LinC Learning Communities Program

1. LinC Learning Communities Program Update to Academic Senate on Fall 2014 Pilot

2. Purpose • The purpose of the Graduation Initiative is to support academic success through programs that assist in: • Decreasing time to graduation for all students and • Decreasing disparity in degree completion among our underrepresent minority (URM) students.

3. Background • The Graduation Initiative Steering Committee assembled the Learning Communities Exploratory Committee to investigate the need and viability of themed learning communities at Cal Poly Pomona. • The Exploratory Committee recommended that themed learning communities should be piloted at Cal Poly Pomona. • The Graduation Initiative accepted the recommendation.

4. Background • The GI submitted announcements for participation on the Learning Communities Pilot Committee and chair for the committee. • Anne Wolke was selected at the chair of the pilot (Teshia Roby is acting chair in her absence). • Kenneth M. Stahl, Jason Rothman, Julie Shen, and Kristen Conway-Gómez where selected as committee members.

5. What is LinC? • LinC Learning Communities (LC) will: • Have three, 32-student cohorts (96 total) • Link four G.E. courses around an interdisciplinary theme • One course each quarter freshman year • One course during junior year • Require students to participate in co-curricular activities throughout the program

6. The Students • LinC is seeking to invite incoming, first time freshmen who are first generation college students

7. The Format • Students will choose one of three cohort themes before orientation • Registrar will be manually enroll students in one LinC GE course per quarter during their Year 1 • Students will participate in co-curricular activities during their Year 1 • Students will plan and participate in a large co-curricular activity with faculty in Year 2 • Students will take an upper-division GE in their Year 3

8. The Themes • Foodways- The examination of cultural, social, and economic practices relating to the production and consumption of food. • Technology in Society- An investigation of how inventions have shaped our society and how leaders in technology influence society and culture. • Culture, Technology and Global Transformation- A critical analysis of the relationships between mass cultural practices, society, and politics, both in a historical context and in terms of our own current information society.

9. Faculty and Courses Listed in the order they will be taught for each theme: • Foodways: Rachel Van (HST 201), Megs Gendreau (PHL 204), Kristen Conway-Gómez (GEO 102), Dan Yuhasz (RS 450) • Technology in Society: Melanie Davis (COM100), Abida Merchant (EGR100 Lecture), Jody Hamabata (EGR100 Lab), Zuoyue Wang (HST 202 and HST 408) • Culture, Technology and Global Transformation: Linda Tucker (AMM 108), Julie Shen/Christy Stevens/Don Page (CPU 150*), Robert Lewis (HST 103 and HST 324)

10. The Courses

11. Requirements • Admitted Students • First-time freshmen • Students must indicate interest by June 27th

12. Benefits • Students of LinClearning communities will: • Fulfill 16 units of GE requirements • Receive guaranteed registration for LinC learning community courses • Participate in small classes (about 30 students) • Get to know faculty members and students outside their major

13. Next Steps • Invitations to students (Week of June 3) • Manually enroll 96 students (June 3+) • Faculty Workshop (June 19 -20) • Invite R.I.S.E. and Summer Bridge students (space permitting) (June 27) • Plan co-curricular activities (Summer) • Courses begin (Fall 2014) • Data collection (2014 – 2017)

14. Contacts • Dr. Teshia Roby • Graduation Initiative Faculty Chair • teshiaroby@csupomona.edu • Dr. Anne Wohlke • LinC Learning Communities Chair • aewohlcke@csupomona.edu • Dr. Claudia Pinter-Lucke • Associate Provost, Academic Programs • clpinterluck@csupomona.edu