At the recent summer first-year FASET, I facilitated my undergraduate academics faculty panel (with the set of the musical Mamma Mia as my backdrop). This is the first year of the new iGniTe program that has been created by our Summer Sessions Initiatives team (De Morris Walker and Christina Wan) and Center for Academic Enrichment (Kari White)- along with numerous campus partners both internal and external to OUE. Vice Provost Potts and I both commented on the excitement and energy of this group— which is unlike previous summers. I encourage you to take a look at the schedule of events and programs for iGniTe students and attend if you can. In addition, all of our summer first-year students will be reading Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life as part of a common academic experience. You are invited to join them in reading it. If you need a copy of the text, we may even have a few extra copies in our office.
Concurrent with FASET, many of us are preparing to teach sections of GT1000 or GT2000 (including a few who will be teaching as soon as this summer). Lacy Hodges and the CAE team have been working hard over the past year at revamping the curriculum in these courses, streamlining the learning outcomes and focusing the curriculum on helping students design their experience at Tech. Finally, the Center for Academic Success team is busy preparing for Tech Prep, a week-long program in August, to help students review and refresh their fundamental pre-calculus and calculus skills; learn some academic success strategies; and become acclimated to their new academic environment.
Beyond these examples, I know that every unit in OUE is actively working to prepare for fall and our upcoming academic year. We all play a critical role not only in supporting our new first-year (class of 2022!) and transfer students but also to our continuing students, faculty, advisors, staff, employers, and other stakeholders. As we move quickly through the remainder of the summer, please know how much we appreciate everyone’s efforts and dedication. I also hope that everyone find some time to step away and enjoy a well-deserved break with friends and family, particularly with the upcoming July 4th holiday.
Finally, returning to FASET- if you are relatively new to Georgia Tech or OUE, I encourage you to sit in on a session or two. It's a great way to learn more about the entire campus. The next FASET session is June 26-27, and you can view the dates and schedule of events by visiting http://nssp.gatech.edu/campus-staff-page.