CASNR learning community eases freshman transition
Transition from high school to college can be difficult, regardless of whether a student hails from a small farming community or a large suburban high school. Recognizing this fact, Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources actively participates in several programs aimed at facilitating the academic success and positive social integration of its incoming freshman class.
CASNR's learning community and freshman interest group programs not only help ease the transition of its participating freshmen into the Red Raider community, they also provide upper class students invaluable leadership and service opportunities. The learning community and freshman interest group are joint programs between University Housing and the college.
Joseph Burke, a sophomore interdisciplinary agriculture major from Bandera, has been active in the college's student programs since arriving on campus last year. After attending a Youth Range Workshop hosted by Texas A&M University in 2006, Burke was impressed by a presentation delivered by Ernest Fish, a professor in Tech's Department of Natural Resources. Based upon his positive impressions, Burke turned to the CASNR Student Services Center for assistance and soon found himself enrolled at Texas Tech.
Having been an active member and officer in both the Bandera FFA and Pipe Creek 4-H organizations while in high school, Burke was drawn to continued service at the college level, as well. In fact, he cited his experience working at the college's recruiting booth at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as one of his most memorable since arriving in Lubbock.
"I got to encourage other kids to come to Tech while having a lot of fun in the process," he said. "Texas Tech and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources are special, exciting places, and I really enjoyed answering prospective students' questions about both."
Victoria Gartman, a community academic mentor in the CASNR Learning Community housed in the Stangel/Murdough complex and a junior environmental conservation of natural resources major from Austin, agrees with Burke.
"I, too, was looking for a place to live on campus and trying to find a way be more active in the Ag community at Texas Tech," she said. "Lori Dudley saw this as a great opportunity for me and I couldn't agree more. I had previous experience in a program called 'Teen Teaching' in high school where I was a mentor for fifth and eighth graders, so I felt like this was a natural next step for me."
Gartman, who plans to attend graduate school to focus on global environmental policy after completing her undergraduate studies at Tech, also extoled the benefits of CASNR's freshman interest groups.
"FIGs (freshman interest groups) are special academic programs for first-time freshmen students who live together and have the same or similar majors. The program is a great way to meet new people, to get the feel of the university and the college, to become more involved, and to prepare students for success throughout their studies at Texas Tech."
Burke, a member of Texas Tech's Collegiate FFA chapter who was named the college's outstanding freshman Ambassador for Agriculture in the spring, and Gartman, who was an intern in Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Kay Granger last semester and is an Ag Pal Mentor, as well, are exactly the type of experienced and involved peer leaders the college's learning community and freshman interest group programs need.
"We encourage our current students to remain active in the CASNR Learning Community and all of our college programs," said Lori Dudley, CASNR's Coordinator of Student Development. "They not only represent the college with integrity and infectious enthusiasm, they lead by example and show incoming freshmen just how successful and happy they can be here at Texas Tech and in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources."
Dudley emphasizes that the collaboration and involvement of faculty, staff and students within the learning community are key components to creating a valuable learning experience for incoming freshmen and their upper class mentors, as well. Joseph Martin, senior animal science major, and Audra Carpenter, sophomore animal science pre-vet major will also be community advisors in the CASNR Learning Community.
"In fact," she said, "extant research indicates that learning communities contribute to improved interpersonal relationships both in and outside of the classroom, improved academic performance, increased involvement in campus activities, and a greater likelihood of graduation within four years. Each of these goals is as important to the college as it is to the individual student."
Written by Sean Cleveland
CONTACT: Lori Dudley, Coordinator of Student Development, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at lori.dudley@ttu.edu or (806) 742-2808, ext. 283
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Davis College NewsCenter
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