In 2010-11, the Division of Student Affairs completed an intensive review and update to its divisional tactical plan.  This new plan, which will guide the work of the division and its departments for the next several years, is structured around a series of student learning outcomes within five key areas of student development: practical competence, cognitive and interpersonal mastery, character and identity development, civic literacy and engagement, and collaborative excellence.  This new and innovative plan, along with the realignment of the division's administrative structure to the Office of the Provost, creates a tighter connection between what students learn both in the classroom and outside of it. Click here to view the model.

Academic planning and assessment is providing renewed focus and vigor to Scranton's learning environment.  Each of the three undergraduate colleges - the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management, and the Panuska College of Professional Studies - the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, and the Weinberg Memorial Library - have all developed new strategic plans.  These plans help guide their support of the University's strategic plan and identify means for continuous improvement and focused growth.  With the establishment of the new position of Director of Assessment and Accreditation within the College of Arts and Sciences, each of the undergraduate colleges have a position dedicated to student learning assessment support.

Experiential Learning

In 2010, several academic and administrative offices worked together through the University's newly-created Internship Task Force.  The Task Force, coordinated by the division of Student Affairs, the group clarified the definitions and requirements of various types of experiential activities.

In 2010, the number of internships completed by students in the College of Arts and Sciences increased by 12%. In the Kania School of Management 36 students completed an internship and 128 took part in the college's mentoring program; the college's ten-week internship program in accounting continues to offer an outstanding learning opportunity for students, and as a model for the development for other academic programs. In the Panuska College of Professional Studies, emphasis on experiential learning opportunities continues to grow though practicum, internship, traineeship, and other learning applications.  Over 485 such opportunities were completed in the 2010-11 year by PCPS students. The College of Graduate and Continuing Education has developed a comprehensive guide to support mentoring opportunities for graduate students.  The guide outlines a philosophy and vision for mentoring at the graduate level, the College's role in the mentoring process, effective mentoring practices, and guidelines for establishing partnerships for successful mentoring.

The Office of Alumni and Public Relations has developed initiatives through several alumni groups - including the President's Alumni Liaisons, The Medical Alumni Council, the Council of Alumni Lawyers, and Beyond the Commons to cultivate mentoring opportunities for Scranton students. The Office has developed its own internship program to offer students learning opportunities in news & media relations, social media, marketing communications, and conference and events services.  

In addition to creating opportunities for Scranton students to be mentored, opportunities for students to be mentors themselves are also expanding.  This past year, the Office of Career Services partnered with the University's Community Outreach Office to secure a grant of $14,000 to assist underserved local students with career related issues; eight University students were trained to serve as career mentors as part of this program.

Scholarships and Fellowships

The University has a long history of cultivating students of exceptional ability who go on to achieve prestigious scholarships.  In 2010-11, six Scranton students were awarded Fulbright Fellowships, two were named Goldwater Scholars, and one was named a Truman Scholar.  The University hosted four Fulbright language teaching assistants from the nations of Japan, China, France, and Argentina in its Department of World Languages and Cultures, and three visiting Fulbright fellows from China.  And, the University's Assistant Director of Career Services, Betty Rozelle, earned and Administrative Fulbright Award to study the delivery of career services within the German system of Higher Education. 

New Programs

Over the past year, the University has been carefully examining the living and learning components of the freshman experience. Following extensive review by University faculty and academic and student services leadership, a new freshman seminar has been developed, which will be piloted in fall 2011.  The new program is designed to welcome freshman fully into the academic life of the University, introducing them to our Ignatian heritage and mission, with a focus on Jesuit pedagogy involving context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation.

In July 2010, the University joined with the region's Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) to offer a dual degree of Doctor of Medicine and Health Administration (MD-MHA).  This program provides a host of academic opportunities for Scranton and TCMC students, and will also help to serve the growing demands for primary medical care in our region through residencies with local health care facilities.  In 2010, fourteen research faculty at TCMC were provided adjunct faculty status at the University to further develop collaborative relationships between our institutions and grow professional mentoring relationships between TCMC faculty and Scranton students.

In 2001, the University offered a new Entrepreneurship minor in the Kania School of Management. In conjunction with this academic program and the University's Small Business Development Center, the University's Women's Business Center opened this past year. The Center offer undergraduate internship opportunities to serve as consultants to small businesses in the area and to women clients seeking to open businesses of their own. The Panuska College of Professional Studies has introduced a LPN to BS degree in nursing.  University students can now explore three new academic concentrations: Community Health Education, Peace and Justice, and an interdisciplinary concentration in Asian Studies became fully operational in fall 2011. In its first year, the Asian Studies program has offered 36 courses, and has served 850 students.  The program has served to introduce a number of cultural fora and events to campus, including performances of the Taiwan Bangi Opera Company in April 2011.

Athletics

2010 was a big year for Scranton athletics.  The University invested considerable dollars in growing operational budgets for sports programming and coaching development, and developed and launched a new web site and social media feeds featuring news and information about Scranton athletics.  Over $100,000 was raised for athletics through the inaugural Carlesimo Awards Dinner to help continue these investment efforts. To help guide our student athletes in their learning experience, the Athletics Department created a new student athlete handbook in 2011.