Several nationally and internationally known educators from throughout the United States will gather at USC this spring to lead discussions on three high profile topics in higher education.

The discussions, sponsored by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, will be broadcast live to campuses throughout the country as part of the center's annual teleconference series, produced by USC's University Instructional Services.

Via satellite and Web cast from Columbia, nine experts will address issues relating to sophomore students, campus culture, and students of color during three teleconferences in March and April. These topics are of growing interest at institutions across the country, said M. Stuart Hunter, director of the National Resource Center and host of the teleconferences. Colleges and universities strive to improve the educational experience for students, and these three topics address subjects related to student and institutional success.

"The National Resource Center is pleased to be presenting these teleconferences and, in so doing, encouraging campuswide discussions on matters of critical significance," Hunter said. "Our panelists are national authorities on these topics and will no doubt draw extensive national audiences via satellite and Web cast dissemination. We are delighted that the University of South Carolina is able to take the lead in raising the national dialogue on these important topics."

Each two-hour teleconference will be moderated by Columbia broadcast veteran Carolyn Sawyer and will provide viewers the opportunity to interact with panelists by telephone, e-mail, or fax. A resource packet of materials also will be mailed to participants upon request.

The first teleconference, "The Forgotten Student: Understanding and Supporting Sophomores," will air on March 9. Featured panelists include Marcia Baxter-Magolda, distinguished professor of educational leadership, Miami University of Ohio; Rajesh Bellani, dean of Colgate University's Sophomore-Year Experience Program; and Ed Chan, assistant professor of English and director of the Sophomore-Year Experience, Kennesaw State University.

The panel of experts will discuss students' second-year experiences and provide successful strategies that address the unique needs of this sometimes forgotten population.

On March 30, the topic will be "Cultivating Campus Cultures that Value Student Success." Panelists will include Catherine Andersen, professor of communication studies and director of the First-Year Experience, Gallaudet University; John Gardner, executive director of the Policy Center on the First Year of College; and George D. Kuh, chancellor's professor of higher education, Indiana University-Bloomington.

The panel will address questions, including what does your institution value? what people and activities are celebrated? do your standard operating procedures reflect what your mission says is desirable? and do you feel change is necessary to achieve campus goals, but feel powerless to accomplish it?

The final installment of the teleconference series, "Shattering Barriers: Transforming the College Experience for Students of Color," will air April 20. Featured panelists include Evette Castillo, former assistant dean of students at San Diego State University; Wynetta Lee, associate vice president for academic planning, research, and graduate studies, California State University-Monterey Bay; and Laura Rendon , professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University.

The panel will discuss diversity and offer some proven strategies to transform institutions into places where a growing and highly diverse student population can succeed.

USC faculty and staff can participate in each teleconference. Faculty and staff on the Columbia campus can view the teleconferences in the main Conference Room (Room 33) at UIS, via our Web cast, or on Gamecock Cable Channel 10. All broadcasts are from 1 to 3 p.m. Site coordinators for regional campuses should contact Bert Easter at the National Resource Center for channel information.

Comprehensive resource packets are also available. To obtain a resource packer or for more information about the series, contact Easter at 7-6306 or go to www.sc.edu/fye.

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