Understanding Our Students Series

Facilitated by Amy Strage, Interim Director, Center for Faculty Development; Deanna Peck, Director, Peer Academic Success Services Program

This series consists of monthly discussions where panelists/speakers with expertise with respect to a particular segment of our student populations can help faculty (and staff) better understand issues and needs that pertain to that segment of our student body as well as campus resources available to them.  The series begins with a general session in the beginning of a semester.  Monthly topics thereafter include the following:  Student Athletes, Veterans, First-time Students (Frosh and transfer), Student Members of Fraternities and Sororities, First-generation Students and International Students. Descriptions of the topics are as follows:

Student Athletes

Student athletes are truly amazing people. In order to excel at their sport and in the classroom, they must manage their time wisely.  In addition to long hours of practice, their commitment to their sport often requires days “on the bus”, away from campus. Some are remarkably successful, both academically and athletically.  Others seem to struggle more.  In this session, we invite faculty and staff to come and learn about ways we can support these dedicated students. 

Veterans, Members of the Military, and Their Families

There are currently several hundred students enrolled at SJSU who are veterans, members of the military, or their dependents. The life-experiences of this group of students are often very different from those of other students on our campus.  Many of them are thriving.  Others seem to struggle more.  We invite faculty and staff to come and learn about ways we can support these dedicated students.

First-time Students (Frosh and Transfer)

We welcomed several thousand first-time students to the campus this September. For many of them, the transition to SJSU was momentous - they have spent the last few weeks adjusting to the size of the campus, the diversity of the people here, and the greater demand on them to manage their academic and social lives,  Many of these students are completely acclimated.  Others seem to be taking a bit more time to find their way.  We invite faculty and staff to come and learn about ways we can support these students and help them launch successful careers here. Presenters/ panelists/ participants will include Maureen Scharberg,  Student Academic Success Services.

Student Members of Fraternities and Sororities

Over 1000 SJSU students - about 5% of our undergraduate student population - are currently members of one of the nearly three-dozen fraternities and sororities on campus.  Charters and particular missions or goals of the various houses differ, but the core values for each are straightforward:  Family, academics, service and leadership.  We invite faculty and staff to come and learn about “Greek life” (the portrayal in Animal House is far from accurate!!!!), and about the opportunities and challenges fraternity/sorority membership present for our students.

First-generation Students

SJSU has a long tradition of welcoming first-generation students to its midst.  While these students are very motivated and eager to succeed, many do not have the advantage of friends or family to guide them as they make their way to and through the university.  We invite you to come and learn about the various kinds of challenges and supports available to this segment of our student population.

International Students

SJSU is assuming an increasingly “global” look, with students from every corner of the globe attending our classes.  The strengths and challenges and expectations and customs pertaining to higher education that these students bring  to their studies may be quite different from those of our US students.  We invite you to attend this session to learn about the many ways we seek to promote an enriching experience for our students from other countries, as well as to learn from them as the incredible resources that they are for expanding our global awareness and cultural exchange