Johnson C. Smith University News July 9, 2015 Johnson C. Smith University Announces the Creation of University College JCSU has created a new comprehensive program designed to connect first-year students to the University. The University College puts emphasis on entering traditional undergraduates and impacts all students at the University by developing students' communication, reasoning, leadership and career skills. The college operates the First-Experience, the Biddle Institute, the Foundations Liberal Studies, and the Center for Metacognitive Variables. Dr. Antonio Henley is the Dean of University College. University College provides students with wrap-around, holistic services and provides faculty and staff with another vehicle to be innovative in meeting the needs of students, while working at the growing edge of higher education, said President Ronald L. Carter. "University College offers a broad grouping of inclusive educational opportunities, services and supports for student engagement and success," Carter said. "The faculty and staff in this innovative college do more than offer a "one-stop" service delivery. Rather, they are committed to a comprehensive spectrum of "educational care" that consistently supports students' growth dimensions in self-concepts, learning, and civic engagement - characteristics that feature graduation." The First-Year Experience division is responsible for students' transition to the University, enrichment of academic skills and career development. The division coordinates orientation and retention programs, academic support services and professional programs. The Hub, an academic support center housing the Academic Center for Excellence, Student Support Services, Math Lab, Writing Studio, Career Services and Nationally Competitive Scholarships, are also housed in the First-Year Experience division. Because the University is committed to access to higher education for students with diverse strengths, the Biddle Institute provides intensive academic support services to students using strengths-based assessments. The approach connects classroom and co-curricular experiences. Biddle Freshman Program and the Sit Lux Research/Scholars Initiative comprise Biddle Institute. Biddle Freshman Program provides support programming through faculty teaming, intrusive advising, co-curricular excursions, academic success workshops and community service. Students are typically limited to 13 credit hours per semester and have the option to participate in mentoring and tutoring components. The Sit Lux Initiative maintains the components of the Biddle Freshman Program and is distinguished by its required academic support programming, which includes a bridge experience to the fall semester, a residential living and learning community, academic tutoring and peer mentoring. It is important to build a foundation for life-long learning and global leadership when students begin their college experience. Therefore, the Foundations Liberal Studies division delivers the core curriculum of the general education framework through methods designed to strengthen students' competencies as critical thinkers, capable writers and cogent speakers, as well as manages the academic experience for all students who are undecided about a major degree program of study. The division is organized into three departments of faculty. The Department of Computation and Technology includes faculty representing computer science and mathematics. The Department of Rhetoric and Culture includes faculty in communication, English, and foreign language. The Department of Leadership and Personal Development involves faculty responsible for health and physical education, leadership and career development, and Smith Seminar Academic Orientation. Research is an important aspect of any institution of higher education. The Center for Metacognitive Variables is a research think tank dedicated to understanding if non-cognitive and metacognitive skills (e.g. grit, perseverance, motivation) can predict college success. The think tank also explores which particular skills, if any, can best predict success. At its core, the center's work, which is supported with grant funds, focuses on access to higher education and helps to improve teaching and learning. The center relies on the talents of Faculty Fellows and Undergraduate Research Fellows. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.