Ashland University receives grant to strengthen First Year Seminar program

Ashland University has received a $110,000 grant from The Teagle Foundation’s Cornerstone: Learning for Living initiative to support the enhancement of the university’s First Year Seminar program. The First Year Seminar program was established in 2023 as an interdisciplinary one-semester course that provides incoming students with a common intellectual experience. The grant will help enhance the First Year Seminar program by refining its curriculum and expanding faculty development.

According to an article on Ashland University’s website, interim Dean of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor Dan McDonald was quoted as saying of the grant funding, “Research shows that first-year seminars provide an opportunity to forge relationships and mentors with faculty from the start of a student’s academic journey. The early connection between faculty and students is critical to the student experience. Furthermore, we believe that having a shared document across the sections helps to cultivate an esprit de corps among the students, the faculty teaching the class and the student aids in the class. This grant will also support faculty onboarding and development through mentored preparation and opportunities for conference attendance where conversations around similar first-year seminar courses are taking place. In addition, funds are identified for program support that can include outside scholars associated with the common readings.”

One aspect of the First Year Seminar program that helps incoming first-year students connect with each other is the experience of all reading the same text in the course. This year’s selection is “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas.” Students will have assignments throughout the seminar course that will introduce them to the university’s resources and expectations.

With the two-year grant funding, the First Year Seminar course will be enhanced with a formalized curriculum, professional development opportunities for faculty members, and refined academic pathways that will ensure the sustainability of the program.

McDonald said, “The support of The Teagle Foundation is critical to supporting the FYS program as faculty examine and debate its future. Where we ultimately land with this course will speak to our academic identity, ambitions and expectations. This grant is meant to provide the means to explore what this course can be and how it will serve Ashland University’s overall academic vision.”

The Teagle Foundation is an organization that seeks to enhance liberal arts education.

University president Dr. Jon Parrish Peede said, “This grant is vital to our focus on critical thinking skills and will strengthen our close community of learners. We are grateful to President Andrew Delbanco and The Teagle Foundation for their confidence in our vision and commitment to student success.”

For more information about Ashland University, visit the school’s website.