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Orchestrate Your Education

A Connecticut College student chats with his faculty adviser.
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Orchestrate Your Education

With the support of a team of advisers, you will discover your passion, find your voice and make your way forward at Connecticut College.

By Maria Gonzalez

S

hane Collins ’20 knew the transition from high school to first-year student at Connecticut College would be an adjustment. Registering for classes seemed particularly daunting—until he realized he had a team of advisers on his side.

“My student adviser answered my questions about how the registration process worked, and offered me advice on how best to enter the course registration numbers and what to do in case I didn’t get into a course,” Collins said. “Her advice put me at ease to what felt like the most stressful three minutes of my life.”

That’s just one example of how advisers step in to help.

“The advising team is there to lend a hand when a student feels unsure of a decision, big or small. They are there for you no matter what.”

It’s all part of Connections—Conn’s reinvention of a liberal arts education. It’s a new kind of curriculum that lets students integrate their interests into a meaningful educational pathway to carry them through college and into a fulfilling, effective career and life. To help them orchestrate their educations, students have the support of a team of advisers: a faculty adviser, a staff adviser, a career adviser and at least two student advisers.

Advising starts from day one, when first-year students work with their faculty, staff and student advisers in their first-year seminar course. Here, students learn all about Conn College—its mission, core values and commitments. In the first-year seminar course, students get the nitty-gritty on the Connections curriculum. They find out how to conduct top-notch research, how to give a persuasive presentation and how to enhance their writing skills. It’s where students explore their seminar topic from every angle imaginable.

“We want students to find a mentor at the College, and for some, that may be their faculty adviser. For others, it’s their staff adviser. Whoever it turns out to be, the goal is to help students build those relationships so they can have the resources needed to thrive here, and find their own unique path,” said Emily Morash, associate dean of the College and dean of first-year students.

Staff and student advisers are in place for year one; however, advising continues over four years, and when students determine majors and minors, they will gain a major adviser. Career advisers are with students every step of the way as they explore career and internship opportunities, meeting with students for two workshops during the fall, and students can make appointments any time with a student career fellow. This enables students to take advantage of Conn’s funded internship program which prepares them for careers in a multitude of competitive industries. The funded internship program is one reason Conn ranks 4th in Best Schools for Internships by the Princeton Review.

Connecticut College students spent part of their summer working as science research interns.

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Grace Juster '16 and Professor Andrea Wollensak.

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“We talk a lot about integrative education and intentional learning, and that is what team advising is all about,” Morash said. “Rather than tell you what to do, the team is there to help you figure out what you want to do and how to navigate life at Conn. Connections is about choosing your own academic path, and the advising team is the support network you rely on to achieve those goals.”

Now a sophomore, Collins is close to declaring chemistry as his major. But while he always knew he was interested in science, he needed some help choosing his Connections courses. His faculty adviser, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Slavic Studies Christopher Colbath, steered him toward a unique course: “Theater of the AIDS Epidemic” with Assistant Professor of Theater Virginia Anderson.

“College is supposed to stretch your comfort zone and make you think differently. Professor Colbath encouraged me to take a course that would interest  and challenge me intellectually. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made,” said Collins, who is now ready to give back to his peers by serving as a student adviser.

“I’m looking forward to making the transition from high school to college as seamless as possible for my first-year students,” he said. “I’m excited to share things that I did well, like managing free time, and emphasizing the importance of taking courses that they are passionate about.”

As both a staff and career adviser, Lori Balantic enjoys working as a team with faculty and student advisers through the first-year seminar program where students gain perspective from their professor, student advisers and staff advisers.

“I really enjoy experiencing the rhythm of the academic classroom and connecting to the students and professor through their study,” said Balantic, a senior associate director of the Office of Career and Professional Development. “Co-advising with faculty and student advisers streamlines each student’s experience in a powerful way.”

The benefits extend well beyond academics, too. Apple picking at a local farm, visiting a bowling alley or enjoying a home-cooked meal together are some of the creative ways Conn’s advisers have fostered community and connection across campus.

“People who work here are connected to the community in different ways,” Balantic said. “The idea is to provide a unique perspective and that our lives aren’t separate. This campus has a context, and it’s the liberal arts.”



-- Learn more



August 22, 2017

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