CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS
Technology upgrades increase campus wide flexibility New digital frontiers are being explored in several of the College’s divisions. Admissions, Academic Affairs and Advancement each either got new online software or increased resources to leverage existing technology to better serve the campus. The Division of College Advancement unveiled Thiel Connect in the weeks leading up to Homecoming. “We’re thrilled to provide this gamechanging resource to the Thiel College community. We are inviting anyone with a connection to the College to be a part of the new Thiel Connect platform,” Vice President of College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “This exciting opportunity connects our community in simple, convenient and new ways. Alumni can look up friends based on geography or interest. “Being connected to the right network is invaluable when it comes to getting ahead professionally. This platform allows our students to be connected to the vast resources of our valuable alumni network.”
The first event held by the Admissions office using PlatformQ Education was an application workshop that had 49 participating students. Subsequent events have averaged 40-80 high school students, according to admissions counselor Caitlin DeSantis.
• connect with alumni and students • stay informed about campus • RSVP for events • find or become a mentor • meet nearby Thiel alumni • network with professional peers
“It’s enhancing our student engagement strategy through prerecorded and live videos and events, email campaigns, live chats (including “office hours” for counselors), and providing analytics to help us keep improving,” DeSantis said. “For our prospective students, it allows flexibility when learning about Thiel because they can watch our videos on their own time if they’re not available during the event.”
The Thiel College Office of Admission is using a new online platform to connect and communicate with prospective students. Admission counselors have been hosting events using PlatformQ Education throughout the fall semester to engage students by providing admission, financial, and campus life information.
Academic Affairs and Information Technology added instructional support technologist Michelle Lentz. Her addition improves how faculty members use the existing Academic Affairs program, Moodle. An Instructional Design Team was formed that included Lentz and Associate Professor of
Members of Thiel Connect can:
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Admissions counselors have been using PlatformQ to meet with prospective students online.
... the BELL ...
Political Science and Department Chair Marie Courtemanche, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Sociology Jared Hanneman, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Department Chair Neil Lax, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Dietrich Honors Institute Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D.; and Reference Librarian for Information Services Tressa Snyder, M.L.S. Those efforts will unlock many of Moodle’s tools and better leverage the platform’s strengths, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Elizabeth Frombgen, Ph.D. said. Moodle is a course management software system designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a personalized learning environment. “Faculty worked hard over the summer to be able to deliver classes in-person, online or in a hybrid fashion,” Frombgen said. “The best way to maximize that capacity with the least amount of disruption was to continue with the technology platform we had and to expand our Zoom capabilities.”
