The University of Colorado at Boulder has created a new program for 150-200 of its most intellectually committed students. The Undergraduate Academy provides a range of special activities and advising opportunities for its members, who are chosen for their excitement about learning and their academic success.
The three main goals of the UA are to expand the education of top students outside the classroom, build a sense of intellectual community among them and help prepare them for post-graduation opportunities.
"This exciting new project reflects our commitment to creating smaller communities among our undergraduates and to providing targeted services that meet the needs of our diverse student body," said Associate Vice Chancellor Michael Grant, who coordinates CU-Boulder's undergraduate programs.
"We think the Undergraduate Academy will attract outstanding students to CU-Boulder who might otherwise have applied only to high-prestige, out-of-state schools."
A menu of activities, organized and led by the students, help Undergraduate Academy members move beyond their coursework and become involved in broader questions. Groups of these students meet to discuss ideas, controversial books, world events and contemporary problems. They are encouraged to participate in cultural and outdoor activities and to do community service work. A recent weekend retreat, for example, focused on ethics.
In addition to cooking together and enjoying snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, the students explored the question, "How shall we live in the world?" Doug Wilson, a UA member and Boettcher Scholar from Colorado Springs who helped plan the retreat, explains: "It was great to talk about hard issues with other students who are interested in applying our education to real-world problems." These students and their concerns contradict the popular image of today's college students as the ‘Me’ generation.
The Undergraduate Academy also offers enhanced advising -- on how to take advantage of special opportunities available at CU-Boulder for talented students, and about preparing for life after graduation. UA members themselves offer peer advising to other students about majors, courses and professors; older students serve as "UA Siblings" to first-year students.
Distinguished Professor Marjorie McIntosh of the history department, the faculty adviser to the UA, is available for drop-in advising, while student-led discussions focus on how to participate in research as an undergraduate and how to position yourself for post-graduate education and jobs. People in the Colorado community talk with UA members about their interests and careers.
Special attention is given to the prestigious fellowships for which these outstanding students will be eligible to apply, like the Truman, Goldwater and Rhodes Scholarships.
Students enter the Undergraduate Academy from several routes. All Boettcher Scholars and Norlin Scholars are automatically members from their first year onward, while other students apply for the program in their second year on campus.
"The Undergraduate Academy provides wonderful opportunities for these students, working in tandem with other CU-Boulder enrichment programs like the Honors Program, the President's Leaderships Class, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and the Residential Academic Program," said Chancellor Richard Byyny. "The UA's exceptional students will shape the future in whatever careers they enter, so we need to give them a first-rate educational experience while they are with us."
CU-BOULDER UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMY STUDENT CONTACTS
Deryn Goodwin, (303) 786-2240. First-year student, Norlin Scholar. Double majoring in religious studies and history. From Richmond, Va. Team leader for social activities for the UA; participated in the UA's winter retreat near Granby focusing on ethics.
Ashima Gupta, (303) 786-2303. First-year student, Norlin Scholar. Double majoring in English and molecular, cellular and developmental biology. From Lakewood, CO. Team leader for cultural activities for the UA.
Aron Janssen, (303) 415-9824. Third-year student. Double majoring in fine arts and biochemistry. From Parker, Colo. In charge of compiling the list of "community contact people" for the UA. Also a student organizer for the Conference on World Affairs.
Samantha Pelican, (303) 786-2360. First-year student, Boettcher Scholar. Majoring in MCD biology. From Colorado Springs. Team leader for community service activities for the UA.
Melissa Shipley, (303) 786-3817. First-year student, Boettcher Scholar. Majoring in journalism. From La Veta, Colo. Participated in ethics retreat.
Jesse Weber, (303) 786-3763. First-year student. Will probably double major in MCD biology and biochemistry. From Westminster, Colo. Team leader for outdoor activities for the UA; participated in ethics retreat.
Doug Wilson, (303) 543-7189. Second-year student, Boettcher Scholar. Double majoring in philosophy and English. From Colorado Springs. Team leader for intellectual activities for the UA, and primary organizer of the ethics retreat.