Lori Johnson

Assistant Provost for Student Enrichment
Xavier University

Project Title:

An Ignatian First-Year Co-Curricular Program

Overview:

In Xavier’s Co-Curricular Program, first-year students engage in intentional learning
to develop the whole person, be successful university students, and lead lives that contribute to the greater
good. This is a year-long program that will engage all new, first-year students in highly participatory biweekly group meetings. The program is in coordination with the new First-Year Seminar which will help
students answer two important questions: (1) Who am I in this new environment? (2) What do I want to
accomplish?

Rational:

Research indicates that the successful transition to and through the first-year of college is
essential to students’ ability to persist and achieve their goals. While Xavier has a number of department
specific programs as well as a four-day Manresa Orientation, until now it lacked a coordinated
acclimation and support program that touched all new first-year students throughout the entire academic
year. To that end, this program will support the ongoing social, emotional and academic adjustment of
students. Further, the program will be intentionally designed to support the learning outcomes, based on
the Jesuit values in the University’s new core curriculum program. By using the best practices for
engaged learning and influenced by Ignatian pedagogy, this program will support student learning,
development and persistence.

Project Details:

Using Xavier’s core curriculum learning outcomes (Jesuit values) as a guide, the following
student learning outcomes were developed:
Choices/Decision Making (Reflection and Discernment): As a result of completing the co-curricular
program:
     Develop and demonstrate the ability to reflect on and discern choices that ensure their success
throughout their time at Xavier
     Develop and demonstrate the ability to make good ethical decisions and choices that will
contribute to their success throughout their time at Xavier
Evaluation of and Management of Self (Cura Personalis): As a result of completing the program,
students will reflect on and develop an awareness of self and how they relate to the world around
them.
Relationships with Others (Solidarity and Kinship): As a result of completing the program, students
will evaluate and gain knowledge around what constitutes human wellness.
Connection to the World/Life After Xavier (Service Rooted in Justice and Love): As a result of
completing the program, students will develop a framework to describe how their vocation and
aspiration will evolve and how they will contribute to the world.

Indications of Success:

1. Achievement of associated student learning outcomes.
2. Increased first-year student engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life to be measured by
NSSE, EBI and other program evaluations.
3. Improved student satisfaction and persistence.
4. All new students will be able to articulate their purpose for being in college at Xavier.

Challenges:

1. Finding appropriate space for experiential and engaged learning activities.
2. Realigning professional positions to support delivery and assessment of the program.
3. Intentional integration with other first-year core courses.