"Sophomore," fittingly, is derived from the Greek word meaning wise fool. From finding a major to deciding whether to study abroad—and questioning their identity in and outside of the classroom—it's a time when students settle in at school and begin realizing the decisions they make will impact the rest of their college careers. Traditionally, student […]
Flora Tydings is Tennessee Board of Regents' new chancellor, responsible for leading six universities, 13 community colleges and 27 colleges of applied technology. Tydings plans to improve the student experience by strengthening the link between colleges and employers. One goal is to analyze student achievement to identify initiatives that improve graduation rates and solve other […]
Researchers believe more universities need to join the growing number of schools focusing resources on sophomores. "Sophomore-specific classes increase relationships with faculty and provide a platform to get through the decision-making process," says Molly Schaller, an associate professor at Dayton University in Ohio who has studied sophomores for the past 20 years. Her research finds […]
Many second-year-experience programs work with only a few thousand dollars in their coffers. Leaders of these initiatives forge partnerships with other departments to curb spending and help students pick majors, choose the right study abroad program or connect with faculty through advising and social events. "I have consulted with other institutions on how to accomplish […]
To keep Stanford front and center in the minds and hearts of its graduates, the university's alumni association—like other institutions—is investing time on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The big attraction: instant, interactive, daily engagement—especially with young alumni. "Social media is the digital water cooler," says Adam Miller, Stanford University Alumni Association's director of digital and […]
A newly formed academic center at Adams State University in Colorado aims to improve historically underserved and first-generation students' chances of enrolling in and graduating from college. Leaders at the National Center for Historically Underserved Students intend to provide a venue where educators who work with different minority groups can share effective success strategies, says […]
Not all vocational experience is created equally—this is especially true if it happens on the battlefield. In 13 Midwestern states, veterans can now receive college credit for military vocational skills and trades learned working on base or in the field. For many vets, taking unnecessary general ed courses leads to longer grad times, debt accrued […]
If you haven't heard of blockchain yet, then it's time to add this term to your technology lexicon. The most widely known use of the technology to date has been bitcoin, but blockchain is ripe with possibilities that go far beyond digital currency, with the potential to impact many industries, including higher education. What is […]
Online faculty at Castleton University don't just dole out tests—they take them, too. Full- and part-time instructors who have no experience teaching online with Moodle's learning management system work through a self-paced, six-module course created by associate academic dean Cathy Kozlik. The course resides on a Vermont State Colleges System Moodle Sandbox website, where professors […]
The George Washington University live-streamed a campus tour via Facebook Live in December. It's the first time the platform's live-video streaming service has been used for that purpose, administrators at GW believe. The 90-minute student-led event took place on December 3, a Saturday, with a video crew filming as well as monitoring comments on social […]
