The Office for the Academic Experience is responsible for programs that provide students and faculty with the support services necessary for a high-quality academic experience. Academic Advising; New Student Programs, including Orientation; the Center for Student Learning; Undergraduate Academic Services; the Office of the First-Year Experience; and the Center for Faculty Development report directly to the Associate Vice President for the Academic Experience, Dr. Kay Smith.
            Established July 1, 2007, the Office of the First-Year Experience is responsible for developing a new and more intentional First-Year Experience for our students. The First-Year Experience will have two curricular elements: a topic-focused first year seminar, taught by roster faculty in small discussion-oriented sessions; and learning communities linking two or more classes together, plus a synthesis seminar guided by a student peer facilitator. Dr. Susan Kattwinkel has been named Director of the First-Year Experience.
            The Associate Vice President for the Academic Experience is a member of the Provost’s Academic Council and serves as a member of the General Education committee. Dr. Smith also co-chairs the Recruitment and Retention subcommittee for the Strategic Diversity Council.  She is the co-chair, along with Don Burkard, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Planning, of a new task force that will examine data to determine the reasons for student departure from the College.  She has worked closely with Transfer & Adult Student Admissions and Trident Technical College to develop a transfer bridge program, the Keystone Collaborative, for students from low-income families or the first generation to attend college.

Office for the Academic Experience
110 Randolph Hall
(843) 953-2274

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