Student Testimonials
"Our instructor made it clear she cares about our success. She did one-on-ones with us or just a quick conversation to let us know we had something missing. She was very supportive." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
"He is truly one of the best instructors that I have ever had. He was willing to help whenever someone was confused. He helped me feel very comfortable throughout my first semester here." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
"She was super fun and sweet and she made me actually want to come to class. I felt as though she pushed us out of our comfort zones in the best way possible." -COLS 194 Student, Fall 2023
Role
COLS 194 Instructional Faculty (IF) are UM faculty, staff, and administrators focused on supporting incoming students through a design thinking workshop and first-year experience. IFs are paired with one to two Peer Educators (PE) (undergraduate UM students recruited for and trained in mentorship basics, campus resources, and the principles of design thinking). This instructional team will deliver course content, interact with students in the classroom and beyond, and serve as a principal resource in their students’ network of support.
IFs utilize the curriculum to support first-year students through the introduction and application of design thinking principles as students participate in guided exploration of their academic, personal and post-graduate goals. Through the workshop format, instructors take an active and authentic interest in their students and look for opportunities to initiate cohort building.