University 101 Names Dan Friedman New Director
Columbia, SC (March 3, 2008) – Dan Friedman has been named director of University 101 programs at the University of South Carolina, effective June 2, 2008. Friedman follows Daniel Berman, who served as director from 1999 until his recent retirement from the University.
Friedman is currently a faculty member in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies at Appalachian State University. He served as director of the Freshman Seminar and Summer Preview at Appalachian from 2004 to 2007. Prior to that, he served as assistant to the director from 1998 to 2001. While earning a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Virginia, Friedman maintained a connection with Appalachian by serving as the director of Summer Preview.
Friedman holds a B.S. in History and a M.A. and Ed.S. in higher education administration, all from Appalachian State University and earned his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Virginia. In addition to his direct experience leading a first-year seminar program, Friedman has been involved in the national conversation regarding the First-Year Experience. Friedman already has a connection with the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, having made numerous presentations at the annual First-Year Experience conferences and has served as an invited faculty member the past two years at the Summer Institute on First-Year Assessment. His most recent article was published in the spring 2007 edition of the Journal of the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, and Friedman also was a contributor to the Exploring the Evidence, Vol. III monograph published in 2005.
“It is well established that the first year of college sets the foundation for future success. New college students need an appropriate mix of challenge and support in order to make a successful transition to college, both academically and socially,” Friedman said. “First-year seminars are essential vehicles in helping students learn their new academic culture and transition into a new environment.”
In announcing Friedman’s appointment, Mary Stuart Hunter, assistant vice provost and executive director of University 101 Programs and the National Resource Center, said, “Dan Friedman brings a wealth of knowledge to the University following the great work he’s done at Appalachian State. We’re extremely excited about the direction the University 101 Program can take under his leadership.”
Hunter also announced that Jennifer Latino, assistant director for University 101 Programs, would serve as interim director until Friedman begins work on June 2.
Friedman said the Freshman Seminar program at Appalachian was modeled on the University 101 at the University of South Carolina. He cites outstanding faculty development efforts and a strategic assessment focus along with intentional institutional efforts as essential elements for a successful program.
“Given that the development of Appalachian’s Freshman Seminar program was influenced and inspired heavily by the program at South Carolina, it is an honor to be able to work with the most prestigious and well-respected first-year program in the country,” Friedman said.
####### For additional information, please contact:
Rico R. Reed, Coordinator of Public Relations and Resource Development
National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition
Phone: (803) 777-6225; Fax: (803) 777-9358; Email: rico@mailbox.sc.edu |
