Rethinking the Common Read

Common reading programs can foster a valuable shared intellectual experience, but only when the topic and content students read is truly common to all students and their most pressing concern as they begin college:  meaning, purpose, and the “why” of higher education. How could FYE change if we had a truly common reading for all students and faculty over time? Join Harrison Kleiner, Heidi Kesler, and Matt Sanders as they discuss how Utah State University transformed its common reading program to have greater impact and meaning for students and faculty. This approach reimagines the common read to directly connect students with the mission and purpose of higher education.

Additional Resources:

• Read the Episode Summary.
• Click the link to learn more about the book Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education https://a.co/d/ePiv11d

 

About Matthew Sanders

Matt Sanders is a Professor of Communication Studies at Utah State University and holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has a long-standing interest in helping students improve their college experience and enjoys working closely with the orientation and first-year experience programs at Utah State. He is the author of Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education. In addition to his writing and speaking about the college experience, he also teaches classes and publishes research on the topics of leadership, the nonprofit sector, and pedagogy. Matt can be reached at matt.sanders@usu.edu.

About Harrison Kleiner

Harrison Kleiner is Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Philosophy at Utah State University and holds a PhD in Philosophy from Purdue University. He is deeply involved in general education, the first-year experience, and student success, leading institutional efforts in curricular and assessment reform. He chairs or serves on several state higher education system committees and consults nationally with faculty on general education, assessment, and excellence in teaching. He teaches and writes on issues in perennial philosophy, theology, political thought, and liberal education.  Harrison can be reached at harrison.kleiner@usu.edu.

About Heidi Kesler

Heidi Beck Kesler is the founding Executive Director of the Center for Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence, as well as the founder of the Aggie First Scholars program at Utah State University. She also established an academic success coaching program at Utah State. She helped develop a series of 1-credit behavioral habits of mind courses that provide students will timely needed help in specific learning skills. She holds an Master’s Degree in History from Montana State University. She is motivated to help students, and their communities, connect to the elevating power of education. Heidi can be reached at heidi.kesler@usu.edu.