Annual seminar focuses on improving student learning

MADISON, Wis. (August 26, 2005) -- With the start of the 2005-06 academic year rapidly approaching Edgewood College faculty and staff kicked off the fall semester by participating in the annual August Seminar.

The three-day event began on Tuesday, Aug. 23 with opening addresses from President Daniel J. Carey and Mary Kelly-Powell, interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. Both shared with the college community their vision and goals for the upcoming year and beyond, particularly how Edgewood can continue its improvement in educating students through advancing academic and co-curricular programming.

“As a campus community, I challenge each and every one of us to focus on student learning in and out of the classroom,” said Carey, who recently completed his first full year as president of the college. “We are called to address our perceived strengths and weaknesses and to take Edgewood College to the next level.”

Carey called the goals for the upcoming year “very aggressive” as he announced various agenda items and updates on current projects. First, in support of the college’s efforts to expand student research, he introduced his plans to increase funding for undergraduate and graduate student research. Carey also announced organizational changes “designed to improve our service and to align our time and our resources with our priorities.”

Facilities also made that list of priorities. Carey identified three capital projects that the college would focus on over the next several years. These capital projects included centers for the visual and performing arts and a new residence hall.

Speaking at the college-wide assembly for the first time since being named interim Vice President for Academic Affairs on May 11, Kelly-Powell spoke with much optimism of two primary challenges she plans to meet this year: overseeing the revision of the general education requirements and the restructuring of academic departments and programs.

“You long for a sense that you can and have made a difference – in the lives of your students and in the lives of your colleagues,” said Kelly-Powell. That sense of purpose and connection and the relationships you develop are what make Edgewood College such a special place.”

Kelly-Powell said she believes the ambitious plans will “carry us and our students well into the 21st century” in a manner that more effectively meets student needs. “Now is the time to focus on the quality of student learning experiences in and outside of the classroom,” she said.

Sessions of the seminar were also devoted to giving updates on strategic planning processes and relevant data, which was broken down by Scott Flanagan, Vice President for Planning and Enrollment, and Maggie Balistreri-Clarke, Vice President for Student Development. Together, the two administrators addressed enrollment figures, including the tremendous growth of the adult accelerated degree programs, and challenges for the future, which included a discussion on retention.

The remainder of the seminar was devoted to effective teaching practices. Tuesday afternoon focused on the topic of effective education based on the Dominican values. On Wednesday, English professors Susan Rustick and Jim Hunter led a workshop on effective writing practices, continuing Edgewood’s long-standing commitment to developing communication skills in students and future graduates.

"For me the most valuable part of the workshop was the opportunity to talk about teaching and the problems we encounter in teaching," said assistant education professor Jed Hopkins. "It was a chance to think about how we teach writing. I wish we could have more sessions where we would come together and openly discuss what we do as teachers."

In his closing remarks Carey stated, “Please join me in making the coming year one of incredible progress for Edgewood College.”

Undergraduate and graduate classes will begin Wednesday, Aug. 31, while freshman move-in and orientation is Sunday, Aug. 28.

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About Edgewood College

Edgewood College is Madison’s only independent liberal arts college, a Catholic school with 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, nursing, and other fields, and a doctoral program in education leadership. For more information about Edgewood College, visit www.edgewood.edu or call 800-444-4861.

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