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Campus News
It’s difficult to believe that we've passed the midterm point for the fall semester. During the past 8 weeks, I’ve been inspired by all of the teaching and learning that has transpired across campus. From my visits to our first-year Navigator classes to presentations and activities in the arts and sciences, evidence of our students’ and faculty’s deep dedication to learning permeates our campus spaces.
Learning extends beyond the classroom as well. For example, people from the Clarke and Dubuque communities gathered to enjoy a recent visit from Iowa’s Poet Laureate Vince Gotera and a Music Studio Showcase. In addition, this week we will host the Mackin-Mailander Student Conversation “Why This Election Matters (To Me)” and the Arts at Clarke event “A Night in Japan.” On October 27, an event focusing on acting in Shakespeare will be facilitated by the Clarke Cast & Crew student group and Dr. Sunil Malapati, Professor of Chemistry. These are examples of just a few opportunities to engage in multiple perspectives and worldviews that Clarke offers to our students, employees, and community members alike. There are more great events coming throughout the year. Watch our Arts at Clarke and Alumni Event pages for future offerings.
We also are looking forward to our Halloween celebration. Area alumni and employees are invited to Trick or Treat with their families on campus from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on October 31. For those alumni who remember the haunted hall in Mary Frances Hall, this is a fun way to share a new take on a Clarke tradition with children.
Strategic Plan Update
Goal 1 of our Strategic Plan is: Live Our Mission and Values. In Volumes 26 and 27 of my updates, I mentioned our Character & Charism project, which includes a yearlong series of events focused on the Core Value of Freedom. One of those events was folded into our Focus, Learn and Engage Day in early October. On that day, students and employees enjoyed a keynote address from Professor of Religious Studies Paulette Skiba, BVM, as well as breakout sessions on diversity and inclusion.
We’ve also made significant progress on Goal 2, Empower Student Success, via some academic and support-based initiatives. For example, the General Education Committee has drafted learning outcomes that will guide the restructuring of that program. In addition, our Retention Task Force has developed a Retention Action Plan based on an analysis of five first-year student cohorts from Fall 2019 to Fall 2023. Together, these efforts will assist in facilitating a clear path to academic success for incoming students.
An initiative that began last year, the Black Male Leadership Society, has doubled in size, with 24 young men receiving dedicated mentorship and guidance from leaders in our community, as well as opportunities to participate in extra programming and service hours. Though only in its second year, the program promises to make a positive impact on retention.
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