Bridging Systems, Building a Coalition, and Centering Students: A Collaborative Multi-Campus Approach to Orientation in the Time of COVID-19

This manuscript tells the story of how a multi-campus, public, Research I institution in the Mid-Atlantic pivoted from in-person orientation to a Virtual Orientation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We share how our university came together to offer a Virtual Orientation for twenty undergraduate campuses and 17,000 students in less than 100 days, review lessons learned, and offer insight into how planning for future orientation programs will be influenced because of this unusual year.

The Relationship Between Work Study and Career Development for Undergraduate Students

One route toward career preparation for college students comes from work experience. Internships demonstrate benefits, but there is limited inquiry on the career development benefits of Federal Work Study (FWS). Archival data from nearly 600 students at one Southeastern research I institution suggest a significant and positive relationship between FWS participation and career clarity, decisiveness, and satisfaction. We outline the opportunity for further inquiry on process variables and the potential impact of FWS on the career development of our most vulnerable college student populations.

Supporting and Mentoring New Social Work Instructors: A Formative Evaluation of the TEAM Program

This study provides qualitative results from a unique mentorship and teaching support program designed, implemented, and evaluated in a school of social work at a major Midwestern research I university over a three year span. Primary qualitative data was collected through regular check-in meetings and end of the semester focus groups. Additional data was collected through orientation notes and detailed process notes from individual communications and consults with new instructors. Lessons learned point to both the importance of providing support and mentorship to new instructors as well as challenges in building and sustaining a positive culture for teaching and mentorship at a research I institution.

From theory to practice: Converting class content to study abroad

Study Abroad is a non-traditional classroom. It offers students a view to real world application, the praxis of theory taught in class. How does a faculty member take a traditional syllabus and translate it into a successful study abroad course?This session will start with an introduction to recent literature on the benefits of using study abroad as part of the teaching arsenal. Mason Study Abroad will display a variety of pedagogies commonly used in the study abroad setting such as the interplay between work done before departure to onsite work, academic journaling, academic reflection, group discussions, onsite debate, presentations, and the use of onsite resources. Participants will also be introduced to the use of the local environment including how to choose visits, activities, and the balance between tourist and non-tourist elements. Participants will analyze how the pedagogies apply to a variety of disciplines and how each benefit students. The session will place particular emphasis on the creative use of methodologies to enhance intercultural skill development. Included will be how to building a variety of elements to meet the needs of different learning styles.Given Mason’s status as a Research I institution a component on incorporating research will be included. A group activity is planned where participants take a Mason course and re-create it in a study abroad setting.

Assessing and Addressing Academic Integrity at a Doctoral Extensive Institution

Based on concerns regarding current trends in higher education, one Research I institution set out to measure knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and perceptions related to academic misconduct. Through a self-report survey, trends specific to the university’s community as well as educational interventions were identified to further educate the campus community about academic integrity in order to reduce academic misconduct.