Innovation Academy Update

by Dr. Jeff Citty

Many exciting and creative ideas are bubbling up from the Innovation Academy’s (IA) suite of programs and services: 

• First, IA’s Fall Connection courses and study abroad opportunities are in full swing, as we prepare for the IA students’ arrival in Spring 2013.
• Currently, we are planning to monitor IA students’ Fall Connection academic progress through communication from faculty members teaching the Fall Connection courses along with communication from the students. This will include announcements of important dates and deadlines, as well as contact information. 
• Additionally, we are planning a kick-off celebration called “Launch into IA” on January 4th, the Friday before class begin, in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom. Further details will be coming in the next few weeks. 
• We are also in the development phase of a multidisciplinary team-based fall internship program for IA students’ sophomore fall semester.  Again, stay tuned for more details on this. 
• The next phase of the three-step orientation process--Gateways--launched on September 24th with the first on-line module in Sakai.  New Student Programs will release the additional two modules on October 8th and 24th. Students who have technical difficulties should be directed to the UF Computer Help Desk at 352-392-HELP.  All other questions can be directed to newstudentinfo@dso.ufl.edu or to 352-392-1621. 
• Lastly, we have created college level email listserves so that colleges are able to email IA students with college-specific information.

Recruitment and admission for the next year’s class began on August 1st and the IA interest is showing some growth over last year’s numbers with some assistance from the IA flyer. We have approximately 4% more applicants this year than at the same time point last year, but we are still early in the application process. Click here if you are interested in obtaining an IA flyer for your office

IA FAST FACTS

334 IA students confirmed enrollment in IA

312 IA students completed the two day Preview session

225 IA students completed housing contracts for Beaty East

173 IA students enrolled in Fall Connection courses

7 IA students are studying abroad

3 IA students featured on our website in the “Student Spotlight”

2 IA majors have been added--Computer Science & Digital Arts and Sciences

Please continue to check the IA website for more exciting information.  My thanks to all of you for your assistance in helping make the Innovation Academy successful at UF.   Go Gators!