January 08, 2009
The
transition from a high school with 3,000 students to a campus of
over 20,000 may seem like a daunting feat; now add fostering new
friendships, higher academic expectations and numerous student
activities and it’s a recipe for panic.
New to the world of college-life, students find that questions
begin to emerge: how will I make new friends? Will I like my
classes—my professors? Will I be home-sick? Can I have a fulfilling
experience at college if I am a commuter?
St. John’s University’s School of Education has found an answer to
the whirlwind of doubt—the
S.T.A.R. program (Students Teaching Academic Responsibilities),
which pairs incoming freshmen with upperclassmen to assist in
smoothing the transition into The School of
Education.
Launched in fall 2008, this innovative program created by Charisse
Willis, P.D., Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Advisement, and
School of Education sophomoreKaitlin D’Aversa, has opened the lines
of communication across campus dynamics. S.T.A.R. enables
students who have never met or associated with each other the
opportunity to connect and attend events, participate in
service-learning opportunities and share each others’personal,
social and academic concerns.
Headed by Dean Willis, the program has gained momentum among newly
enrolled freshmen and their appointed peer-buddies. Of the
nearly 500 undergraduate students in The School of Education, 200
have joined the S.T.A.R. program. When asked the biggest
challenge, Dean Willis replies: “Getting the word out, making
students understand this is voluntary, there is no obligation to
participate—but the rewards are immeasurable.”
Freshmen are given the opportunity to join the program
through a standard informational application and survey
process. Students are assigned peers according to majors,
minors, concentrations, activities, interests and whether they
reside on campus or commute. Coordinators then plan
“ice-breaker” events, such as the recent “Halloween Murder Mystery”
or the upcoming “Dancing with the Stars” (tentatively scheduled for
February 18), to introduce faculty, staff, and S.T.A.R
participants.
In addition to her studies, D’ Aversa, an Early Childhood Education
major, spends her time tracking freshman and peer-buddies, sending
out applications and conducting surveys in an effort to build the
popularity and reputation of the program. “This program is a
process, our vision is a process,” she says. “At St. John’s,
students are exposed to all areas of opportunities and
greatness.”
Dean Willis credits the success of S.T.A.R not only to the
hard-work and dedication of staff members, student involvement and
the University Freshman Center but also to the School of
Education’s passion and overwhelming support of the program and its
students. “I attend every event and there are numerous
faculty members involved in mentoring students within the program,
“says Dean Willis. “We listen to our students, we discuss their
concerns and are passionate about making a difference in their
lives.”
The S.T.A.R program has become a catalyst for students who wish to
participate in other service-related activities among the socially
and economically disadvantaged children within the community.
“This year’s freshman class is the brightest and most passionate,”
Dean Willis continues. “Helping disadvantaged children who may
never see the inside of acollege has humbled a lot of them. This is
our mission, our opportunity to set new goals. It is indeed
humbling to the soul.”
Currently celebrating its 100th Anniversary, The School of
Education continues to foster academic excellence through the
S.T.A.R initiative. “Our plan is to enroll more students, get
them involved and build a positive platform for them to shine,”
adds D’ Aversa.
“The need for peer-buddies goes both ways,” she says.
“Upperclassmen learn from freshmen and vice versa. It’s
good to have someone open up to you, to know that someone other
than faculty is here for you to talk to.”
After two decades at St. John’s, Dean Willis is dedicated to
supporting student engagement, faculty mentorship and opportunities
for service-work to those less fortunate.
“We are facilitating a process in which upperclassmen and freshmen
make a connection,” notes Dean Willis. “”Educators are not only
teaching the profession, we are providing students with a
service—to try to make them happy and academically prepared while
preserving the St. John’s experience.”
For more information about the new S.T.A.R program, contact Kaitlin
D’Aversa at Kaitlin.daversa07@stjohns.edu
or visit the The School of Education’s Undergraduate Office in
Sullivan Hall, room G-6.