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WRITTEN BY US Undergraduate Studies Newsletter

Undergraduate Studies Undergraduate Studies is a student advocate unit which provides a quality assurance program for first-and-second year students. In collaboration with the academic colleges, it ensures preparation for the rigor of their intended majors,engagement in leadership, service, citizenship, and community development activities.

Undergraduate Studies is comprised of three major programs: The First Year Experience, W. E. B. Du Bois Honors College, and University College; and six ancillary programs: Freshman/Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week, FirstYear Assessment, First-Year Advisement, Student Retention Services, Transfer Services, and Comprehensive Academic Support Services.$

Contact Phone: 601-979-2127$ Website: http://www.jsums.edu/ugstudies/$

Fall 2013

Foundations of Excellence: First College Year Self Study

By Patricia Sheriff-Taylor# Jackson State University applied and was selected to participate in 2013-2014 national select cohort for the Foundations of Excellence® (FoE®) in the First College Year Self-Study. This year long self-study is designed to enhance new student learning, engagement and retention through a systematic appraisal process based on an aspirational model developed by the Gardner Institute.$ Project co-liaisons, Dr. Evelyn J. Leggette and Patricia Sheriff-Taylor, have assembled key groups which will carry out this project, including a set of nine “Dimensional Subcommittees” and a campus-wide Task Force comprised of all Foundations participants. The Task Force examine the Dr. Evelyn J. University’s effectiveness in: recruiting, Leggette, Dean of admitting, orienting, supporting, advising, and Undergraduate teaching new students based on the following Studies components: Foundational Dimensions®, nine aspirational principles of excellence that serve as the intellectual framework for the FoE process, Current Practices Inventory (CPI), two surveys which measure both faculty/staff and new student perceptions of the campus’s achievement of Foundational Dimensions, final report, report card, and implementation plan. The self-study portion of the FoE process culminates with the development of a final narrative report, a “report card” to be used to grade institutional performance on each Dimension, and a strategic implementation plan. It is the goal of this project to produce recommendations for institutional improvement leading to higher levels of student learning, success and persistence in college.$

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The PRACTICE

By Althea F. Woodson# The PRACTICE (Peer-Reviewed Actions Correlate To Intense Careful Efforts) is a new committee in University College. This committee is a functioning professional learning community that provides an informal venue for ongoing collaboration, team building, and support among colleagues to create consistent and beneficial rapport in the workplace. The Practice held its first meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 2:30pm in the Charles F. Moore Building in room 108. The luncheon meeting was a pleasurable success. Members of the faculty and staff were in attendance. MeShonya Wren-Coleman represented the Academic Support Team well by presenting their informative PowerPoint titled, Twelve Steps to Academic Success. The presentation served as an explanatory tool to communicate the driving force, purpose, and current objectives for the Academic Support Team. The committee is currently inviting all staff and faculty to join. Membership dues are thirty dollars per year. If you would like more information, please contact, the chairperson, Dr. Shirley Burnett.$

W. E. B. Du Bois Honors College Corner ByVenetia Miller# The W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College has gotten off to an electrifying start this semester!

Under the exceptional leadership of an incredibly energetic Associate Dean, approximately 200 freshmen enrolled as Honors College members at Jackson State University. In September, two dynamic informational sessions were held in the residence halls. Honors College members received valuable information regarding membership in Honor Societies at Jackson State University. $ Of special significance was the Honors College monthly meeting in October. Honors College students had the opportunity to meet and dialog with Jackson State University faculty and staff members who graduated from the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College: Dr. Mark Henderson, Dr. Preselfannie McDaniels, Dr. Ashton Hamme, Cason Burke, Shondra Thompson, and. F. Janelle Jefferson. $ The "Well-Being: Mind, Body & Soul" Pajama Event held in McAllister-Whiteside Residence Hall, facilitated by Dr. Lori Fulton was an enormous success as well. Dr. Fulton shared critical information regarding young women's physical, mental and emotional health. Honors College members thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming Weekend. Mr. and Miss Honors College Nick Leach and Alexius Paige, participated in the Coronation. The Honors College received an Honorable Mention plaque for entering a beautifully decorated car and float in the Homecoming parade. $ With so many wonderful things going on in the Honors College, the new Honors College text alert system has proven to be a great asset in keeping students notified of relevant information. After being informed of available NASA Internship opportunities, 6 Honors College students (having competed with other students globally) were selected for the second phase of the selection process. In addition, 105 eligible Honors College juniors and seniors were nominated for Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.$ November was an impressive month in the Honors College as well! Dr. Freda Bush was the guest speaker at the Honors College Monthly Meeting. She reviewed her astounding new book, HOOKED, with students. There was a fundamental "Test Prep" session in November to assist Honors College members preparing for finals and standardized exams. The W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College is truly on the move! Stay tuned for further developments! $

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Tau Sigma National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

By Jennifer Scott Gilmore# The Office of Transfer Student Services hosted its inaugural Tau Sigma National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on October 29, 2013. Tau Sigma National Honor Society is an academic honor society designed to recognize and promote academic excellence amongst transfer students. The minimum grade point average for membership into Tau Sigma is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Tau Sigma Inaugural Induction Ceremony honored the academic achievement of forty-four outstanding transfer students at Jackson State University. There were also five honorary members inducted into Tau Sigma. The honorary members included Dr. Carolyn Meyers, Dr. James Renick, Dr. Evelyn Leggette, Dr. Loria Brown Gordon, and Dr. Marie O'Banner Jackson. Dr. Steven Smith, Director of Alumni and Constituency Relations was the speaker for the occasion. Dr. Smith spoke to the inductees stating "You are the elite amongst students at JSU." During the ceremony, the inductees recited the membership pledge and received their membership certificate and pin. Jennifer Scott-Gilmore, Tau Sigma Chief Advisor presided over the ceremony and stated, "This is a great day for transfer students of JSU." She went on to say, "one of the goals of Tau Sigma is to increase the visibility of the academic accomplishments of transfer students and today, I believe we have achieved that goal. I am so proud of what they have accomplished.”$ Tau Sigma Inaugural Charter, Epsilon Eta Chapter is one of three established charters at Mississippi’s public universities and the ONLY charter at an historically black institution in the state. As a member of the Epsilon Eta Chapter at JSU, members make connections with other transfer students, become involved in the local chapter, and have the opportunity to gain leadership experience. Membership is by invitation only following the transfer student first term at JSU. For more information concerning Tau Sigma, please contact Jennifer Scott-Gilmore @ jennifer.e.scott@jsums.edu.$

2013 Mississippi Advisors' Meeting

By Monesa Watts# Jackson State University hosted the 2013 Mississippi Advisors’ Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2013. The purpose of the Mississippi Advisors’ Meeting is to provide professional development and continuing education for advisors in the state of Mississippi; to create an environment of networking; to set common goals for fellow advisors; to emphasize the importance of advising; and to stress the mission of the National Advising Association and encourage attendance at the regional and national conferences of NACADA.$ The theme “iAdvising…Advisement on a Global Scale” brought together professionals

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The Value of Service

By Tiffany S. Harrington# Prized heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” As such, I recently had the opportunity to volunteer at The Brumfield Shelter for Men along with one of my current students, Keonna Washington. Keonna and I were assigned to kitchen duties that included setting the dining tables and preparing salad and red beans with rice bowls. I gained much from the service project, including the opportunity to interact with my student outside the classroom.

When asked about her personal experience at the shelter, Keonna replied, “It was fun getting to learn more about how other people live. The experience taught me the importance of helping others and not taking what we have for granted.”

from all areas of academia to present research and best practices in academic advising and advising with technology. The conference offered the attendees eleven (11) dynamic, stimulating, and academic advising and technology filled presentations to enhance the professional development of attendees in academic advising. The conference luncheon speaker, Dr. Lawrence. T. Potter, Jr., reflected on the Student, Transition, Advising, and Retention Services (STARS) initiated in the College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University and reminded the audience the important of adaptability, flexibility, and authenticity in ensuring retention and the success of our students at Jackson State University.$ Dr. Robert Blaine shared a glimpse of Cyberlearning at JSU with the conference attendees. He elaborated on the upcoming Innovate Lab located in the library that transcend and enhance our current teaching and research capabilities with the aid of technology tools at JSU.$ Upcoming NACADA Conference: NACADA SE Region 4 Conference April 1 - 3, 2014, Savannah, GA

Achievements of University College • National Alpha Lambda Delta awarded the 2013 Delta Gold Award to the Jackson State University Chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta Chapter for the amazing 100% increase in Membership from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013.$ • Moderated "First Generations College Students: The Dreams, the Challenges, the Answers" November 14, 2013 in the College of Business.$ • Participated in a video inter view regarding CORE (Commitment, Organization, Responsibility, and Education) to be aired at the NCAA Convention in San Diego, California in January, 2014.$ • Attended MAC Conference October 21-22 and MAM November 4, 2013$ • Inducted in Tau Sigma Honor Society October 29, 2013.$ • Presented at MADE in Oxford, Mississippi.$ • Participated in JSU Innovate Day$ • Participated in Cayuse Training $ • Visited Boys and Girls Club$ • Participated in Homecoming Festivities, Coronation, and Parade

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Ipad Savvy Differentiated Instruction in Intermediate Algebra

By Dr. Shirley Burnett# The Center of Undergraduate Research (CUR) has recently afforded me an opportunity to mentor five students on a research project titled The iPad Savvy Differentiated Instruction in Intermediate Algebra. The project require the use of iPads and other available technologies, such as Android tablets and laptops to increase student engagement, faculty-student interaction, and collaborative learning using the WorkSpace Software and the WorkSpace Connect App. The software and app allow the instructor and students to turn the iPad, Android tablet, and laptop into a mobile interactive whiteboard, which will allow them to access course content, respond to discussions, participate in group activities, and complete assignments from anywhere in the classroom. The purpose of this study is to explore various apps and websites students use in their mathematics course and to determine if significant differences exist in engagement and performance outcomes of students who participate in iPad Savvy Differentiated Instruction in Intermediate Algebra versus students who do not participate in iPad Savvy Differentiated Instruction in Intermediate Algebra. The aims are to derive an effective instructional model for developmental mathematics students, to publish a peer-reviewed article, present findings at a conference, and to obtain a grant proposal to support and expand the research.$

MADE Executive Board

By Linda M. Wheeler# Linda M. Wheeler, Instructor of English, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the Executive Board of the Mississippi Association for Developmental Education (MADE). She previously served as President of the Organization. As President, she was credited with bringing the MADE conference to Jackson State University for the first time in the Organization's 31 year history, increasing membership, and rebuilding the budget. The annual conference was held on November 7 and 8 on the campus of Ole Miss in Oxford, MS.$

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Undergraduate Studies in Action 

LaTonya Robinson-Kanonu received award recognition from the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for First Year Students for five years of service to the Society.$

Fall 2013

Jennifer ScottGilmore and Janelle Hannah-Jeerson

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