Spring Break
Students needed for LEAP to succeed
Dean Galaro
Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: Opinion
If you haven't already, go ahead and read the article in this issue laying out the upcoming implementation of the new fellowship initiative that Rhodes is undertaking as part of its accreditation process. It's important that everyone understand what's going on, which is why I'm writing this editorial as an employee of the Communications Office. Through the work of many in the administrative department, expanding extracurricular programs is a large undertaking that brings with it both positive and negative elements in a program that could either become a huge success or flounder.
Changes within the accreditation process will include new opportunities for students to get involved in fellowship jobs and activities that take them outside the classroom to experience a new kind of learning. It's an effort to involve the Rhodes community in hands-on work that will broaden and complement our liberal arts education through programs like the St. Jude Summer Plus Program and the Bonner Scholars.
On the positive side, it's great that Rhodes is trying to develop new and exciting forms of education and engagement. As is evident from the reports produced throughout the process to create the LEAP program, a lot of thought has gone into how to educate students through ways other than lectures and tests. Rhodes is already focused on conversational and communal learning by virtue of its small size, which is a key benefit of going here. Not every college kid gets to spend four years in classes that are probably no larger than 25 students, making one's stay at Rhodes a unique experience. Another major component to the Rhodes education is the study abroad program (almost half of all students study abroad at some point). The new LEAP program will also fit nicely into the educational niche of Rhodes. While the former acclimates students to the international community, fellowship opportunities will offer many the opportunity to get valuable experience closer to home.
Administratively, the LEAP program has been well thought out, as its original efforts began in the early 90's. Only one new office will be created and only one person full-time position will need to be hired, helping to minimize additional costs. While I have not seen all the numbers, those that I have seen show a budget that is not expected to grow more than 4% over the next five years. While all forward-looking expenditure numbers are subject to change, there seems to be enough room built into the program to allow for whatever growth LEAP may see.
Changes within the accreditation process will include new opportunities for students to get involved in fellowship jobs and activities that take them outside the classroom to experience a new kind of learning. It's an effort to involve the Rhodes community in hands-on work that will broaden and complement our liberal arts education through programs like the St. Jude Summer Plus Program and the Bonner Scholars.
On the positive side, it's great that Rhodes is trying to develop new and exciting forms of education and engagement. As is evident from the reports produced throughout the process to create the LEAP program, a lot of thought has gone into how to educate students through ways other than lectures and tests. Rhodes is already focused on conversational and communal learning by virtue of its small size, which is a key benefit of going here. Not every college kid gets to spend four years in classes that are probably no larger than 25 students, making one's stay at Rhodes a unique experience. Another major component to the Rhodes education is the study abroad program (almost half of all students study abroad at some point). The new LEAP program will also fit nicely into the educational niche of Rhodes. While the former acclimates students to the international community, fellowship opportunities will offer many the opportunity to get valuable experience closer to home.
Administratively, the LEAP program has been well thought out, as its original efforts began in the early 90's. Only one new office will be created and only one person full-time position will need to be hired, helping to minimize additional costs. While I have not seen all the numbers, those that I have seen show a budget that is not expected to grow more than 4% over the next five years. While all forward-looking expenditure numbers are subject to change, there seems to be enough room built into the program to allow for whatever growth LEAP may see.
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Russian Wives
posted 3/20/10 @ 7:38 PM CST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
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