Student advising
Today was training for new volunteers to the pool of faculty advisors who get a group of freshmen and act as their advisors, helping them choose their classes. I decided to sign up (even though I am not faculty, they do let some folks on staff serve in this role) and I am so excited.
Several things have changed since I graduated in the early 90s. We are now on an hours system, not a credits system. It takes 120 hours to graduate - which is approximately 15 a semester. A couple of years ago, the faculty and administration changed the divisional requirements; they lowered the number of divisionals (you remember - that is the “you must take 2 classes in biology, chemistry, physics, math; 3 classes in history, political science, philosophy, etc.) Students now have fewer divisionals, which allows them to explore electives sooner and helps with study abroad.
Speaking of, we are in the mid to upper 60s in terms of percentage of students who have some form of study abroad experience while at Wake Forest. I am really happy to hear that. My semester in the Dijon program was a transformational one and I really wish every student could have a similar opportunity.
I will have a group of 11 students to advise come August, and I think it will be a terrific experience. One of the great joys of Wake Forest is that we are small enough that we can give our students such personal attention - and I am glad to have a more direct role with students than I have had in the past.