Oakton first-year experience aims to support students

“The first year of college should not be considered an extension of the senior year of high school,” says Oakton Community College Vice President for Academic Affairs Ileo N. Lott. “New incoming students—whether arriving direct from area high schools, military service or the work world—are entering a new environment with different standards and expectations, traditions and culture.”

With that in mind, Oakton will implement a first-year experience program that provides new students experiences specifically tailored to enhance their academic and social integration into college.

“The program was developed by faculty and staff from the ground up,” Lott says. “Students learn to use our resources, learn to know who to go to for help and learn how to grow academically. They really get the lay of the land toward the end of persistence and completion of their goals.”

Oakton’s first-year experience can be very beneficial for students who are not familiar with the college experience. New students should expect many engagement opportunities during their first year, including new student orientation, participation in student life, service learning, academic planning and advising, access to success resources, special courses and learning communities and a common conversation.

“Learning communities are particularly beneficial because students directly apply knowledge and skills across different disciplines through shared coursework and form close relationships with fellow students and faculty,” says Kristen Hren, associate professor of English and co-leader of the “Writing about Culture and Identity” learning community, one of four learning communities offered at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus this fall.

The learning community combines “Introduction to Cultural Anthropology” (ANT 202 003 [CRN 31610]) and “English Composition I” (EGL 101 049 [CRN 31852]) into a course block that allows students to discover the diversity of cultural systems throughout the world with a special emphasis on the common theme of “Poverty and Privilege” as analyzed through the intersectional lenses of ethnicity, race, gender and cultural identity.

“This learning community places a special emphasis on globalization, ethnic identity, gender inequality and their effects,” adds Lindsey Hewitt, assistant professor of anthropology and humanities, the other learning community co-leader.

The courses introduce students to the varied ways people live today and trace the historical developments that lead to current cultural beliefs and practices while developing reading and writing strategies that help them critically analyze, organize and expand upon these concepts.

“We always want to make sure that students are seeing the connection with what they're learning—what they’re engaged in—with our ability to provide experiences outside of the classroom that are complimentary and help them connect the dots,” says Oakton Vice President for Student Affairs Karl Brooks.

Individual first-year experience courses available at Oakton’s Des Plaines and Skokie campuses include biology, business, chemistry, college studies, English, French, humanities, philosophy, social sciences and Spanish.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 20. Additional information about Oakton’s first year experience programs, including class listings, may be found online at www.oakton.edu/audience_nav/new_students/first_year/ .

For more information about the “Writing about Culture and Identity” learning community, contact Kristen Hren, khren@oakton.edu, associate professor of English, or Lindsey Hewitt, lhewitt@oakton.edu, assistant professor of anthropology and humanities.