New center director arrives on Minot State campus
Beth Odahlen, the director of the new Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning, is on Minot State University’s campus, as part of a $2 million Title III grant. The five-year grant, from the U.S. Department of Education, will assist Minot State in improving services for students and faculty and aid MSU in increasing retention and graduation rates.
"Odahlen’s extensive background and experience in student support services will be a great asset to MSU as she directs our Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning," said Gary Rabe, vice president for academic affairs at Minot State. "She knows the best practices and strategies that our campus must provide in support of the needs of first-year students."
As director of CETL, Odahlen will be adding to her professional experience gained from her most recent position at the University of Utah as coordinator of student services and academic advisor within the College of Health. While there, she also taught a first-year-experience course, designed to assist students in the transition from high school life to university life. Odahlen is a member of the National Academic Advising Association and graduated with honors from the University of North Dakota.
CETL will coordinate all the retention and engagement activities for Minot State students and faculty. The new cornerstone project will also enable MSU to expand its existing tutoring program into peer tutoring and mentoring for all students and organize a faculty-development program to enhance the first-year experience of students.
Title III grant money provides the funds for a full-time CETL director, as well as a tutoring/mentoring coordinator and an administrative assistant. The DoE funds will also allow for two part-time associate directors to be hired. Aside from jobs created to run CETL, the grant money will also provide students with additional on-campus, paid internships and 75 mini-grants to faculty and staff to support new engaged-learning opportunities for students.
With Odahlen as the new CETL director, office space for the center will be renovated in an existing location on the first floor of Old Main. To contact Odahlen, e-mail her at beth.odahlen@minotstateu.edu or call her at 858-3177.
12/15/09