Honors Orientation 2011
In addition to being a thoroughly enjoyable experience, this position was invaluable in preparing me for the job market. University service has become an increasingly important component of a successful application. Numerous search committees remarked upon the value of this experience in particular. The topic of advising came up in multiple interviews, and I strongly believe that being able to discuss personal experiences gave me a competitive edge, especially at teaching-focused schools. This experience was also incredibly helpful in understanding how a university works: from broad policy to day-to-day management. In the course of pursuing a dissertation, graduate students easily forget that they will one day become not just scholars and teachers but also members of an academic unit with responsibilities ranging from showing up to meetings to running committees and departments. Seeing firsthand how a successful program works and how it fits into the larger university system was a great preparation for those duties.
Craig Tyson defended his dissertation in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies early in the summer, and by July he was headed with his family to a job at the University of Mississippi.
Every summer, Honors hosts our incoming freshman students for Summer Orientation. From the beginning of June until early August, Honors is a beehive of activity, buzzing with the commotion of incoming students popping popcorn and asking questions. This is our first opportunity to sit down with each and every student who is entering Honors and to really get to know the individual personalities of the students we’ve ‘met’ during the application process. Students come to Honors midway through the second day of their 3-day Orientation session. Of course we begin with lunch: it has become a tradition in Honors to ground our work with students in a convivial atmosphere created by some wonderful food from one of Ann Arbor’s local businesses. Lunch together also gives students the chance to talk in an informal setting with some of our Honors Peer Advisors and staff. On our evaluation survey students gave all kinds of reactions, ranging from “I felt smarter for eating it” to “the four cheese pizza was mind-blowing.” Students also said, “I enjoyed the more personal and quiet atmosphere to socialize with other Honors students” and “’Twas a riveting discussion” when commenting on the lunch. After lunch, students have the chance to meet with Tim McKay to discuss their very own ”Big Ideas,“ explaining some of the ideas that they would like to explore during their time here. This conversation is always an overwhelming success—89% of this year’s Orientation attendees had positive things to say about it. One student praised this session by saying “... [Prof McKay] made me really think about what I want to accomplish in the next four years.” During this discussion the students also hear from two of the Honors Summer Fellows about their research and experiences in the Program, and they receive a copy of the Honors Summer Read (more about Cunning in another article). After meeting with Tim, students then move to our “Information Fair,” where they have the opportunity to examine many different aspects of the College curriculum, Honors opportunities, and how it all fits together in a comprehensive course of study. Moving from station to station in the fair, students can ask their own questions, pursue issues in the depth they want, and move at their own pace. They talk with Honors peer advisors, preceptors, and an Honors math professor to get expert information at each booth in the fair. They also hear each other’s questions and get to know each other in this more academic context. During the fair, students also meet one-on-one with their advisors, during which time they can have their individual questions answered, talk about their thoughts regarding future plans, concentrations, interests, and discuss courses that may be of interest to them. For many students, their orientation advisor ends up being someone with whom they build a long-term advising relationship. Students overwhelmingly reported being satisfied with their advising experience: 81% felt that their advisor met their emotional and academic needs. In the evening, students return to the Perlman Honors Commons to work with our Honors Academic Peer Advisors choosing courses and lining up sections to build a schedule: the process known on campus as “course backpacking.” Our Peers do a wonderful job with the incoming students, giving them the benefit of their experiences and knowledge. Students said the following about our Peer Advisors: “Fantastic. They even recommended specific courses and instructors they thought I would like and connect with.” “I appreciated their kindness and patience.” “The peers were extremely accessible, approachable, and attentive.” Early the next morning, the students meet with their advisors again, where they go over the courses they’ve selected and then proceed to register for them with the help of the Peer Advisors. After the registration process is finished, students have a third and final meeting with their advisors to demonstrate how the courses they’ve chosen work toward general degree requirements and to answer any remaining questions or concerns they might have. It is because of the hard work of the Honors staff, advisors, and Peers that our Orientation process is so successful. As one student this year commented, “It was really nice to feel that our registration was personalized and we weren’t lost in a sea of other people.” In Honors we strive to create a friendly atmosphere where students feel they belong. 13