iSchool holds first Leep Welcome Weekend

Linda Smith with students
Associate Dean Linda C. Smith meets Leep students

Ninety-five Leep students traveled to campus from over twenty-five states for the iSchool's inaugural Welcome Weekend on September 23-25. During the course of the weekend, Leep students interacted with faculty and fellow classmates at a Friday afternoon reception and Saturday night dinner, learned about student organizations over breakfast on Saturday morning, and attended workshops on a variety of topics as well as sessions on cultural competency and professional development. On Saturday, students selected which workshops they wanted to attend—options included such topics as career strategies, faculty research, creating a professional web presence, and technology in libraries. At the Leep Unplugged session, Leep alumni engaged students in a Q&A format.

Leep Welcome Weekend replaces the initial seven-day residency for Leep students, affectionately known as Boot Camp. Students are now able to complete all degree requirements online, including LIS 502, which had previously been completed during the seven-day residency.

The weekend was a hit with Leep students, who enjoyed mingling with faculty, talking with their peers, and connecting with alumni. Students commented that the weekend made them feel more connected to the School and the University. Around thirty iSchool faculty and staff actively participated, in addition to alumni, library, and adjunct faculty.

"The success of this model lies not only in the hands of those faculty and staff who developed and participated in it, but more importantly, it lies in the energetic engagement the students themselves brought to the weekend. We look forward to working with students, faculty, and staff to continue to evolve the weekend to ensure Leep students are well prepared to be academically successful, to feel like a part of the iSchool community, and to begin to develop important professional relationships with their peers and colleagues," said Meg Edwards, assistant dean for student affairs.

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