While other college departments use the summer months to catch up on old business and prepare for the upcoming academic year, the Seton Hall University Freshman Studies department revs in to high gear.
The department's Seton Summer Scholars program brings a cohort of students to campus for a six-week program to address academic weaknesses and prepare these incoming students for the rigors of college. Students who are successful in this summer program are granted admission to the Class of 2013 in the fall.
Academic “Boot Camp”
This academic “boot camp,” now in its fourth year, runs from July 1 to August 6 and is aimed at students whose tests scores and GPAs were close to the admission standard and who would benefit from the college preparation program.
“In the Seton Summer Scholars program, participants learn to be students,” said Tracy Gottlieb, dean of Freshman Studies.
Since its inception in 2006, the program has more than tripled in size, with seventy-one students participating this summer. Its director, Robin Cunningham, supervises a staff of Freshman Studies mentors, tutors, graduate students and undergraduate students who help shape the summer experience.
During the program, students are engaged on campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They spend their days taking seven credits, performing community service, participating in educational and cultural activities, visiting the Writing Center, and becoming acclimated to college life.
“If I weren't in this program, I feel like I would be lost this fall,” said Lauren Romeo, a commuting Summer Scholar from Livingston, N.J.
All students take a writing course. In addition, they choose from one of three lecture courses in interdisciplinary history, theatre or sociology. The school day always finishes with a study period and individualized tutoring.
Students also take a one-credit study skills class on Wednesday mornings and the afternoons are dedicated to educational trips and cultural studies.
One Wednesday during the program is always dedicated to community service. Students have visited nursing homes and food banks in the past, and this year students held activities on campus for the South Mountain YMCA summer day camp.
Other activities include a trip to a Broadway show and museums in New York City and Newark. This summer the students attended “In The Heights” on Broadway and spent an afternoon at the American Museum of Natural History.
Love Blue, Go Green Science Symposium
This year marks the first science symposium for Seton Summer Scholars, titled “Love Blue, Go Green.” Students have been researching environmental issues with mentors from the university science departments, and will present their topics on August 3, where they will offer methods for Seton Hall to go green.
More Than a Summer Program
Once students finish the summer program, the program is far from over.
“I don't think of Seton Summer Scholars simply as a summer program; it is really a first year program,” said Cunningham. “Throughout the school year, the Summer Scholars are required to attend a weekly study hall, and we check in regularly with their professors to remain informed of their progress and needs.”
The Seton Summer Scholars was first developed by Dean Gottlieb with a grant from the Independent College Fund in New Jersey, an organization that has continued to assist with funding. May 2010 will mark the first graduating class for the program.
For more information please contact:
Tracy Gottlieb
(973) 761-9786
Agnes.Gottlieb@shu.edu |
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