In 2003, a strategic partnership between the American Association of Colleges and Universities and the Charles Engelhard Foundation, resulted in a multi-year project known as ‘Bringing Theory to Practice.’ Recently, the Engelhard Foundation announced plans to infuse an additional $1.86 million into the project to expand its activities. The focus of the project is to develop, implement, and evaluate engaged learning opportunities for undergraduate students that allow them to increase civic, social, and personal responsibility. Currently, a diverse group of 173 schools participate in the project including Harvard University, Duke University, Boston College, Middlebury College, Tufts University, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Sarah Lawrence College, and Bryn Mawr College.
 
Earlier this fall, President Michele Perkins attended a national leadership conference with 43 other college and university presidents from the ‘Bringing Theory to Practice’ project in Washington, D.C. Discussion at the President’s Symposium centered on initiatives that would promote student involvement and success.
 
As a result of the President’s Symposium, New England College was awarded a $10,000 year-long planning grant to develop a program that addresses effective learning strategies. Through this grant, New England College will implement the ‘Campus Change for Learning’ project that builds upon the College’s recent curricular changes and ongoing commitment to engaged teaching and learning, by developing a comprehensive assessment program. Additionally, the project seeks to create a framework of engaged learning categories and related learning activities.
 
New England College also received an Access New Hampshire Initiative grant sponsored by the New Hampshire College and University Council and Campus Compact for New Hampshire and made possible with funding from Jane’s Trust. The grant is intended to support programming for students from underrepresented groups to learn about and access higher education. To address the need for college preparedness and awareness among the region’s international students, NEC has partnered with the Hillside Middle School in Manchester to develop the College Adventure program.
 
College Adventure is designed to serve 60 students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades who participate in Hillside Middle School’s English as a Second Language program. The students come from countries such as Sudan, Nigeria, Bosnia, Nepal, Pakistan, Jordan, Romania, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Spain. Through a series of monthly workshops, students will become familiar with the variety of colleges, areas of study, and careers available to them, as well as the requirements for applying to and being accepted to college. Students will have the opportunity to visit New England College, take a tour of the campus, and meet current students and faculty. A team building activity is also planned using the College’s new low ropes course. NEC administrators will evaluate the College Adventure program based on participants’ knowledge before and after the program’s activities. 

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathleen Williams
Director of Public Information
New England College
603-428-2390