IWU's First Year Frequency

Celebrating the start of a new school, year, the FYF returns to the air with a great show featuring Chandra Shipley, the Director of Academic Advising who talks about your student's first course registrations, the first days of classes and the Academic Skills Series--designed to help make good students better students and support first year students adjustment to college-level work and rigor.  We'll also give a listen to the keynote address by Dr. Carmela Ferradons, the featured speaker at your student's First Year Convocation.  Her address is a celebration of the liberal arts and contains wishes and supports for your student's liberal arts journey.  Richard Von Helms, from the Class of 2020, stops by to talk about his own academic journey as the liberal arts tapped him on the shoulder while studying marketing.  Here, Richard found a love and passion for graphic design, and has spent the summer working in the Dean of Student's Office creating visual outreach for the academic theme for the year--Changing Climates.  We think our students have interesting stories to tell and insights on the student experience, and Richard is charming and insightful as he reflects on his academic choices, interests and offers advice to both new students and their parents.  We wrap with some talking points, and are so excited for the next weeks to bring more opportunities to share information and ideas to help parents support their students through the transition from HS to college...on the First Year Frequency!

It is always an enlightening conversation with Dr. Annorah Moorman, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the IWU Counseling and Consultation Services.  We engaged Annorah in a wide-ranging conversation about the multiple layers of transition that students are experiencing, and the ways that they can engage existing coping strategies and employ additional methods to gain capacity, buffer stress and exhibit resilience. Annorah provides a realistic approach grounded in a depth of clinical knowledge and experience with generations of students that simply can't be matched, and we were incredibly grateful for her thoughts, perspectives and advice.  

Liz Vales from Student Activities and Leadership Programs along with Alanna Hill from Fraternity and Sorority Life visited the FYF to talk about student involvement.  IWU students have a myriad of opportunities from which to choose to fill out-of-class hours.  From entertainment to service, leadership development to Greek life, clubs and organizations--students find a rich pastiche of fun, fellowship and rewarding activity to choose from as they get to know campus, the community, classmates and even themselves.  Program features framing what to do in the days ahead and Talking Points for Parents round out the program.

The last show of the series takes a look at the rigor of finals and supports for students.  How to manage concerns about performance and preparation for Spring Semester is discussed.  Talking points for making the most of the break and setting expectations are shared.  Chandra Shipley, Director of Academic Advising brings her expertise and knowledge to the mic as we wrap up the series.

Dean Karla comes into the studio on our penultimate show to talk about the work of the Dean and the Division of Student Affairs.  We also look at the close of the semester--supports and semester celebrations as students head into finals.  Hanna Mesouani from ODI pops in to talk about our upcoming observance of KWANZAA.

Patrick Zajak, from the Hart Career Center, has a post-show bonus for parents--In this short segment, Patrick gives parents a little more information about Handshake--our new online career services management system. Handshake is a state-of-the art and robust online system used by universities, students, and employers across the nation. Handshake is a one-stop source for job and internship postings, campus recruiting, career fairs, and career center resources.

Warren Kistner and Patrick Zajak from the Hart Career Center talk about the many services and programs available to support students as they find their passion and purpose. The Hart Career Center's staff are dedicated to career guidance, internship facilitation, graduate school advising, and job search assistance. A wide variety of career related events are coordinated throughout the year to assist students in these four areas.  Specific suggestions and talking points for parents are offered.

College is a time of deep learning but also a time of clarifying values and for many, discerning the role of faith and faith traditions.  At IWU, these developmental tasks are not only supported, but they are celebrated--and through the work of the Chaplain and our Multi Faith Ambassadors, student inquiry and shared experience create safe space to live, work and be.  Faith and action blend to give students opportunities to do well and to do good.  Listen to this lively discussion with Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger. 

IWU is committed to providing students with a comprehensive world view and of preparing them to succeed in an interconnected global society. The University's study abroad programs are an integral part of this effort, and Stacey Shimizu leads us in a great discussion of  opportunities available to students.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion creates transformative learning experiences for students through fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that promotes an understanding and appreciation for social justice, diversity, and cross-cultural engagement. Preparing students for responsible citizenship and global leadership, ODI provides education, activities and support to the whole of our community.  Leading the efforts, Kwame Patterson and Hannah Mesouani, provide insights into this critical work.

Students are busy with paper, projects and midterms, and many are looking forward to Fall Break (October 19), but they should also be preparing for their advising sessions for Spring semester and May Term.  Chandra Shipley, Director of Academic Advising joins us to talk about advising and academics--and supports along the way for both students and parents. 

Professor Carolyn Nadeau drops by the studio to talk about academics and faculty expectations.  Students are busily attending to papers, projects and mid-terms, and for first year students it can feel overwhelming.  Some are holding up well, and others need to pick up the pace.  Listen to one of our top scholars talk about learning and the first year experience.

It's always fun to bring experts to share insights about the First Year Experience and in this week's show tow of the best--Dr. Phyllis McClusky-Titus and my dear friend and former colleague, Dr. Matthew Damschroder discuss the developmental tasks and learning that your students are engaged in as they traverse these first weeks at school.  The maturation process is often surprising, gratifying, confusing and amusing for parents--Matt and Dr. Phyllis break it down for us.  Talking points and a look at events at IWU round out the show.

Students spend nearly 80% of their time outside of the classroom and in the places they live--we know that gives us both an opportunity and an obligation to provide more than a place for students to hang their hats each night.  Liz Vales reminds us that significant learning takes place outside of classrooms, and students experience a seamless learning environment as they develop leaderships skills, time management, recognition of passion and purpose, and self-care through recreation and play.  Vital life long learning takes place and Liz reminds us that its not all fun and play.  Talking points round out the show with an eye toward Family Weekend activities.

Dr. Brandon Common reviews the activities and purposes of highlighted high-impact learning that occurred during Turning Titan and focuses our attention to the continuing orientation opportunities for First Year students as they make that transition from high school to college.  The confluence between academic life and co-curricular activities and involvements create the seamless experience students enjoy at Illinois Wesleyan.  A look at events coming up and the offering of this week's talking points round out a lively evening on the First Year Frequency. 

What fun last night on our last regularly scheduled show of the year--such great conversation with Chandra Shipley, our Director of Advising and Disability Services. Lots of resources shared regarding finals week--from preparation for exams to what to do if grades are not as expected. We talked about resources, options and next steps for first year students...and families.

IWU is a multicultural and multi-religious community, and the Office of University Chaplain celebrates the religious and secular diversity of today’s students, faculty, and staff. Diverse beliefs, convictions, and spiritual practices are welcome here as are a diversity of questions. Questions—about who we are and what we are for—are perennial in and for the liberal arts tradition.  Through programs and activities, Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger gives space for the asking of those questions and for individuals to discover their truths, affirm values and align beliefs to action.  Through community service opportunities in the Bloomington-Normal community or on a Lakota reservation to annual spring break trips to build houses and tend to neighborhood needs, the Chaplaincy at IWU brings our diverse campus together in service, exploration and fellowship.  Enjoy this conversation with Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger as we learn more about these vibrant programs in our penultimate episode of the First Year Frequency.  Talking points include information about activities and tips for responding to the cyclical pressures that some students are feeling as the semester steams closer to finals and papers, projects and exams come due.

The First Year Frequency welcomes Stacey Shimizu, the Director of the International Office to discuss the myriad of options open to students considering study abroad programs.  Study abroad and domestic off-campus study programs are critical opportunities that students engage in to develop capacity and cultural fluency, and not surprisingly, over half of students will engage in off-campus study during their time at IWU.  Also featured in this broadcast are the voices of students reflecting on their travel abroad experiences.

The Director of the Hart Career Center, Warren Kistner, came by the studio to share information about the many services and activities that the Hart Career Center offers in support of students as they recognize their strengths and interests leading to choices regarding their life's work.  The Hart Career Center is far more than a placement service--and it is essential that first year students begin to avail themselves of supports that will help them build experiences and competencies that facilitate successful internship matches, effective resumes, and confident job searches and/or applications for fellowships, graduate schools, professional schools and other post graduate opportunities.

On our 8th week of the broadcast, colleagues from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Greta Franklin and Hanna Mesouani, engaged in a lively discussion regarding the important work they do across campus to meet the needs of various constituencies and to help the whole of our community realize the promise and challenge of engaging difference.  Diversity is an institutional value, as expressed in our Mission Statement.  It reads, in part, "The Illinois Wesleyan experience affords the greatest possibilities for realizing individual potential while preparing students for democratic citizenship and life in a global society." It goes on to state, "The University through our policies, programs and practices is committed to diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability".  And finally, it closes talking about a concept familiar to our FYF listeners—support and challenge--"A tightly knit, supportive university community, together with a variety of opportunities for close interaction with excellent faculty, both challenges and supports students in their personal and intellectual development."  Enjoy our conversation with Greta and Hanna as we talk about diversity, the supports and challenges that campus life provides for students and the opportunities for growth and development as students learn to embrace difference within this learning community.