College Matters. Alma Matters.

Prof. Jenemann did not grow up dreaming of being the Dean of an Honors College. He didn’t think he’d be working with such extraordinary people either. 

Today, he is the Dean of University of Vermont Honors College -  which traces its model to the philosopher, education reformer & an 1879 graduate of UVM, John Dewey.

In this podcast, Dean Jenemann introduces the UVM Honors College, Highlights of Key Programs, How to Apply, UG Research, Study Abroad and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with him:

• Dean David Jenemann’s Background
• UVM Honors College
• Student Requirements
• Career Opportunities

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Dean David Jenemann, UVM Honors College []
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
• Professional Background []
• About UVM Honors College []
• Faculty []
• Program Highlights []
• UG Research/Thesis []
• Research Grants []
• Summer Programs []
• Student Participation in Summer Programs []
• Study Abroad []
• How to Apply []
• Student Body Profile []
• Scholarships []
• Career Opportunities []

Our Guest: David Jenemann is Professor of English and the Dean of the University of Vermont Honors College. Dean Jenemann received a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Swarthmore College. He earned his PhD in Comparative Studies in Discourse and Society from the University of Minnesota.

Memorable Quote: “We really want a thesis to be appropriate to a student's major and appropriate to their discipline, as well as a project that they're excited about taking ownership of and seeing it through from germ of an idea to completion.” Dean Jenemann.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences

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Tim discovered undergraduate research as a student at Oklahoma State University when a peer introduced him to this idea of partnering with Faculty and doing research. Tim graduated with 3 different UG degrees -  in English, History and Political Science, each one with a thesis project.

Today, Tim champions and coordinates UG Research at the U of Colorado, Boulder.

On our podcast, Tim O’Neil talks about UG Research at UC Boulder, the role CUR plays, Impact of Research on Students, and finally the Advice for high schoolers.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Tim O’Neil, University of Colorado Boulder []
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights []
• Professional Background []
• Personal UG Experience []
• Research is Teachable []
• Tim’s Role []
• Introducing Students to UG Research []
• Research Infrastructure []
• Student Distribution []
• CUR’s Role []
• Success Stories - The Lightbulb Moment []
• Research Impact on Students []
• What’s Next? []
• Advice for High Schoolers []

Our Guest: Timothy O’Neil is the Asst. Director, Undergraduate Enrichment Programs at University of Colorado, Boulder. Tim received the Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science, History and English from Oklahoma State University. He then earned his Master’s degree in English at Oklahoma State University.

Memorable Quote: “ And yes, everybody can do academic research. We do research all the time, intuitively as we engage with the world. And we bring up prior experience and apply critical thinking. And we're engaging in that activity all the time.” Timothy O’Neil.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Gap Year Preparation  []
• Juniors College Prep During Winter Break []
• Preparing for Digital SAT Exam []

Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.

Resources referred to in this episode:

• Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
• US News (Gap Year) []
• US News []
• WTKR []

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

Calls-to-action:

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• For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.

Prof. Niels Christensen’s first experience with Honors College was as a faculty member at San Diego State University and was randomly assigned to teach the Honors Introductory Psychology course.

Prof. Christensen loved teaching these engaged, interesting students so much that he asked the Dept Chair if he could teach this honors class again.

His Dept Chair asked him to get in line!

Today, Prof. Christensen is the Director of the Honors College at Radford University.

In this podcast, Director Christensen introduces the Honors College at Radford University, Notable Programs, What they look for in their Students, Faculty, and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with him:

• Director Niels Christensen’s Background
• Honors College at Radford University
• Student Requirements
• Career Opportunities

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Dir. Niels Christensen of Honors College at Radford U [0:52]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:13]
• Professional Background [4:35]
• About Radford Honors College [6:24]
• Honors College Characteristics [9:22]
• Notable Programs [11:04]
• How to Apply [12:21]
• Student Community Profile [13:57]
• Faculty [15:48]
• UG Research/Capstone [17:34]
• Scholarships [19:01]
• SURF - Summer Research [20:18]
• Study Abroad [21:53]
• Career Opportunities [24:04]
• Wrap up [25:23]

Our Guest: Niels Christensen is Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Honors College at Radford University. Director Christensen received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. He then earned his Master’s and PhD in Social Psychology from Texas A&M University.

Memorable Quote: “ The honors students really liked that sort of conversational discussion, seminar approach to learning. And so all of the honors courses at Radford are capped at 20 students, and they're very small. And that gives the faculty the flexibility to maybe teach the class in somewhat unusual ways.” Director Niels Christensen.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• International Enrollments Rise  []
• More US Colleges Offer Direct Admissions []
• Top Law Schools Leave US News Ranking []

Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.

Resources referred to in this episode:

• Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
• CBS News []
• The Wall Street Journal []
• CNN []

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

Calls-to-action:

• Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Newsletter
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
• For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.

When Prof. Coleman was in college, she got to know a close friend’s parents, who were University Professors. She really liked the life they were leading.

She wanted to emulate them. They advised her to find a “rock star” Professor whose class she really liked, and ask to do research in their lab.

She did.

That UG Research started her off into a decades-long journey into academia and research.

Prof. Coleman joins us on our podcast to talk about UG Research at Western New Mexico University, CUR’s Role, Enabling Research Online, Impact of Research, Success Stories, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

• Prof. Jennifer Coleman’s Background
• UG Research at WNMU
• Doing Research Online
• Student Success Stories
• Advice for High Schoolers

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Prof. Jennifer Coleman, WNMU [0:45]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:07]
• Professional Background [4:52]
• UG Research in College [6:23]
• UG Research For All [10:08]
• Prof. Coleman’s UG Research Role [14:03]
• CUR’s Role [18:12]
• Resources for Students [21:22]
• Matching Funds [25:52]
• Why Virtual Research [28:05]
• Impact of UGR [37:12]
• Student Participation [39:50]
• Success Stories [42:48]
• Advice for High Schoolers [48:03]

Our Guest: Prof. Jennifer Coleman is a Professor of Psychology at Western New Mexico University. Prof. Coleman received the Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo. She received her Master’s degree in College Teaching, and PhD in Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics from the University of New Hampshire.

Memorable Quote: “...if you find the school that's right for you, then that school is awesome! That school is fantastic. So whether or not it's big, or small, whether or not it's you know, online or in person, when you find what's right for you, create the opportunities that you want to have. And I think, they will be there for you.” Prof. Jennifer Coleman.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: UG Research

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When Herb was in High School, he wanted to be an architect, though he didn’t quite know what it was. After High School he went to college, but dropped out after 2 years. After working in retail for a number of years, he went back to college to pursue Architecture.

In this podcast, Herb shares his College Journey, Career Flow, About US Colleges, Exploring Colleges, Majors,  Impact of College and Advice for High Schoolers and Parents.

In particular, we discuss the following with him:

• College Journey
• Types of US Colleges
• How to Explore Colleges, Majors
• College Impact
• Advice to High Schoolers

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Dr. Herb Childress [0:50]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:01]
• The Initial College Journey [5:08]
• On Going Back to College [9:48]
• Types of US Colleges [11:11]
• How Families Should Approach College Education [19:37]
• Majors - How to Explore [24:25]
• Finding Your Passion [27:23]
• Looking for a College Degree versus College Experience [29:35]
• Finding Your College [32:11]
• Herb’s College Experience [36:28]
• Impact of College [40:08]
• Advice to High Schoolers [42:41]

Our Guest: Dr. Herb Childress is a Writer, Social Researcher and Academic. Dr. Childress received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley. He then earned his PhD in Architecture (Environment- Behavior Studies) from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Dr. Childress has a number of fiction and nonfiction books to his credit.

Memorable Quote: “ Every good thing that's happened in my career is because I've said yes to some opportunity that I was afraid of.” Dr. Herb Childress.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences

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In High School Ian was constantly exploring. He took a number of different classes to figure out what he liked and didn’t like. He loved Math, French. He enjoyed being part of the crew in Theater. He was involved in the Orchestra.

When he was applying to college, he didn’t even know that Research was a thing!

Ian joins our podcast to share his undergraduate college journey at Grand Valley, his UG Research experiences, and Advice for college-bound students.

In particular, we discuss the following with him:

• Overall Grand Valley Experience
• UG Research
• Impact of UG Research
• Advice to High Schoolers

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introduction to Ian Curtis, GVSU [0:43]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:50]
• Overall Grand Valley Experience [4:14]
• Why Grand Valley? [5:24]
• High School Interests [7:03]
• Research By Accident [9:40]
• 1700’s French Encyclopedia [13:33]
• Detecting Censorship [19:53]
• Other Kinds of UG Research [21:20]
• Music Recommendation Algorithm [23:59]
• Impact of UG Research [27:05]
• Choosing Stat & French as Majors [31:34]
• Language-Culture Study [34:58]
• What Next? [36:47]
• Advice for Freshman [38:22]
• Skills for High Schoolers [42:19]
• Memories [45:42]

Our Guest: Ian Curtis is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and French at Grand Valley State University.

Memorable Quote: “I'm promoting research on campus because I hope it kind of demystifies the idea of research is like this, you must be an expert to research, and you must know what you're doing, and you must have it perfect and all laid out. That's just not how it works in any research project”. Ian Curtis.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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Prof. Fernandes’ journey into research, took flight while studying Fruit Flies as part of her PhD. It brought excitement and enthusiasm to her graduate program as she created new knowledge

But, her first encounter with UG Research occurred when she joined the Faculty at Miami University. Now, she is the Director of Undergraduate Research at Miami University in Ohio.

On our podcast, Prof. Fernandes talks about UG Research at Miami University, the role CUR plays, Impact of Research on UG Students, Success stories, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

• Prof. Joyce Fernandes’ Background
• UG Research at Miami University Ohio
• Student Success Stories
• Skills for Research

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Introducing Prof. Joyce Fernandes, Miami University Ohio [0:47]
• Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [2:13]
• Professional Background [4:30]
• Why is UG Research Important? [8:32]
• Benefits of UG Research to Students [9:59]
• Prof. Fernandes’ UG Research Role [13:08]
• CUR’s Role [16:06]
• Student Participation [18:01]
• Success Stories [22:29]
• Impact on Students [25:25]
• What’s Next for UG Research at Miami U [27:52]
• Advice for High Schoolers [29:37]
• Closing Thoughts [31:16]

Our Guest: Prof. Joyce Fernandes is a Professor of Biology & the Director of Undergraduate Research at Miami University in Ohio. Prof. Fernandes received the Bachelor’s Degrees in Chemistry and Microbiology from St. Xavier’s College in Goa, India. She received her Master’s Degree in Microbiology from MS University in Baroda, India. Prof. Fernandes received her PhD in Developmental Biology from University of Mumbai, India.

Memorable Quote: “...that's what I've really liked about research, is that it is uncharted territory, and there's excitement along the way, it can be as exciting as you make it out to be.” Prof. Fernandes on UG Research .

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: UG Research

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Coronavirus continues to drive the news. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Enrollment Drop is Letting up  []
• These Colleges Look for Test Scores []
• 6 Ways for Your College Application to Stand Out []

Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.

Resources referred to in this episode:

• Curated News at Alma Matters [0:11]
• NPR []
• US News (Test Scores) []
• US News []

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode Transcript.

Calls-to-action:

• Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast Newsletter
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Subscribe or Follow our podcasts at any of these locations: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.
• For Transcripts of all our podcasts, visit almamatters.io/podcasts.