Enhancing collaborative learning at Meredith was the topic of study for a team of four faculty and administrative staff members who attended the five-day Summer Academy sponsored by the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE) in July. Meredith was one of four women’s colleges that participated at the invitation of AAHE, in conjunction with the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), to work on a project related to the use of NSSE data on our campus. The Lumina Foundation generously covered the registration fees for this group of colleges.

Meredith has participated in NSSE for the past three years and has consistently scored above the means for participating national and master’s institutions in five areas of educational effectiveness that have been designated as truly mattering in the quality of undergraduate education. Active and collaborative learning is an area in which the College hopes to improve, based on previous NSSE scores. Visit www.iub.edu/~nsse/ for more information on areas measured by the NSSE.

Meredith team members were Chrissie Bumgardner, Sue Kearney (project coordinator), Allen McAlexander, and Barbara True-Weber (team leader). Linda Fitz-Simons is also on the team but was unable to attend the Academy. The Meredith team heard renowned speakers, consulted with experts, attended sessions on various important issues in higher education, and worked diligently on developing a plan for educating the campus more fully about collaborative learning.

Opportunities, such as the "Becoming Better Teachers Through Collaborative Learning" offered during the Faculty and Staff Planning Week, are planned for the year to explore more fully the benefits of collaborative learning, best practices in this important learning strategy, and ways to evaluate outcomes.

COLLEGE SPONSORS FREE EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR EMPLOYEES

Have you been hoping to add exercise to your routine?
Meredith College makes it easier to work exercise into your busy schedule by offering three free exercise classes -- Yoga, Aerobics, and Resista-Balls -- for faculty and staff.

The Aerobics class, taught by Noelle Gandy, meets every Monday and Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in the Movement Lab, located in the Weatherspoon Gym.

Yoga, which meets from 5:15-6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is also held in the Movement Lab. Claire McCullough, assistant vice president for graduate and professional studies, teaches yoga.

The Resista-Balls class, taught by Laura Bradford, meets in Kresge Auditorium from noon – 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

To sign up for a class, or for more information, contact Ruth Pearce, campus nurse, at ext. 8139. Classes will meet through the end of the semester.

PLEASE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW EMPLOYEES TO MEREDITH:
(provided by the Office of Human Resources)

Juan Avila, grounds
Rebecca Benson, grounds
Meredith Bynum, admissions
Carrie Cokely, sociology and social work
Judith Dearlove, English
Jenny Egnaczak, housekeeping
Daniel Green, student development
Timothy Hendrix, mathematics and computer science
Linda Hubbard, education
Leigh Ann Johnson, residence life
Donald Knowlton, maintenance
Malgorzata Lee, foreign language and literature
Rebecca McQueen, residence life
John Milewicz, business and economics
Andrea Powell, Honors program
Aarom Schettler, grounds
Paul Schuette, mathematics and computer science
Marie Sumerel, Career Center
Anna Walston, admissions
Heather Wilson, residence life

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