by Catherine Bradford
What is University College?
Ask the new Dean of University College, Dr. Keisha L. Hoerrner, about her vision for the college, and her answers will be seasoned with words like “excitement” and “potential” and “growth opportunities.”
Indeed, Hoerrner appears to have good cause for optimism. The degree-granting UC, perhaps best known for its nationally recognized first-year experience programs, is going through a tremendous growth spurt. With the recent addition of a graduate degree, the addition of two departments, and the expansion of existing programs and services, UC is poised to welcome, advise, instruct, tutor, and graduate far more students than ever before in its almost 11-year history.
UC, academic home for all new and undeclared undergraduate students at Kennesaw State University (KSU), “is similar but also different” from other academic colleges, Hoerrner said. “We interact with students inside and outside of the classroom. This gives us a broad perspective on the student experience, and we are able to impact a significant number of students, not just our own majors,” Hoerrner said.
The college grants Bachelor of Science degrees in Integrative Studies, the university's
custom-designed degree program. The number of graduates has steadily increased
each year. The recent addition of the general studies track is expected
“to enhance students' opportunities to graduate,” said Hoerrner, explaining
that it will be marketed as an online option for adults returning to college as
part of KSU’s commitment to the state’s Complete College Georgia goal of a
more educated workforce. A trend toward exit GPAs in a variety of majors has
also fueled the need for a general studies option. “The general studies
track may be the only way these students can graduate” in a timely manner, she said.
UC also offers an undergraduate certificate in leadership studies. Additionally, this fall, UC welcomes its first graduate student cohort with the launch of the fully online Master of Science in First-Year Studies program, housed in the Department of First-Year and Transition Studies. This department also offers credit-bearing seminar courses and
academic learning communities for first-year, transfer, and sophomore students. Hoerrner noted that one of the defining strengths of UC is the multidisciplinary background and the interdisciplinary focus of its faculty and staff. UC’s professional and administrative staff have wide-ranging backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. For example, Lisa L. Bauer, UC office manager and former administrative professional in the Coles College of Business, has been an invaluable resource, in part, because of a diverse perspective gained from working in another college.
Lisa Bauer and Dr. Keisha Hoerrner