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GIFTS: Retention Improvement Efforts in the Undergraduate Living and Learning Community at the University of South Carolina

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Conference

2022 First-Year Engineering Experience

Location

East Lansing, Michigan

Publication Date

July 31, 2022

Start Date

July 31, 2022

End Date

August 2, 2022

Conference Session

Technical Session T2

Tagged Topic

GIFTS

Page Count

3

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42238

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42238

Download Count

189

Paper Authors

biography

Edward P Gatzke University of South Carolina

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Ed Gatzke is currently the Faculty Principal for the Green Quad Living and Learning Community at the University of South Carolina. For eight years he served as the faculty advisor for the USC Engineering and Computing Living and Learning Community. He has taught a variety of high-school and first-year introductory and professional development courses over the last two decades.

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Abstract

The University of South Carolina Engineering and Computing Living and Learning Community is focused on helping students succeed in their academic careers. For many years, program activities include a one-hour professional development course, linked coursework for mathematics and chemistry courses, and residence hall tutoring availability. Recent new supports for student retention will be discussed. These efforts include: 1. Early Move-In Boot camp - A short optional course helps students adjust to campus and form social networks while providing mathematics review and professional development information. 2. More linked courses - In addition to mathematics and chemistry, the living and learning community now has implemented linked humanities coursework in the spring so that students living together can take more courses with other residents. 3. Spring activities - Traditionally, most retention efforts have focused on acclimation in the Fall semester. New efforts help support students throughout their entire first year so that they have help in taking corrective actions.

Gatzke, E. P. (2022, July), GIFTS: Retention Improvement Efforts in the Undergraduate Living and Learning Community at the University of South Carolina Paper presented at 2022 First-Year Engineering Experience, East Lansing, Michigan. 10.18260/1-2--42238

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