GEOLOGY LEARNING COMMUNITIES FOR FRESHMEN UNDERGRADUATES AS A SUCCESSFUL RECRUITING TOOL

Student recruitment in the geology program at Northern Kentucky University has focused on actively engaging freshmen undeclared students enrolled in the introductory geology course through a geology focused learning community. The learning community involves 18 undeclared freshmen enrolled in GLY 110 (Face of the Earth) with lab and UNV 101 (Introduction to the University). Both classes have been taught by faculty with a background in geology. In both classes students are involved in field trips and assignments that focus on geology. The orientation course uses lessons from the geology course to teach study skills, introduce them to campus resources, and encourage interaction between the students and the faculty. The success of the learning community is attributed to the close interaction between the students and the faculty, providing the students with a comfortable network early in their university careers. This learning community has been integral in the success of the geology department in recruiting majors, with 30% of the department having participated in these classes.