Times editor shows students where hard work, curiosity can lead
Posted Feb 27, 2012
The New York Times foreign editor did not start out in journalism – had never written for student newspapers, etc. “I’d never written an article in my life till grad school,” Greg Winter told the UNCG audience at his Feb. 19 evening talk.
All along, he drew on his interests, his background – and what he’d learned in each part of his education and career.
And that was a big part of his message to the UNCG students attending the talk. You can’t really predict what will happen, he said. One example? There was a time when attending law school was a very safe bet; not now. Another example? When he was in grad school in 2000, few foresaw to what extent the internet would change the world of journalism.
He is now foreign editor at the New York Times. He listed and explained many critical international stories they’ve covered. “I never imagined I would be doing this,” he said.
UNCG Documents Improved Student Persistence with Starfish Retention Solutions
Posted Feb 22, 2012
Starfish Retention Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of student success systems, today announced a number of improved student persistence results that have been documented by its client institutions. While institutions adopt the Starfish platform for a variety of reasons, student persistence rates are important metrics and tangible indications of a student success program’s effect.
“The University of North Carolina at Greensboro monitors enrollment data very closely to see how the institution is performing and where improvements can be made,” said Holly Hebard, coordinator of academic outreach at UNCG. “After adopting the Starfish platform as part of our student success and retention initiatives, we are seeing valuable gains in our student persistence metrics, particularly in the number of students who are eligible to continue their enrollment and the number of students who actually do reenroll at the institution.”
The four-year public institution has implemented a strategy to provide early intervention to students, enhance communication between faculty and students, enable easier access to advisors, and guide students to tutoring and other academic support resources. The institution has reported that of the students who were flagged by the Starfish system in Fall 2011, 97.6% were eligible to continue their enrollment the following term (Spring 2012), and 84.4% did continue their enrollment at the institution.
Special Support Services - Visions of Success: Keylin Rivera
Posted Feb 18, 2012
Keylin Rivera is a senior at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying Political Science and Spanish. She is an active member of AmeriCorps ACCESS and is a current North Carolina delegate, representing the 13th district for the Democratic National Party. After graduation in May 2013, Keylin plans on continuing her civic engagement by focusing on her work with the Latino community.
When we asked what makes her a successful student, Keylin shared her Success Story about her own accomplishments, and how Student Support Services played a part.
Ramsey lecture will explore culture of learning
Posted Jan 10, 2012
Dr. Bennett Ramsey, an associate professor of religious studies at UNCG and senior faculty fellow in the Warren Ashby Residential College, will be the featured speaker at the 2013 Undergraduate Studies Future of Learning Lecture at 7 p.m., Monday, February 11.
“We are on the forefront,” says Laura Pipe, director of learning communities. “The size of our program and our chancellor’s commitment to learning communities is bigger than other institutions.”
The lecture, “After Learning: Education on a Hot Planet,” is open to civic, business and educational leaders as well as others in the Triad who are concerned with the role of higher education in responding to the significant changes in society and economics arising from forces such as global competition, environmental constraints and slower growth.
The free event will be held in the Elliott University Center auditorium and refreshments will follow. Free parking is available in UNCG’s Walker Parking Deck.
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UNCG embraces Learning Communities
Posted Dec 14, 2012
UNCG is investing in learning communities. And administrators say that investment is paying off for both students and the university.
“We are on the forefront,” says Laura Pipe, director of learning communities. “The size of our program and our chancellor’s commitment to learning communities is bigger than other institutions.”
As a result, UNCG is getting national attention. Universities like Rutgers have called Pipe to pick her brain. She is also working with Western Carolina University to launch a web magazine and establish a statewide learning community listserv.
Learning communities grew out of an earlier push toward the Residential College (RC) model that took place in the 1920s. UNCG’s Ashby Residential College began in 1970 and is now the oldest residential college in North Carolina. The university’s Strong and Grogan residential colleges followed in 1994 and 1997.
Undergraduate Studies receives $1.8 million grant
Posted October 17, 2012
Steve Roberson, UNCG’s dean of undergraduate studies, tags his emails with one line: If it’s not likely to be transformative, don’t bother.
So Roberson’s thrilled about a new five-year, $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education he says will transform the way the university serves its students and the greater community. He plans to implement UNCG’s initiative, “Intentional Futures – Learning to Learn,” immediately.
“This grant is going to allow us to make a huge difference in the lives of a lot of students,” he says. “It’s also about the university being a good citizen of North Carolina, reaching out and doing the work of good citizenship. It’s all about outreach to students, to the community, to the region, to the state.”
“Intentional Futures” will be funded by a Title III grant that amounts to about $400,000 a year for the next five years. After that, the university will have to seek funds from other sources.
For all those who teach: ‘Faculty Center Takeover’ Nov. 1
Posted October 16, 2012
The Faculty Teaching & Learning Commons assumed stewardship of the Faculty Center a month ago. The FTLC looks forward to working with faculty and staff in envisioning the best uses for this building to serve the campus community.
It is available for presentations, lectures or small gatherings of up to 49 people. Built in 1948 as a soda shop, the open interior has a great atmosphere for convening for programming or to simply meet a colleague for a cup of coffee, discuss the latest successes in the classroom, talk about the latest news from campus or have a quiet spot away from the office for some deep thinking.
The space allows for a wide range of uses, from lecture format to small group meetings to a larger meeting.
Classes leverage New York Times materials
Posted October 9, 2012
UNCG has leveraged “The New York Times in the First Year” program to help broaden students’ perspectives and develop critical thinking. Some classes use news stories to promote discussions related to topics such as global issues, leadership, civic engagement, diversity, ethics and global issues.
In Spring 2011, Dean Steve Roberson learned that the program was to be piloted nationally, and last year UNCG was one of nine universities to take part in the pilot. UNCG was the only such university in North Carolina selected to take part – and the only one without a journalism school/program.
Last year at UNCG, mostly Foundation for Learning courses and Living-Learning Community classes took part during the pilot. This year, the numbers have expanded. About 20 additional faculty members have asked to be a part.
Lilly Conference on ‘Evidence-Based Learning and Teaching’
Posted October 9, 2012
The UNCG Faculty Teaching & Learning Commons will host the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching at Greensboro for the 9th year. Last year, over 500 individuals attended the conference representing 70 different institutions.
The 2013 conference theme is “Evidence-Based Learning and Teaching.: This theme reflects the philosophy that our approaches to teaching and learning should be based on scholarly activity. As disciplinary approaches use scholarly work to investigate and advance knowledge, pedagogical innovation should also advance by building on the work of others.
Featured tracks include: Advancing Active Learning, Teaching Well with Technology, Engaging and Motivating Students, Promoting Diversity, Service/Experiential Learning, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and Faculty Development.
The 2013 Conference will be held Feb. 15-17, 2013 at the Koury Convention Center. Additional information is available at http://lilly.uncg.edu
Speaking Center Featured in The Greensboro Voice
Posted August 20, 2012
The University Speaking Center's work at the Interactive Resource Center was featured in the August 2012 issue of the The Greensboro Voice.
Click here to read the rest of this article.
Click here to view a video slideshow about The University Speaking Center's work with the IRC.
3 appointments in Undergraduate Studies
Posted August 7, 2012
Three faculty members have accepted appointments in Undergraduate Studies: Dr. Patrick Lee Lucas as Executive Director of the Faculty Teaching and Learning Commons, Dr. Jan Rychtar as Interim Director of Undergraduate Research, and Dr. Ben Ramsey as Senior Fellow in Ashby Residential College.
Lucas is an associate professor in Interior Architecture. He assumed his duties in FTLC on July 1. He has already begun extensive conversations with colleagues across campus regarding transformative new directions for the Faculty Commons.
Rychtar, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has assumed the Interim Directorship of the Office of Undergraduate Research for a one-year period, starting Aug. 1.
Ramsey is an associate professor in Religious Studies. He will assume a planning role in the fall while he continues his work in Religious Studies, with the full-time commitment to begin Jan. 1, 2013.
Students learn valuable lessons exploring the Underground Railroad
Posted June 12, 2012
A group of University of North Carolina at Greensboro students are sharing their experiences of traveling the underground railroad. The students left back in May to follow the path that Harriet Tubman used to lead so many people to freedom on. It was an eye opening experience for the students.
It was more than a class or a study abroad trip for Savannah Tester. She said following Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad changed her.
"I come from a very small town, a racist town. I actually know three or four people who are involved in the KKK," UNCG Junior Savannah Tester said. "The class was absolutely mind-blowing, I've never taken a class that actually made me question my foundation."
Teachers said that's exactly what they hoped this class would do.
Speaking Center offers coaching before public hearings
Posted May 30, 2012
As part of a ongoing communication activism initiative, volunteers from the University Speaking Center will be available from 5:30-7 p.m. outside the Greensboro City Council chambers during council meetings this summer.
The volunteers, who are trained communication consultants, will offer consultations to anyone wishing to address their elected officials.
The coaching will be available Tuesdays, June 5, 19 and 26; July 17 and August 6.
Guarantee Scholars Follow Freedom's Railroad
Posted May 18, 2012
On May 20, ten UNCG Guarantee scholars travel back in time to pre-Civil War America. Their objective? Follow Harriet Tubman's historic Underground Railroad.
Their journey will take them to locations across the US and across the Canadian border as they track a runaway slave's risky route to freedom. The trip is part of a specialized summer class that connects the Underground Railroad to present-day issues of social justice and immigration.
Student Success Center earns ATP Tutoring Program Award of Excellence
Posted April 13, 2012
The Association for the Tutoring Profession Awards Committee is pleased to award the Student Success Center of the University of North Carolina Greensboro the ATP Tutor Program Award of Excellence.
The Student Success Center is comprised of the Learning Assistance Center (2000), Special Support Services (1970), the Satisfactory Academic Progress/Student Study Program (2010), and the Supplemental Instruction Program. The four programs employ approximately 220 tutors, 15 SI leaders, four graduate assistants/interns, two student success assistants, and 12 full-time staff.
The Center's mission is to provide the support students need to obtain their undergraduate degree and become lifelong learners through tutoring, counseling, peer assisted study groups, academic skill development, workshops, and computer instruction. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the Center logged almost 30,000 service hours and served over 4,000 students. THe center partners with faculty, staff, and administrators.
The Student Success Center director is Mr. John Foreman and the associate director is Dr. Geoffrey Bailey. The program was nominated for this award by the Learning Assistance Center's Coordinator for Tutoring Services, Shawn O'Neil.
An Interview with the University Speaking Center
Posted April 13, 2012
University Speaking Center consultant Shannon Hall was interviewed by Johnathan Waye in the March 20-26, 2012 issue of the UNCG newspaper, The Carolinian.
Click here to read the rest of this article.
Dr. Mary Crowe to serve as CUR President-elect for 2011-2012
Posted March 30, 2012
Dr. Mary Crowe, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, has been elected to serve as the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) President-elect for the 2011-2012 year. CUR, with its 600 institutional members and more than 6500 individual members, supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship
Click here to read the rest of this article. (PDF)
First Year Task Force solicits Student Feedback
Posted December 6, 2011
When a first year student loves what you did for them, that encounter just might get a good review. And if they found the interaction less than stellar? Their letting someone know can help the university know where to improve. The "Spartan Scale" allows 53 first year students to give a grade to their interactions and experiences on campus. When something is perceived as problematic to a student, they can text and alert the task force to it.
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Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching
Posted October 3, 2011
The University Teaching & Learning Center will host the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching at Greensboro for the eighth year. Last year, more than 500 individuals attended the conference representing 70 different institutions. The 2012 conference theme is "Teaching for Brain-Based Learning." This theme reflects the philosophy that our approaches to teaching and learning should be based on scholarly activity.
Click here to read the rest of this article.
Have 10 years passed already?
Posted October 3, 2011
UNCG is starting its reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and some changes have been introduced to the process. One area has been simplified; there are fewer than 100 principles to be addressed with the SACS three Ps – policies, procedures and proof. A decade ago there were almost 500 criteria that required responses. This effort will be headed by Dr. Rebecca G. Adams, associate provost for planning and assessment.
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UNCG goes green with first ever sustainable dorm and classroom facility
Posted September 24, 2011
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro's campus footprint is growing but its carbon footprint is shrinking. On Friday, Chancellor Linda Brady joined students and faculty in dedicating the school's first ever green residence hall. However, the facility is doing more than just saving energy, it's also preparing students for a career in sustainable entrepreneurship. In nearly every room of Jefferson Suites you'll find something "green."
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Helping hand
Posted September 22, 2011
Danielle Cameron '14 wants her life to be about reaching out. Two years ago, she was the one who needed a hand. Asking for help isn't always easy, especially for someone whose passion is helping others.That someone is Danielle Cameron '14, a UNCG sophomore majoring in Business Administration at the Bryan School of Business and Economics. Danielle is navigating her college experience with an open mind about what she might specialize in during graduate school and her career.
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UNCG Guarantee recognized for supporting students
Posted September 1, 2011
UNCG is recognized nationally for "beating the odds" in helping students most prone to dropping out of college stay on track toward graduation. In a new national report published by HCM Strategists, a Washington, D.C., public policy advocacy firm, the UNCG Guarantee is profiled along with initiatives at more than 30 other postsecondary institutions to improve college completion rates and prepare students for successful careers.
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