Message from Michael Green—Dean of the Faculty
Welcome to our first edition of Academic Affairs Weekly, an online publication focusing on academic events of the campus, faculty scholarly work and teaching accomplishments, weekly messages from one of the academic affairs area deans or directors, and announcements. It is just one of our efforts this year to better communicate the richness and depth of the academic programs and faculty contributions at Lebanon Valley College.
I would like to thank you again for your willingness to meet with me in individuals meetings over the summer and early fall. I have learned a great deal about the impressive work you do with your students, as scholars/performers/and creators, and about your significant commitment of service to this campus. All of us in academic affairs will support the work you do now, as well as encourage new ideas and innovation within our curriculum and programs. Our primary mission as faculty is to provide the most meaningful and effective education for our students—both inside and outside of the classroom. We need to think about ways in which we can link programming across the academic affairs and student affairs area: Are there course goals that can be linked to student affairs programming? Are there pre-existing events in student affairs that could fit within your course goals as an out-of-class assignment/project? What ideas might you have for the further development of learning communities?
In addition, how might we envision a more robust study abroad/study away program? Might there be a way to add a short-term study abroad program as part of a normal semester course during a break or after classes end in the spring? What about a theme-based study away program for incoming first-year students before school starts in August?
Finally, can we find ways for students to apply the knowledge they are learning in class to service learning projects in the community? We already have some very good models of service learning in departments across campus. I hope you will give some thought to the above ways in which we might improve the educational experiences for our students. I would be happy to meet with you about your ideas and to discuss their potential at LVC.
Enjoy the rest of the newsletter!