FACU LT Y
Associate Deans’ Messages Supporting student success
Aiding our researchers
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very one of us knows how it feels to be stressed about a difficult situation in our lives, or to worry that we will not achieve a goal. This is particularly true for university students, especially those in their first year as they transition to a new way of learning and a new way of living. That’s why we’ve developed the 10 Point Student Success Model, an integrated approach that brings together the key elements that students need to be successful during their time in Queen’s Engineering. Academically, we understand that first year can be overwhelming, so the very first class on the very first day for every student is a time management workshop tailored for engineering students. Throughout the year, students can take advantage of a series of study skills workshops, as well as after-hours tutorials led by upper-year students. Our Section 900 program (previously known as J-Section) provides a critical safety net that allows students to retake failed fall semester courses early in the winter term and get back on track. It also serves as a mental safety net—students stressing over exams know, in the back of their minds, that Section 900 is always there for them. There are also 36 academic advisors on hand throughout the programs, as well as student facilitators who meet one-on-one with students to help them develop learning strategies. For personal support, we have engineering-based mental health counsellors who are trained to help students cope with the specific challenges and heavy workload in engineering programs. Our office is always open for students who need to talk, and we also have Wellness Days near exams with tension-releasing activities and snacks. We know that our model is working: our retention rate from first to second year is over 96 per cent, and we have a 91 per cent graduation rate, the highest of any engineering program in Canada. At Queen’s, it’s not just about reaching an academic goal. It’s about learning, growing, and becoming the person you want to be. That’s what we call success.
Lynann Clapham, BMet, PhD’87, PEng Associate Dean (Academic)
2 THE COMPLETE ENGINEER
ngineering recently welcomed several new faculty members to campus, many of whom are also new to their roles as teachers and researchers. Part of our job in welcoming them is to provide them with the resources and guidance they need to thrive at Queen’s. Our recently developed half-day onboarding workshop helps new faculty members learn about the resources available on campus that support their research and teaching. Two of those resources are the University Research Services and the Centre for Teaching and Learning, which provide a wide range of training programs and one-on-one consultations. The workshop also features case studies, tips, best practices for research grant applications, and information about on-campus grantwriting support. We’ve also developed a full-day research workshop that provides practical guidance for various aspects of the research process, including grant applications, publishing, and new communication methods for leveraging work. The workshop is open to faculty members, post-doctoral, and senior doctoral students considering an academic or research career. We’re also pleased to have joined the Canadian Graduate Engineering Consortium (CGEC), a unique and progressive recruitment initiative that brings together seven of Canada’s top universities to address the country’s urgent need for qualified engineers. This group engages in collegial competition, hosting graduate recruitment events at each school during the fall. These events allow potential students to have valuable conversations with faculty members who can help them decide which school is best for them. Many thanks to all our faculty, staff, and graduate students who volunteered at these events this fall. Guidance and mentorship can make all the difference at the beginning of a career, whether one is a graduate student or a faculty member. At Queen’s, we’re dedicated to providing the resources that promote a smooth transition into new roles and the solid foundation for a successful career
Amir Fam, PhD, FACI, FCSCE, FASCE, FIIFC, FEIC, PEng Associate Dean (Research & Graduate Studies), Donald and Sarah Munro Chair in Engineering and Applied Science