INside ..

The Douglas College Newsletter ml New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus

IN

Douglas College

 

Exploring the student experience builds strong relationships inside
and outside of the classroom.

 

Exploring the student
experience

Faculty, staff and
administrators from across
Douglas College came
together on May 3 to explore
the future of how the College

serves students.

“Our goal for the day was

to discuss how to position
Douglas College in BC’s
post-secondary education
sector as a provider of a
uniquely different educational
experience,” says Blaine
Jensen, VP Educational
Services, who hosted the
forum.

Dr. Ken Pawlak, from
Langara’s Employee
Development Centre, led the
55 participants in describing
core components of the
student experience based on
student input, the Academic
Signature, the Students First

plan and the Douglas College

Values.

‘The team discussed
assumptions about the student
experience and challenges

in engaging students to get
actively involved in shaping
services the College delivers.

Forum participants identified
key changes to help develop
College-wide service standards
based on surveys and input
from the Douglas College
student body.

‘The broad categories identified
by students would reinforce
an enviroment that is friendly
and personal, satisfying and
engaging, growth promoting/
transformational and relevant
and supportive.

“It was great to see so
many people energized and

enthused about how we can
make Douglas College an
exceptional place to learn. Our
next step is to validate our key
principles with the College
community and students. We
have a steering committee to
start that work,” says Jensen.

The forum was the latest in a
series of projects based on the
Student First plan to address
student recruitment and
retention issues.

Additional forums and events
will be held during the next
year to take the principles
identified, validate them with
students and employees, and
to establish cross-College
service standards.

 

 

Taking Four

‘The Office for New Students and Foundation staff lend
golfers a hand on the 13th hole during the Tri-Cities
Chamber of Commerce Golf’ Tournament held on May 17
at the Westwood Plateau Golf Course in Coquitlam.

 

(I to r): Brenden Mongeon, student volunteer; Kyle Baillie,
Manager Office for New Students; Alan Yang, student
volunteer; and Alexis Smith, Development Officer, Douglas
College Foundation.

 

Expanding horizons for students

Students seeking an
international education can
now benefit from two new
financial awards.

The Douglas College
International Studies Award
program offers a total of
$1,500 in support of students
who participate in learning
opportunities abroad.

Established by the Centre

for International Education
and the Douglas College
Foundation, the awards
promote educational
opportunities for students

to not only expand their
horizons but to complete part
of their program requirements

abroad.

Built on the College's
international education
strategies, the awards have the
potential to make a significant

contribution to the Academic
Signature goals of citizenship
by developing more globally

literate citizens.

The $1,500 will provide two
categories of funding.

‘The $1,000 Academic Program
Award will be granted to a
University ‘Transfer student
enrolled in a minimum of
nine credits in an academic
program overseas.

The Practicum Program
Award of $500 is available

for students who complete
the mandatory practicum
requirement of their program.

Applicants must have a
minimum 3.0 GPA, complete
an application form, provide

a letter of reference from a
faculty member and get signed
approval from their dean.

Funding will be awarded
for students participating
in academic exchanges with
partnering institutions;
field school projects; service
learning; internships,
practicums and unpaid or
partially paid co-operative
work terms.

The first awards will be
presented by June 15 for 2007.
Subsequent awards will be
given out by April 30 each
year.

For more information contact
the Centre for International
Education at 604-527-5650 or
email at cie@douglas.be.ca

 

Quote of the Month

“No price is set on the lavish summer; June may be had by the poorest comer.”

—James Russell Lowell, Zhe Vision of Sir Launfal (pt. I, prelude)