Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College receives NetVUE grant to enhance student experience

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has received a $95,858 Program Development Grant from the Council of Independent Colleges’ (CIC) Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). The funding will be used to enhance student experience through the redevelopment of the first-year seminar into a more engaging experience for students.

According to an article on SMWC’s website, Janet Clark, Ph.D., who serves as the provost/executive vice president of academic affairs, was quoted as saying of the grant, “It’s helping students reflect on their purpose, strengths and how they want to contribute to the world. Adding this into the curriculum and connecting it with career development helps retention and completion rates since students better understand how their values and goals align with their education and future pathways.”

Currently, SMWC has a first-year seminar course required of all freshman students called Into the Woods, Out of the Woods that introduces students to the college’s community and the values it holds. Thanks to the grant funding, the first-year seminar will be redeveloped to include vocational exploration opportunities that will help students determine their future calling.

Zach Selby, Ph.D., an assistant professor of theology, will serve as the project lead at the college. He will run the seminar and handle the logistics of implementing the planned changes. He said, “This program development grant will enable our faculty to develop a shared understanding of how vocational exploration is integral to the mission and values of the College and bring those broader ideas and pedagogical methods into our courses. This program will help the College to continue providing opportunities for students to refine their thoughts about what they think makes their lives meaningful.”

For more information about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, visit the school’s website.