Interdisciplinarity: Campuses @ Crossroads
Northern Vermont University-Johnson
Monday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Message from Northern Vermont University President Elaine C. Collins
Dear Colleagues:
Please join us for this year’s Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) annual conference at Northern Vermont University’s Johnson campus on June 17-19, 2019.*
The theme of this conference is Interdisciplinarity: Campuses @ Crossroads. Dr. Julie Klein, Professor Emerita of Humanities at Wayne State University and published author on interdisciplinarity in higher education will provide a plenary speech on June 18, 2019.
With increasing challenges facing higher education institutions, there is pressure to create disciplinary tracks that lead directly to the workplace. Yet complex societal issues call for stronger skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and concept integration. So what happens when two long-standing institutions merge with 100 plus years of philosophical, curricular, and cultural differences? Through a series of workshops that promote reflection on issues such as undergraduate models for interdisciplinary studies; interdisciplinarity and civic engagement; valuing interdisciplinarity in assessment outcomes; and helping students find value in interdisciplinary education, it is my hope that you will leave with useful ideas to move your campus further down the road of interdisciplinarity.
Please consider attending this very special conference at Northern Vermont University-Johnson and bringing your expertise to our gathering. My personal respect and appreciation go out to all of you for your commitment to interdisciplinary skill building for students, faculty, and staff.
Sincerely,
Elaine C. Collins
President, Northern Vermont University
*Excursions and Farm-to-Table Dinner available on June 16, 2019.
About Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University is a two-campus institution of higher education with locations in Johnson and Lyndonville, Vermont, and an online division, that combines the best of our campuses’ nationally recognized liberal arts and professional programs. At NVU, our goal is to guide curious, motivated, and engaged students on their paths to success and their places in the world. Our strong academic offerings are balanced by a range of athletic and extracurricular opportunities, helping our students discover a range of experiences that help them better understand the world and prepare them to become successful, engaged citizens.
Assuming the identity of Northern Vermont University in July 2018, the university is the result of the unification of Johnson State College (founded 1828) and Lyndon State College (founded 1911). While NVU is a single institution, Johnson and Lyndon retain their distinct identities, based in their long histories and deep roots in their regions. Each campus has kept its own mascot, athletic teams — which still compete against each other — alumni association, and unique culture. Our Johnson campus was designated a COPLAC institution in 2016. You can learn more about our history here.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Associate Professor and Associate Academic Dean Kathleen Brinegar at Kathleen.Brinegar@NorthernVermont.edu or 802.635.1472