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Putting Your Best Foot Forward:
Collaborating on Campus to Engage First
Year Students in Exploration
Presented by:
Ryan StalgaitisCampus Director, Career Development
Christine GaydosAssistant Dean of Students
A little bit about us!
Ryan Stalgaitis
Campus Director, Career Development
Christine Gaydos
Assistant Dean of Students
A little bit about you…
• Do you have courses like this offered at
your Institution?
– Required? What department?
– Who teaches? Do you?
The Power of Collaboration
Development of the Course
• 2012
– Professional Development Seminar developed (draft) by Career Development
– Did not move forward
• 2015
– Initiative from Vice Provost for Academic and International Affairs; oversees University
Core curriculum
– Committees developed to encompass UNIV 1001 (Transitioning to University Life) and
UNIV 1002 (Preparing for Professional Life)
Overview of Core Program
• The four-course CORE sequence strongly emphasizes global learning and
personal/professional development. Students typically complete it during
the first and second years at FDU to provide a foundation for more
advanced studies.
• This sequence of Core courses is required of all students entering the
university in Fall 2015 or thereafter:
– UNIV 1001 (Transitioning to University Life) First Semester
– UNIV 1002 (Preparing for Professional Life) Second Semester
– UNIV 2001 (Cross Cultural Perspectives) Third or Fourth Semester
– UNIV 2002 (Global Issues)Fourth or Fifth Semester
UNIV 1001
• Prerequisite for UNIV 1002, students take these in sequence
• UNIV 1002 is modeled after 1001
• Key topics addressed in the course:
– Building Positive Relationships with Peers, Staff and Faculty
– Knowing Your Learning Style and Critical Thinking
– Personal Wellness
– Time Management
– Campus Resources
– Campus Involvement and Engagement
– Diversity
– Career Component (past)
UNIV 1002: Overview of Course
• 1 credit required course
• 1 class/week; 1 hour 15 minutes
• All first year (second semester) students must take
and pass this course in order to graduate
• Sophomore - Seniors may elect to take this course,
as well
Purpose of Course
• UNIV 1002 will assist students in exploring career options utilizing
personal values, interests, strengths, and preferences.
• Students will understand the importance of becoming a well-balanced
candidate through internships, volunteer work, on-campus activities,
and academic projects.
• Our aim with introducing this course is to:
– Allow our first year students to create a map for experiences both on and off campus
that will set them apart during college and upon graduation
– To increase student retention and utilize as a recruitment tool (for both parents and
students)
Faculty Selection & Development
• Desirable qualities of UNIV 1001/1002 instructors:
– Student-centered educational philosophy
– Use of engaging pedagogy that involves students in the learning process
– Capable of relating to and establishing rapport with students
– Genuine interest in advising and mentoring students.
– Concern for development of the student as a whole person
– Willingness to work with students outside of the classroom
– Availability to teach both UNIV 1001 and 1002 as needed
• Utilizing on Campus Network and Employer Relationships
• Provide multiple training workshops for new and returning instructors as well as
meeting during the semester
• Instructors are paid $1500
Syllabus Creation
• Committee and working groups developed ideas and
learning outcomes to be included in syllabus
• Full syllabus created by Director of Career
Development and Assistant Dean of Students
• Designed to compliment the syllabus of UNIV 1001
Syllabus Outline
• Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes
The Global World
The Community
The Self
Syllabus Outline
•Course Materials–Strengths Finder, The New York Times
–Assessments
Syllabus Outline
•Course Requirements and Assignments
2017 Networking Event
During the Spring 2017 semester, the
University Core Program in collaboration with
Campus Life and Career Development hosted
3 annual networking events for students in
UNIV 1002: Preparing for Professional Life.
Over 450 students and nearly 100 employers
participated in the three networking
workshops over the course of a week.
During these events, our students were asked
to introduce themselves and answer many
interview style questions in a large scale
networking setting.
Our employer partners provided amazing
feedback, with one stating, “[It was an]
excellent event! The students were sharp,
pleasant and motivated. I was surprised most
of them were only first year students.”
Previous Events
• In previous semesters, three workshops
were offered:
–Networking/Interviewing Workshop
–Networking Event
–Global Learning Workshop
Creating a Welcoming Environment
• Overarching purpose of both 1001 and 1002 courses are to connect first
year students to the campus, staff, faculty, peers and resources.
• Courses require one on one meetings for instructors to learn about
students’ holistic FDU experience. This is an opportunity to refer
students that are struggling or in need.
• Students in our 5 Learning Communities take this course and 2 other
major requirements with members of their cohort. This allows
instructors to focus on special lessons and opportunities for their
respective majors.
Recruitment & Retention
• Retention–1 on 1 meetings are key
–Orientation
• Recruitment–Open House
–Admitted Students Day
–Regional Admitted Students Dinners
Challenges
• 1 credit, 1 hour and 15 minutes, 1x week
• Faculty– selection, development, support
– Garnering respect for the course
• Dumping ground mentality
• Required “chip on the shoulder”
Positive Outcomes
Some positive student feedback:
– “ This was the most useful class I have ever taken in my life. I have already
used many topics that we learned about in this class that have improved
my chances of getting internships and jobs in the future.”
– “There is no doubt in my mind that this is the most useful class a student
can take during their college experience.”
– “This class put things into perspective for me about how
important it is to develop myself as a potential job candidate now.
Even though I am only a freshman, I should start thinking about
my future and what would make me stand out to an employer.”
– Stay Tuned! Having offered the course twice, we are still
collecting data.
Thank You!
Questions?
