When Jacqueline Morgan officially assumed her post as director of the University Honors Program on Jan. 1, she brought many ideas that she is now working to bring to fruition.
Morgan, who previously served as senior associate director of Undergraduate Admissions, said she is working to add new courses and implement new programs in an effort to give Honors College students more opportunities during their time at the University.
"Really, what I want to do is broaden the Honors College experience," she said.
Morgan is in charge of the strategic planning for the Honors College. Her duties
include making sure a wide variety of courses are offered, as well as making sure there are enough honors course options in other colleges, such as honors English literature and honors history.
"It's our responsibility to help students have multiple experiences," she said. "Part of the question that we face continually is, 'How do we best serve our students?'"
To address that question, Morgan said she plans to add a course to the fall 2008 offerings for incoming Honors College freshmen designed to make their transition to college easier.
Students would be paired with upperclassmen Honors College students to help them navigate their first experiences as college students.
Morgan said there were similar programs in place in other colleges, such as the Foundations of Engineering course and the Compass Courses, but this one would be different.
"This course would be more specifically related to the Honors College experience," she said, adding that it would give students an opportunity to network with Honors College students, faculty members and staff.
Another course that will tie into this one is the Gifts and Passions course, which is aimed at helping students find their calling. Morgan said she got the idea for the course after hearing Gregg Levoy, author of "Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life," speak at a workshop about helping students find their calling in life.
Often, she said, students come to college with so many interests they don't know which ones to pursue, making this a valuable course for Honors College students. Morgan said a part of the course will be tied into the freshman transition course during the fall semester and will be offered in its entirety in spring 2009.
Morgan said the course will be offered in conjunction with the Career Center, and emphasized the importance of working with other colleges.
"I do not see the Honors College working in isolation," she said. "We are a partnership with other colleges on campus. We'll probably be looking at how we can offer the course together."
Another program Morgan said she plans to implement in fall 2008 is a community service opportunity that focuses on helping impoverished families around Tuscaloosa with yard work, home repairs, painting and landscaping. The idea came from the program Christmas in April, a nationwide initiative that helps low-income homeowners, especially the elderly and disabled, maintain their homes.
"We're looking at the needs within the community and how we as the Honors College can help meet these needs," she said. "Community service seems to be a very strong focus for our students."
The program will take place on Saturdays, so students who have busy schedules during the week will have time to participate. Morgan said this is a nice opportunity for those who can't academically afford to enroll in a community service course.
"Hopefully, it will enrich your life as an Honors College student and help you get to know other Honors College students and serve the community as a whole," she said.
Another way Morgan said she hopes to enhance the college experience is by starting an Honors College visiting artists series, which will consist of musical artists, poets, professors and others that will come to share their talents with students. At orientation, students living in residence halls will receive a list of who is coming to visit.
"It goes back to adding to the value of the experience," Morgan said.
Speaking of adding to the value of the experience, Morgan said the Honors College Advisory Board, which will be selected in the upcoming week, will be involved in the strategic planning efforts in the college.
"We really value the students' voice," she said. "One of our greatest joys is seeing students have more opportunities and have a voice for change."
Morgan said board members will "have ownership and implementation of their ideas," and will have focus groups and sessions for other Honors College students to voice their ideas and concerns to them.
"We have students who are interested and get things done and we want to be supportive of that," she said. "I know with strategic planning and growth and support that we really can move into being the best Honors College program in the country."
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