Dr. Irene Rios
Dean, School of New Dimensions |
Dr. Rios joined Albertus Magnus College as the Dean of the School of New Dimensions in January, 2009. With the School's administrators, all listed below, she directs academics, curriculum, advising, and operations of the School.
Dr. Rios can be reached at irios@albertus.edu
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June Sangapore
Director of Student Services |
STUDENT SERVICES
The School of New Dimensions held the second annual Graduation Fair in early March at both the New Haven and East Hartford campuses.
The fair is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students by providing the opportunity for them to purchase their graduation regalia, meet with members of the Alumni Association, learn of new degree programs to explore next, and to participate in exit interviews with Financial Aid.
The event was again a huge success and was attended by not only graduating students but students currently in the program. The Student Services Department, along with the Dean and Directors of the School of New Dimensions, look forward to hosting this event again next year.
June has been a member of the School of New Dimensions since 2005. She oversees the support of all admissions, enrollment, advising and academic policies and procedures for the School. She can be reached at jsangapore@albertus.edu |
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CURRICULUM SERVICES
The School of New Dimensions is part of a College steeped in tradition with such an exciting future. As the College prepares for the NEASC review, the School of New Dimensions is also preparing for re-accreditation of business programs by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) - a premier business accreditor for student-centered colleges and universities.
The school is currently engaged in assessment procedures that measure course effectiveness, student competencies, and student satisfaction . All students are reminded of the importance of completing the On-line Course Evaluation survey at the conclusion of each of their courses. We value your input!
Bonnie Dingus has been with New Dimensions since 2004. In 2009 she was appointed Director of Curriculum Services, overseeing the support of course guides, textbook selection, and instructional technology. Bonnie can be reached at bdingus@albertus.edu.
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Bonnie Dingus
Director of Curriculum Services |
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Sharon Shuffitt
Director of Academic Services |
ACADEMIC SERVICES
Instructors have challenging responsibilities. While working within myriad time frames and administrative parameters of their educational environments, instructors diligently facilitate students’ understanding, articulation, and application of course concepts, as well as foster students’ development of related subject-matter skills. Obviously, for instructors and students there is a strong emphasis on course content.
Several years ago, the School of New Dimensions heightened its focus on information literacy and writing skills. Instructors engaged in workshops regarding the importance of scholarly research, the identification and avoidance of plagiarism, and the need to promote a strong “scholarly-writing” foundation from course to course. It was emphasized that instructors grade papers for not only content (i.e., knowledge and comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, synthesis) but also style (i.e., clarity of presentation) and mechanics (i.e., grammar, punctuation, and citation format).
Orientation sessions for new instructors were restructured to emphasize this information literacy and “Writing-Across-Curriculum” (WAC) crusade. Student online learning tools such as eTutoring (for undergraduate students) and Turnitin.com (for all students) were put in place in order to assist students’ efforts to improve their writing skills.
Over time, instructors and students will experience course guide changes. During the next all-faculty meeting in June, instructors will be introduced to a standardized rubric for grading papers. The rubric will become a required component of each instructor’s supplemental syllabus and, offer consistent programmatic expectations to students.
Academic excellence is not a one-time achievement. It is a dynamic integrity-building process to which all members of the Albertus community are committed and in which all members of the Albertus community are engaged actively.
Sharon has been with the School of New Dimensions since 2001 and serves to screen, orient, train, schedule, and support faculty and instructors. Sharon can be reached at sshuffitt@albertus.edu. |
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OPERATIONS
As we welcome the warmer weather, we’re focusing on safety and security at our various Learning Centers, as well as keeping pace with the GREEN movement.
Regarding safety and security, we’re pleased to announce the launch of our student photo ID program planned for April, 2011. An ID card will be a welcomed initiative for our students at all Learning Centers. Once the process is in place, academic advisors will notify cohorts to announce details surrounding the receipt of the ID cards.
Regarding our contribution to a positive environment, all bottles and cans collected in our recycling bins will be donated to local charitable organizations. Please be sure to use them! If you know of drives scheduled in your community, let us know at jjanosko@albertus.edu |
Jeff Janosko
Director of Operations |
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Kathryn Jensen
B.A., M.A.
kjensen@albertus.edu |
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Kathryn has been working as an academic advisor with our school since 2006. She came to us with over 10 years, experience in higher education, working in admissions and advising roles. Most of her career has been devoted to assisting adult learners.
Inspirational experience:
Kathryn recalls the day she saw one of her students, a victim of domestic violence, walk across the stage, obtaining her diploma with her Cohort and Learning Team. “It was wonderful to see this woman empowered, completing her degree and bettering herself, and teaching her children to stand up for themselves.”
Her advice for adult learners:
“The best advice I can give to an adult learner is to remember while you study hard to take time to smell the flowers along the way, too.”
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ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Melissa joined the school as an academic advisor in May 2011. She
advises the Wednesday and Thursday night cohorts in New Haven. Her professional
experience has been in higher education, working as an admissions counselor for
two private colleges in Connecticut. She has served as an instructor for
Freshmen Experience and an advisor to the Outstanding High School Senior Program
at the University of New Haven. She enjoys working with students of all ages as
they are completing their goal of earning a college degree, and she especially
admires adult learners because they have made the choice to take time out of
their busy life to return to school. She has been there herself, and knows how
challenging it can be!
Inspirational experience:
“Because I am new, I have not many opportunities to work with students yet, but
I can’t wait to see any of the students I am working with walk across the stage
at graduation.”
Her advice for adult learners:
“If you need to, ask for help sooner rather than later. You have a lot of things
to balance in your life while going back to school and you want to do the best
you can with everything. Ask for help from your learning team, from instructors,
and from your advisors—it is okay—we all want you to be successful!”
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Melissa Laskowski
B.S., M.B.A.
mlaskowski@albertus.edu |
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