August 25, 2023
K-State First invites learning community and first-year seminar proposals
Submitted by Brianne Heidbreder
The university's first-year experience program, K-State First, is looking for faculty and departments who want to offer learning communities or first-year seminars for the 2024-2025 school year.
The CAT, or Connecting Across Topics, Communities pair two regular, lower-level courses. A cohort of 22 students enrolls in both classes, and the students also meet once per week in a one-hour connections course taught by an instructor from one of the two larger courses. The smaller, one-hour class is a place for the students to dive into some active learning and explore the connections between the two regular classes.
Faculty members who teach the one-hour connections class receive a $1,500-$1,700 stipend and the support of an undergraduate learning assistant for the semester. More information about the program and examples of current CAT communities are available online.
K-State First is also looking for first-year seminar classes, which are smaller versions of regular, lower-level classes that enroll first-year students only. Departments offering first-year seminar classes receive compensation to help cover the costs associated with offering small classes taught by exceptional faculty. More information about the first-year seminar program can also be found online.
To submit a proposal, please contact Brianne Heidbreder at heidbr@k-state.edu with expressions of interest or questions. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20.