Sophomore Year Conference
June, 2007
Candace Archer, Political Science
Annette Badik, Career Center
Scott Gallaway, General Studies Writing
Peter Kuebeck, A & S
Monica Longmore, Sociology
Dara Musher-Eizenman, Psychology
Roger Thibault, A & S
Jodi Webb, First Year Programs
The Sophomore year: the year you
“make it on your own”
 Characterized by the need for students to
take responsibility for their learning
 Exploration process to make decisions
about the future
 Opportunity to build new relationships
Suggestions for BGSU
 Implement Sophomore Year Program as an
extension of BGeXperience
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Central office on campus
Sophomore year advisor (college advisors rotate)
Professional psychologist (from counseling center)
Programmed activities
Director of Sophomore Year
Goals of Sophomore Year
Program:
 Provide incentive for students to succeed and
become sophomores (increase retention)
 Publicize sophomore year program in all literature
and activities (admissions, O-reg, etc) (increase
recruitment)
 Provide activities, services specific to sophomore
students (increase student success)
 Include residential component to provide students
with a sense of place (increase resident student
population)
Some thoughts about a
Sophomore Year program
 Special BGeX course for sophomores -incorporating service learning?
 Common reading experience for sophomores.
 Use a book to be read by freshmen the following year
 Sophomores can serve as mentors
 Provide $500 scholarship for all students who
make it to Sophomore year.
Next Steps
Plan
Implement