Looking back on the educational experiences of Whitman’s class of 2024, we see striking variety and change. This year’s seniors started their Whitman experience online and then navigated socially distanced classrooms, occasionally zooming in from quarantine or attending entirely remotely to stay eligible for sports. Our seniors have also had more “normal” experiences—performing live theater, doing research in labs, volunteering in the community and studying abroad. Campus life is rejuvenated to the point that we can almost forget where we have been.
Across this academic year, a series of events will facilitate reflection on Teaching and Learning Now—how educational contexts, practices, and priorities have changed and how we can align our work with the needs and ambitions of current and future students. While the pandemic years occasion this reflection, many changes in student engagement and teaching contexts pre-date or transcend situations brought about by COVID-19. These too should be a part of how we take stock and look forward.
The year’s activity will have three main focuses: supporting health and well-being, including becoming more trauma-informed; connection and belonging as foundations for student learning; and recalibrating boundaries/reevaluating policies. An initial outline of activities is available now, starting with the event listed below.
Belonging as Foundational for Student Learning: I Feel Included When…
Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Noon in Olin 129
As the academic year opens, faculty are invited to seek student input about what creates supportive community in their classes. At our first reflection year event, participants will bring those insights into conversation with research on how belonging supports academic success and with Whitman’s own data about students’ sense of mattering and affirmation from the 2021 National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates. Please RSVP in advance.
