You at UM is committed to fostering continuous improvement through rigorous assessment and strategic enhancements. Our program thrives on the collaborative efforts of various committees, each tasked with specific responsibilities aimed at maintaining a dynamic cycle of evaluation and refinement.
Curriculum Design Team
The purpose of the COLS 194 Curriculum Design Team is to collaboratively assess, enhance, and refine the curriculum for the COLS 194 course. The committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the ongoing quality and relevance of the course content, instructional methods, and assessment strategies.
Responsibilities
Review Course Evaluations
- Analyze student feedback and identify areas for improvement.
- Discuss instructor feedback and identify areas for improvement.
- Propose and implement changes based on evaluation outcomes.
Grading Scales and Course Syllabus
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing grading scales.
- Review and update course policies and syllabi.
Assignment Evaluation
- Examine and refine assignments.
- Ensure alignment with learning outcomes.
Develop and Enhance Content
- Consider and develop alternative examples and approaches for instructors to consider.
Curriculum Maps, Lesson Summaries, and PowerPoints
- Update curriculum maps, lesson summaries, and slide decks (time permitting).
Committee Members
Shannon Janssen, Director, First-Year Experience (Chair)
Jessica Anderson, Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising Center
Stephanie Domitrovich, Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising Center
Ray Guest, Advisor, Department of Teaching and Learning
Peer Educator Committee
The Peer Educator Committee is dedicated to ensuring the success and effectiveness of the peer education program aimed at enhancing the transition and support for incoming first-year students. Members play a critical role in designing and executing recruitment strategies, interviewing and selecting a diverse cohort of peer educators, and improving training requirements and resources.
Responsibilities
Recruitment Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive recruitment strategy to attract diverse and qualified candidates for peer educator roles.
- Collaborate with campus departments, student organizations, and relevant stakeholders to promote the peer educator program and encourage student participation.
- Utilize various communication channels, including social media platforms, campus events, and informational sessions, to reach potential applicants and generate interest in the program.
Selection Process
- Establish transparent and inclusive selection criteria that align with the goals and values of the You at UM first-year experience program.
- Design and implement a fair and rigorous selection process, including application review, interviews, and assessment of candidates' interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and commitment to supporting first-year students.
- Ensure that the selection process promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing equal opportunities for all applicants and considering factors such as background, experiences, and perspectives.
Training and Development
- Develop a comprehensive training curriculum that equips peer educators with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively support and mentor first-year students.
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for peer educators to enhance their mentoring abilities, deepen their understanding of student development theories, and stay informed about relevant campus resources and initiatives.
- Foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment where peer educators can exchange ideas, share best practices, and receive feedback from experienced mentors and program coordinators.
Program Implementation and Assessment
- Implement mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the peer educator program, including gathering feedback from peer educators, mentees, and other stakeholders.
- Use assessment data to identify areas for improvement, make informed decisions about programmatic changes, and continuously enhance the quality and relevance of peer education initiatives.
Committee Members
Shannon Janssen, Director, First-Year Experience (Chair)
Emily Ferguson-Steger, Director of Campus Engagement University Center
Erin O'Reilly, Adjunct Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee for the You at UM First-Year Experience plays a critical role in providing strategic direction, overseeing program expansion, making budgetary decisions, ensuring the success of the program in supporting the transition and academic success of first-year students, and selecting instructional faculty members who will contribute to the delivery of the first-year experience curriculum.
Responsibilities
Strategic Direction
- Develop and articulate a clear vision, mission, and set of goals for the first-year experience program that align with the institution's educational priorities and values.
- Identify and prioritize strategic initiatives and areas for program enhancement, such as curriculum development, student support services, and co-curricular activities, to optimize the first-year experience for all students.
Program Expansion
- Assess the current scope and reach of the first-year experience program and identify opportunities for expansion, including the introduction of new initiatives, partnerships, and outreach efforts.
- Evaluate potential target populations for program expansion and develop strategies to effectively engage and support these students.
- Collaborate with relevant campus departments, academic units, and external partners to leverage resources, expertise, and funding opportunities for expanding and enhancing the first-year experience program.
Budgetary Allotments and Decisions
- Review and approve annual budgets for the first-year experience program, including allocations for personnel, programming, student resources, and administrative support.
- Prioritize budgetary expenditures based on the strategic goals and priorities of the program, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support high-impact initiatives and student success.
- Monitor expenditures and financial performance of the program, making adjustments as needed to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with budgetary constraints and institutional priorities.
Program Assessment and Evaluation
- Establish metrics and benchmarks for assessing the effectiveness and impact of the first-year experience program, including student outcomes, retention rates, academic performance, and course evaluations.
- Regularly evaluate programmatic data and performance indicators to measure progress towards goals, identify areas for improvement, and make data-informed decisions about programmatic changes and resource allocations.
- Engage in continuous improvement efforts to enhance the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of the first-year experience program, based on ongoing assessment and feedback from stakeholders.
Selection of Instructional Faculty Members
- Collaborate with academic departments and faculty leadership to identify and select instructional faculty members who will contribute to the delivery of the first-year experience curriculum.
- Ensure diversity and inclusivity in the selection of instructional faculty members, reflecting the varied backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise necessary to effectively engage and support first-year students.
- Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of instructional faculty members through student feedback, peer evaluations, and other assessment mechanisms, and provide constructive feedback and recognition for exemplary contributions to the program.
Committee Members
Shannon Janssen, Director, First-Year Experience
Brian French, Executive Director, Office for Student Success
Andrea Vernon, Interim Associate Vice Provost for Student Success