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K-State Today

September 10, 2014

K-State First invites proposals for first-year seminars and CAT Communities

Submitted by Gregory Eiselein

K-State First Logo

The university's first-year experience program, K-State First, invites faculty and departments to propose offering first-year seminar courses for the 2015-2016 school year. 

The first-year seminar classes are smaller versions of regular, lower-level classes, and they enroll first-year students only. Departments offering first-year seminar classes receive compensation to help cover the costs associated with offering small classes taught by exceptional faculty. 

K-State First also is looking for faculty with interdisciplinary interests to teach in the CAT, or connecting across topics communities program.

These learning communities pair two regular, lower-level courses. A cohort of 22 students enrolls in both classes, and the students meet once a week in a one-hour connections course. The smaller, one-hour class is a place for the students to dive into active learning and to explore the connections between the two regular classes. Faculty members who teach the one-hour connections class receive a $1,500 stipend and the support of an undergraduate learning assistant for the semester. More information about the program and examples of current CAT communities are available online.

If department heads or faculty members are interested in participating or have questions, they should contact Greg Eiselein at eiselei@k-state.edu or 785-532-0386 by Friday, Oct. 17.