In order to help seniors to prepare themselves to face life after college, the Institute is planning to introduce the Culminating Year Experience program. Complementing the Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond for freshmen, this program aims to enhance the seniors’ Rensselaer experience as well as create strong relationships with them through the alumni programs they will hopefully be participating in.
As NRB helps the freshmen in the transition from high school to college life, the Culminating Year Experience hopes to help the seniors as they move from college life to “the real world.”
According to Eddie Knowles, vice president for student life, the program will focus on two areas: the administrative aspect of graduation and the celebration of senior year.
For the former, the seniors will be helped with their academic review, financial counseling, career development, and alumni networking. The celebration of senior year will involve the fun side of being a senior. Among the activities being discussed are an awards ceremony, a banquet, and a post-graduation trip.
“Culminating Year Experience will start with the existing activities that we’ve already had on campus. This is only a continuation of those activities by giving it a fresh new name and making it well-planned so that the seniors have all the information that they should have in order to graduate from college,” said Sharon Kunkel, chair of the committee.
Kunkel added, “This program is to ensure that students know what they need to know. In terms of academic, they need to know about their degree clearance. As for financial, the students have to know what to do with their students loans besides their own future financial planning. And career-wise, they have to start looking for a job right now. Also not to forget, becoming alumni of RPI and making full use of it. And this is what we’re trying to do, to make everything becomes clearer and easier for the seniors.”
“The looming question all students ask themselves senior year is ‘What am I going to do when I leave RPI?’ ” said Anne Marie Lisuzzo, president of the senior class. “We need programs that can help seniors network with alumni, find jobs, and research other opportunities, such as graduate school, are the most important. I also would like to see additions to the fun traditions, such as Senior Week, by planning more events throughout the year.”
Several departments will work together in the CYE, including the Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, office of Financial Aid, the Career Development Center, Academic Advising and Learning Center, the Alumni Office, and student representatives. The purpose of this intergration is to reach a broader audience and establish more effective programs.
Lisuzzo continued, “This initiative is being designed as a way to reduce the stress of making sure everything is done. Many departments are coming together to house their services under one roof, which could ultimately be a huge asset to time-crunched seniors.”
Feedback will be critical in ensuring the success of the program. Besides hearing from its student representatives, the committee looks forward for ideas and comments from the seniors.
