Members of Elon's parents council devoted much of their fall meeting to discussing the university's goal of enhancing the senior year experience. Details...
At a meeting on Sept. 15, a panel discussion was held focusing on the senior year transition. Participants included Elon alumnus Cam Tims ’00, current senior Gavin Sands, Vice President Smith Jackson, Associate Provost Nancy Midgette and Chaplain Richard McBride.
Following the panel discussion, Parents Council members broke up into small groups to develop ideas that would help seniors prepare for life beyond college. Some parents said the transition following college graduation is more traumatic than the transition from high school to college.
Parents suggested Elon expand its current Elon 101 advising program, which is targeted at students in their freshman year. They said a program that continues during the sophomore, junior and senior years could keep students on track in improving their life skills, gaining an internship, preparing for graduate school and making important decisions about their career interests.
Parents said students should begin to plan earlier for their time after Elon, and they suggested a structured program that would guide students to resources such as Career Center programs. They said that students must be held accountable for their own success, but that parents and the university can provide helpful assistance at this critical time of transition.
Parents also said there should be more formal rites of passage as well as a program to educate students about remaining connected with Elon after graduation, and the university’s need for support by alumni.
Elon currently has two committees working on senior year programs and enhancements to career services programs. The committees will consider suggestions from the Parents Council and report back on their progress at the group’s spring meeting.