Collegiate life is alive and growing stronger at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Through our understanding of what it means to be a Community of Learners, we are intentional about creating an ethos of learning across the campus in curricular and co-curricular activities and in formal and informal traditions. Parts of that changing environment include a new General Education Program which requires interdisciplinary course work, integrated student-faculty-staff recreational activities, and a focus on building community among traditional and nontraditional students, and faculty, staff, and administrators.
All Freshmen are encouraged to participate in a Learning Cluster. These topic-based courses introduce students to the intellectual life of the college, and assist them in establishing a social network early in their college career. Collaborative learning is a strong component of each course. Professors receive training in collaborative learning techniques and meet regularly to discuss strategies. Students choose a Cluster based on a topic which appeals to them personally (e.g., Wellness Addiction, The Alleghenies: A Journey through Time, Our Relationship to Nature, The Seneca Nation).
Seniors are required to complete two specific courses: the Senior Colloquium and the Senior Capstone. The team-taught Colloquium features a topic which students must examine from multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives. For example, in studying an environmental issue, students can not address the problem solely as a biologist or chemist, but must also grasp the relevant political, historical, economic, and cultural contexts. Similarly, the Senior Capstone requires students to integrate knowledge from across the whole context of their major. Each department chooses the form for its Capstone-traditional, seminar, or carefully planned internship or research project.
As a young college, Pitt-Bradford remains keenly aware of developing traditions-formal and informal. Five years ago we established the annual Honors Convocation in which students' academic excellence is recognized, and one of our own professors delivers an address on the value of liberal education. On the informal side, each summer approximately 50 Allegheny River Scholars push off on a weeklong canoe trip from Bradford to Pittsburgh. These scholars include faculty, alumni, advisory board members, staff, students and administrators. During the day they get to know each other through long hours on the river and meeting the challenges of the mighty Allegheny. Each evening there is a campsite program relevant to the area. For example, while camping near the Iroquois village of Buckaloons, the head archaeologist conducted a tour and discussion on "The Bean Field," the most important archaeological site in Pennsylvania. The Allegheny River Scholars program is designed to develop community among participants and to reinforce the value of a liberal arts education. It is the Community of Learners in action!
As Levine and Cureton report, a significant portion of today's college students are over 25 years old. At Pitt-Bradford too, a significant number of our students are non-traditional or "adult" learners; however, they are a surprisingly active group in the college community. The Nontraditional Student Association has an active Colleagues Program which welcomes and mentors new nontrads. They constitute the advisory board of the Continuing Education Department, and nontrads are contributing writers to the Classic Look, the nontraditional student newsletter.
Other projects which enhance collegiate life at Pitt-Bradford include: a new Service Learning Program with opportunities for students to serve the region through positions in community organizations; evening forums voluntarily developed by faculty, staff, and students to discuss topics of current interest (most recently "Clinton, Monica, and the Media"): "Third Thursday: provides the forum for faculty, staff, and students to make presentations ranging from research to travel; improvement of cold water fisheries habitat on the West Branch of the Tunungwant (the stream which runs through campus) has been undertaken by state and local officials working cooperatively with the college community. And the list goes on . . .
The Community of Learners is continually evolving on the Bradford campus. Currently, all employees of the college are meeting in small groups to discuss their views of the Community of Learners and to better understand how we can each participate in teaching and learning in all we do. As each person defines his or her role in the teaching/learning process, the goal is to move toward an ideal Community of Learners-where all are teachers and all are learners. As always, at Pitt-Bradford-there is more to come.
Carol A. Baker, Vice President and Dean
Academic Affairs, Bradford Campus