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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: October 8, 2009
Jennifer Whitlow
Program Coordinator, Office of Outreach, Enrollment and Community
Leaving for college can be one of the most exciting times in a teenâs life. However, the transition can be difficult and unnerving even for prepared students and their families. The College of Computingâs Office of Outreach, Enrollment and Community (OEC), helps students and their families manage the jump from high school to a modern research university like Georgia Tech.
OECâs mission is to establish and steward a pipeline of qualified undergraduate computing students who attend and graduate from the College with the best possible career options. The office works towards this goal through the three areas of emphasis spelled out in its name: outreach, enrollment and community.
Outreach focuses on increasing the number and diversity of middle and high school computer science teachers and students in the state and region. This is accomplished by assisting students with the Advanced Placement exam, holding summer computing camps for teachers and students, and introducing computer science to Girl Scouts, Boys and Girlsâ Clubs and the YWCA through camps and workshops.
OECâs enrollment efforts include participation in campus-wide recruitment initiatives (such as Connect with Tech, Futures, Preview Georgia Tech and ES.TU.DIA) and weekly information sessions. The office works to build and support relationships with high school teachers and students. And it also runs an interactive computing expo that explores both of the Collegeâs undergraduate majors, computer science (including its eight Threads) and computational media, as well as camps that familiarize students, parents and teachers with the Georgia Tech atmosphere and its computing curriculum.
OECâs community-building work is meant to help retain undergraduate students by creating a network that supports their academic and personal development throughout their time at Georgia Tech. This support structure includes active student organizations, a vibrant mentoring program that matches up College students with alumni volunteers and/or older undergraduates, and advisement support from the Collegeâs advisers, faculty and staff.
The College supports more than 14 student organizations devoted to special interests (such as minority and female participation in computer science), professional development, academics and social opportunities. The mentoring and intentional advisement programs begin before students even arrive on campus; entering students are paired with an upperclassman mentor and begin to form social networks over the summer prior to classes.
During the first semester, students will participate in CS 1100, a one-hour seminar course that focuses on adjusting to Georgia Tech and the College of Computing. GT1000 is another one-hour course offered during the second semester to help students hone their study skills and learn how to manage their time. In addition to mentors and adjustment classes, advisors are always available to help students plan classes and outside activities that help round out their education.
During studentsâ second year, advisement programs take a different focus with a seminar that helps students majoring in computer science choose their Threads combination. Offered throughout the year are sessions to assist with resume writing, interviewing skills and network building. During the junior and senior years, students gradually begin to plug into the Collegeâs extensive alumni network and have their option to attend regularly scheduled career preparation sessions that will assist them during their career search.
Through all of these activities, the College of Computingâs Office of Outreach, Enrollment and Community works to draw a road map that can help guide students through the twists and turns of college, from application to graduation-and beyond. For more information, please contact Meredith Goodman mgoodman@cc.gatech.edu, program coordinator for Undergraduate Enrichment at the College of Computing at 404.385.2378.
