Open Curriculum with Amherst College & Vassar College

Today’s episode explores a topic that is generating some buzz in the higher ed space - open curriculum. We sat down with our admissions colleagues Hira Byrne, Assistant Dean of Admissions at Amherst College, and Colleen Mallet, Director of Veterans Students Outreach & Support. We broke down the differences between each school’s open curriculum policy and the many opportunities provided to students under an open curriculum model. The conversation brings to light what academic and professional experiences can be had, the benefits of community engaged learning, misconceptions about what an open curriculum is or isn’t, and more!

Main Topics

• Hira and Colleen’s backgrounds and introductions (1:29)

• Overview of Open Curriculum at each school (3:39)

• How academic experiences in an open curriculum prepare students for future careers, importance of exploring topics that interest you & community-engaged learning, building connections across disciplines & learning to think multidimensionally (7:46)

• Benefits of built-in soft skill education for post-graduation opportunities (12:39)

• Advice for applicants that are nervous or hesitant to transition from a structured military environment & pursue the flexibility of an open curriculum, misconceptions about open curriculum (16:53)

• Advice for students that have a specific path already in mind & aren’t interested as much in exploring outside interests/courses (23:48)

• Thinking & preparing beyond your time in college, articulating your “why” for career aspirations (29:54)

• Biggest added value to each institution & student veteran feedback about personal benefits of open curriculum (32:14)

Additional Resources

• Vassar Admissions

• Vassar’s Academics & Open Curriculum

• Amherst Admissions

• Amherst’s Academics & Open Curriculum

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