Letter from the Chair - 2017

The 2017-18 academic year, my ninth as chair of the Liberal Studies Department, is off to a strong start. As always, it’s a privilege to serve our enthusiastic students alongside such dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and generous community partners.

It’s also an honor to have alumni like you who are leading the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards and bringing STEM and Learn by Doing into your classrooms. We’d love to see you in person during Mustang Family Weekend.

On Friday, Oct. 20, we hope you’ll share the excitement at our second annual Liberal Studies Reunion. The reunion is a great time to connect with other alumni, meet credential candidates, share ideas and of course relax with a glass of wine and a rooftop view of San Luis Obispo. Check our website for more information or register now.

Taking a quick look back, we want to congratulate our graduating class of 2017. We are so proud of these future educators! Most of them continued on to a multiple subject credential program. A few are pursuing a master’s degree in special education or a single subject credential. We wish them a brilliant career.

We’re excited to have welcomed Dean Wendt, the new dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, in July. The students are getting to know him as Dean Dean. We also want to thank Phil Bailey — who retired at the end of June after 34 years as dean and 48 years at Cal Poly — for his long-running support of our majors and of primary education.

Last summer we launched a new study abroad program in San Miguel de Allende. Twenty students studied Spanish and the cultural and history of Mexico, including five liberal studies students, a couple of students considering a single subject credential, and one bilingual educator from our community.

The group enjoyed field trips to Teotihuacán and Guanajuato, homestays and Learn by Doing activities with local school children. We are planning to offer this opportunity every year and hope that our students take advantage of one of the study abroad opportunities that Cal Poly offers.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us offer our students excellent educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

 

Wishing you all the best,
Lola Berber-Jiménez, Chair
Liberal Studies Department