Mapping out a Plan for Engagement and Integrative Learning in the First-Year

This presentation will provide students with an overview of USC Connect and help them intentionally map out a plan for their meaningful engagement on campus.  During the presentation students will reflect on their current and past experiences, and how these will influence their future involvement. This session engages students in group discussion and individual reflection. Specifically, it will outline what USC Connect and integrative learning are at the University of South Carolina. Students will leave with an intentional and personalized plan on how to connect what they are learning in their classroom experiences and their beyond the classroom activities. It expands upon the Student Engagement Plan that can be found in Chapter 3 of Transitions.

This session will not be offered until late September/ early October and is designed to help students after they have been exposed to opportunities for involvement on USC’s campus.

Learning Outcomes

The Mapping out a Plan for Engagement and Integrative Learning in the First- Year presentation supports University 101 learning outcomes:

I. Foster Academic Success
d. Use written and oral communication to discover, develop, and articulate ideas and viewpoints.
Students will discuss in group and write out goals on their own to develop a plan to give direction for their time in college.

II. Help Students Discover and Connect with the University of South Carolina
a. Identify appropriate campus resources and opportunities that contribute to their educational experience, goals, and campus engagement. 
Students will walk away not only knowing about additional campus resources and the importance of USC Connect, but they will have identified specific resources to help them reach their goals as a part of their plan.

As a result of attending this presentation students will:

• Describe what student engagement, USC Connect and integrative learning are and their importance at the University of South Carolina
• Reflect on what their past and current involvement
• Identify how to set S.M.A.R.T. goals and develop an engagement action plan
• Create a plan that tailors their interests with their academic pursuits

I. Introduction of Speaker, Office and Presentation Goals

II. Get Moving

• Engagement Bingo. Focusing on outside the classroom initiatives that connect high school to college.

III. Group Discussion

• What is student engagement? What is integrative learning?

IV. Overview of USC Connect

• "Participate Create Lead"- What does this mean for a student.
• Poster examples
• How have students seen USC Connect in action so far?
• Visit website and USC Connect database

V. Making Personal Engagement Plans

• Personal Reflection Questions
  • Allow students to answer questions individually
• Setting SMART goals process
  • Define S.M.A.R.T. Goals
  • Presenters will highlight a visual sample of what it means to draft a S.M.A.R.T. goal.
  • Ask students to share their goals
  • Have students utilize their peers in the classroom to find out about other opportunities.
  • Students will articulate how setting smart goals for their involvement will connect with their academic goals
• Next steps
  • Personal Reflection
  • Mind Mapping 101
  • Graduation with distinction (pending approval)
  • ACE Coaching
  • Discovery Day
  • Connection as instructor suggests

VI. Wrap Up

Presentation Length
50 minutes or 75 minutes