4. Sr. Brigid Johnson, RSM,
evening coordinator of University Academic Services, presented the session,
"Multiple Approaches in Teaching Developmental Math to Under-prepared
Adult Students."
Heather Hill-Vasquez, assistant professor of English, will present her paper, " 'To Make You a Man We Do Intend': Catholic Mothering and Protestant Manhood in English Reformation Drama," at the Medieval & Renaissance Forum at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire on April 16.