First Thursdays Program Stresses Collaboration

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 8, 2011) — Student involvement and student support were the focus of the March edition of the "First Thursdays" series.

Vice President for Institutional Diversity Judy “JJ” Jackson, Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Mike Mullen, Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management Don Witt and Vice President for Student Affairs Robert Mock are the key campus administrators who take part in these monthly 90-minute sessions.

Due to scheduling conflicts, this month’s meeting was held today in the Student Center Small Ballroom. The series typically meets every first Thursday of each month.

This month focused on student involvement and student support with representation from the Office of Student Involvement and Student Support Services.

Special guests included 8-10 student leaders alongside Director of Student Involvement Rhonda Strouse and Learning Specialist for Student Support Services Valerie Rister.

“The overall goal of the series is to gather the areas that work in student success on a regular basis to look closely at two or three programs and efforts each month. We will share and learn what we can from the way the program runs and works, and use that information to bolster that program and increase the effectiveness of other student support programs,” Jackson said.

Administrative staff who work in the areas of student retention and achievement are invited to attend the series.