New projects and programs
New programs and projects are being developed to enhance student engagement at La Trobe, with the aim of providing opportunities for skills and personal development, academic success and socialising. Your feedback, comments and questions are always welcome, and if you are interested in getting involved in getting interested in the development and planning of particular programs, your input is highly valued. Below are details on just some of the new programs currently under construction.
Please email studentengagement@latrobe.edu.au if you would like more information about anything or if you have ideas for new programs yourself.
First-Year Summit
The First Year Summit is an opportunity to hear the personal perspectives of first year students, for students and staff to work on:
'How to ensure student success in first year'
The Summit will take place on:
Friday August 14, 2009
10:00am - 2:30pm
John Scott Meeting House (Bundoora Campus)
Infinity Leadership Program
La Trobe introduced an exciting new pilot program in 2009 for students aspiring to leadership roles.
The Infinity Leadership Program consists of three components; a two day residential retreat, a series of leadership seminars and a community project.
A number of high profile La Trobe University staff members and alumni have already committed to be guest speakers at the program including Professor Paul Johnson, La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr Annabelle Duncan, Project Director, Science Collaboration and Transition, Biosciences Research Centre, and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Bernadette McMenamin AO, Chief Executive Officer of Child Wise™ Limited.
Applications for the 2010 program are now open.
For more information, go to the Infinity Leadership Program webpage.
The La Trobe Award
La Trobe University students have a long and proud history of participating in on-campus associations, clubs and activities which help build a sense of student community. Whether you are a Guild Board member, part of a sports or interest group, or one of the many students who get stuck in to help new students during Orientation week, your involvement creates an active and exciting campus life, and leads to great skill development to help with your transition to employment.
But it can also be hard work, and often the students who do the most work are not always recognised for their efforts. To help continue La Trobe’s great tradition of student involvement, and to support students with recognised training, mentoring and acknowledgment, the Student Leaders program has been proposed:
- To help build the University-student community and improve student engagement
- To raise the profile and support the contribution students make to the University and external community as volunteers
- To provide high quality training, mentoring and support for students participating in programs and activities
- To recognise and reward the significance of the student contribution to the University and external community
- To enhance the employability of graduates through the personal and professional development of the participants.
Contact:
Jarrod Benson
Student Trainer
Training @ La Trobe/Student Engagement
La Trobe University, Bundoora
Ph: 03 9479 4728
Email: j.benson@latrobe.edu.au
International Students Peer Mentoring Program
Student Engagement together with La Trobe International, has developed a peer mentoring program specifically for international students at the Bundoora campus. The pilot program with commence in semester 2, 2009 and will run each semester thereafter.
The program is aimed at students studying within the faculty of Law and Management, where they will be matched with a group of up to three other students, as well as one local mentor and one international mentor. These mentoring groups will provide support to new international students, and provide them with advice on topics such as:
- How to navigate the website
- Reading and interpreting the timetable
- Making friends
- Undertanding Melbourne, and the Australian culture
- Knowing where to get academic assistance
- Finding out the various student support centres around campus
- Getting around campus
- Finding work
In addition to regular informal meetings, the students will also be required to attend three compulsary sessions.
Recruitment for semester 2 mentors and mentees will commence in May 2009. Training will be provided to the mentors and each participant will recieve a certificate of participation as well as an individual reference.
At this stage, the program is open to Bundoora students, with the aim of rolling out to the regional campuses in the future.
Contact:
Katie Bell
Project Officer
Student Engagement
La Trobe University, Bundoora
Ph: 03 9479 5511
Email: katie.bell@latrobe.edu.au
Student Voice
A campaign of student focus groups is an opportunity for students to provide their feedback and input on a number of key themes and to present recommendations for building a successful La Trobe into the future. To be held as a series of focus groups in late 2008, with a key event in early 2009 themes may include:
- Transition and the first year experience
- Curriculum renewal
- The student experience/ building a student community
- The campus environment
Student Engagement Forum
A Symposium will be an opportunity to reflect on the good work of La Trobe staff, hear from the experts in the industry, and develop new skills and insights into the student experience. As the sector as a whole begins to understand and value the impact of student engagement, the Symposium will be an opportunity for La Trobe to identify ways to continue to explore and enrich the educational experience of our students. The Symposium will be held July 2009. Professor George Kuh, a respected practitioner and researcher in student engagement from the US will be visiting Australia at this time and will be the keynote speaker for the Symposium.