Engaging with Students

Every student club or group that is chartered by the Eckerd College Organization of Students (ECOS) is expected to have a faculty advisor. With over 80 chartered clubs, it is not easy to find faculty with the time and/or interest to step in. ASPEC Members provide an additional resource and have been advisors, for groups as diverse as the student newspaper, the lacrosse team, and the multi-cultural dance team.

One of the intergenerational opportunities is the ASPEC African American Student Support Program (AAASSP). AAASSP was proposed and developed as a model to improve the retention of African American students with the goal of having a longer term impact upon the recruitment and enrollment of African American students. AAASSP addresses two fundamental issues: (1) finding additional scholarship sources so that African American students can cover the costs of the College (including computer technology and the opportunities for study abroad), and (2) providing a support program that includes mentoring, tutoring, and other services that contribute positively to students’ competence, efficacy, and overall well-being.

Working with College faculty to help students explore and evaluate career options, and to assist students develop interview, resume writing, and other skills. An expanded, more frequent, and more intensive “Been There! Done That!” is an example of this kind of activity. There is also considerable potential for retired medical doctors advising pre-med students, retired lawyers advising pre-law students, retired diplomats advising international relations students, and more.

ASPEC members may register to attend (audit) a regular College class on a space available basis with the permission of the instructor. These classes could introduce an ASPEC member to a new subject, or provide an opportunity to continue exploring a field at a more advanced level. Auditors would be expected to do the reading for the course, but would not be required to write papers or take examinations. Auditing might involve a 14-week semester course or a 4-week Winter Term project (January). There is no charge for auditing a class, and no college credit is earned.

For more information about any of these intergenerational learning opportunities and/or to provide suggestions for new programs, please contact the ASPEC Director.

APSEC Members may help  to prepare a student group for success in a local, regional, or national competition. Examples are the Ethics Bowl and the Students In Free Enterprise.Similar collaborations have involved the Model United Nations, the Society for the Advancement of Management, and work with students preparing for major scholarship competitions such as the Rhodes or Fulbright.

Participating in classes, throughout a 14 week semester course, at the invitation of a faculty member. ASPEC members are expected to read the materials covered in the class and participate in the classes.

Participating in the college’s freshman courses are the most popular, (Western Heritage in a Global Context) and also the senior “Quest for Meaning” course.

Participating with students and faculty in cooperative service projects in the Tampa Bay area. Examples include initiatives for the homeless, kids at risk in local public schools, and environmental clean-up projects.

The EC MakerSpace offers a place for ASPEC members to assist Eckerd students, faculty and staff the opportunity to build projects, explore technologies and learn about topics ranging from 3D printing to wood working to graphic design.

Developing a nurturing relationship with a student that can involve guidance, and encouragement about career, educational and personal issues. Each student is paired with a mentor from ASPEC. The ASPEC mentor does not replace or substitute for a student’s academic mentor from the College faculty; s/he is an additional resource. A set of mentor/student guidelines encourages the mentor/student pairs to meet on a regular basis to plan and evaluate their unfolding relationships.

A Program dinner is an annual event at the College that includes students, parents, faculty, alumni, invited officials and special guests from the Tampa Bay community.

ASPEC Members may be asked to particpate in a college course in one or more class sessions at the invitation of a faculty member to provide specialized knowledge, address a defined topic, or share relevant experiences that would enrich and enhance the course. Examples of this have included a former CEO sharing with a management class, a chemist assisting with laboratory experiments, a former diplomat discussing a particular issue in an international relations class.

Assisting a student to understand a subject matter and/or develop a certain skill. Examples of these efforts include helping students understand class material in the sciences and math and assisting students develop writing and foreign language skills (both competencies required for graduation from Eckerd).Referrals for assistance have come from individual faculty and from the College Writing Center.