Santa Clara University

LEAD Week

All incoming LEAD Scholars are expected to participate in LEAD Week. This program is designed to help scholars make a smooth transition from high school into college life both academically and socially. It is an opportunity to learn about the expectations of college courses by participating in college level classes. In addition, scholars will learn about the social and academic resources on campus, and have a supportive network of faculty, staff, and peers that will extend beyond LEAD Week.

LEAD Week Components

Course-Based Academic Program

• ENGL I, Critical Thinking and Writing
  All LEAD Scholars enroll in the ENGL 1A class with a LEAD Week faculty member. These students will continue with the same professor and cohort group through the fall quarter. Course work in the ENGL 1A class during LEAD Week will count towards the final grade in the fall quarter. It is mandatory that students attend all class sessions, participate in class, complete all essay assignments and daily readings. Scholars will continue into ENGL 2A in winter quarter with the same cohort and instructor.
• LEAD Week Elective Course
  These courses last from Monday through Friday of LEAD Week. Scholars choose from four different elective classes. These classes may vary slightly each year and include such topics as: Chemistry, Religious Studies, Business or Engineering. On the questionnaire at the end of the packet, you will be asked to select one of these electives. Please use the following descriptions to select a course. These classes will not be graded and will not go on a student’s permanent record. However, the courses are an integral part of LEAD Week, and it is mandatory that scholars attend all class sessions, participate in class discussions, and complete homework assignments and exams.
• Elective Course Descriptions
• • Chemistry Course: The transition from high school to college presents challenges to all students, but perhaps more so to students whose parents did not attend college. Science courses can be particularly challenging because of the mathematical, problem solving component many contain. This one week exposure to some of the most important and challenging topics in general chemistry will serve to give you not only valuable knowledge you can carry into Chemistry 11 in the Fall, but a measure of confidence as well. Honing your note taking skills will also be a major goal of this program. Class note taking represents a part of the learning process and notes serve as an important review mechanism in preparing for exams. The more you can recreate the original lecture in your mind from lecture notes (and accompanying class handouts), the more effective any review effort will be. This course will involve reading, problem solving, and one sample exam.
  • Religious Studies: This is an introductory course designed to introduce you to the many different non-religious ways of understanding religion, formally known as methodology of religion. The class will consist of a mix of lectures and group discussion. We will all seek to understand the roots of our own personal definitions of religion while simultaneously learning about academic (non-religious) understandings of religion which will include anthropological, sociological, psychological, and philosophical viewpoints. Respect for all spiritual traditions will be the dominant theme. At the end of the course, the students will be expected to be able to analyze their own personal understandings with any of these viewpoints, as well as be able to use their own personal understanding of religion to analyze academic viewpoints. While the basis of this course is religious studies, the overall goal is to increase reading ability, comprehension and analysis of text, and communication with professor in the classroom. This course will involve daily readings and in-class discussions.
  • Engineering Course: In this course, students will get some exposure to engineering and explore what it means to be an engineer in terms of both academic and career paths. We will discuss the design process that engineers employ and apply principles of science and mathematics to achieve solutions to engineering problems. Students will learn logic principles and test their understanding by applying them to simple real world applications. We will then engage in a brief discussion on sensors, and how to capture data from the real world such as temperature, pressure etc. The students will then utilize logic to process the sensory data and design a home automation system. We will implement a "backyard" motion detector using electronic components and test the design to see if and how it functions.
  • Business Course: This course will expose students to a variety of Business Topics. For example, we will explore what employers expect from college graduates. Knowing what employers look for in a new graduate will give these students ideas as to what they need to do while in college to prepare themselves for the ‘real world’. The course will also cover some controversial topics such as Globalization and some fun issues such as Business Myths.  

Leadership Development

All Scholars must attend and participate in all learning skills and resource workshops. Workshops will be conducted throughout the duration of LEAD Week with the aim to present learning skills necessary to prepare you for the demands of college life, as well as to introduce you to SCU people and resources vital to your future success. The ultimate goal is for students to become their own advocates and leaders in their academic careers.

Team/Community Building

LEAD Scholars must attend and participate in all team/community building activities both on and off campus. Through LEAD Week we hope that you will create and establish a community with your fellow LEAD Scholars who will also serve as a resource and peer support through your Santa Clara University experience.

LEAD Scholars Seminar

While LEAD Week takes place the week prior to the start of fall quarter, the LEAD Seminar takes place in fall and winter quarter to provide academic assistance, workshops, and community building. The Seminar is a two-unit course that meets once a week. The Seminar is a venue for continuing the support for LEAD Scholars by discussing important topics and sharing vital university information regarding college transition experiences, campus resources, leadership opportunities and vocation exploration.

LEAD Week Team

Lead Week is successful due to the support and efforts of our LEAD Week Team. Santa Clara University faculty from various departments will teach courses and help scholars understand the expectations of college-level course work and faculty/student relationship. The faculty will go beyond the classroom experience, and share with scholars the need to create strong bonds with faculty, share important study tips, and serve as an additional resource to scholars.

ENGL 1  and LEAD Seminar courses also have Peer Educators, current Santa Clara University students, who provide academic support. Among other responsibilities they may provide tutoring, and lead and participate in class discussions. These students continue as peer educators through LEAD Week, and fall and winter quarters.

Peer Mentors are current Santa Clara University students who will facilitate peer mentor meetings throughout LEAD Week. Peer Mentors will share their experience as SCU students, providing important tips on how to navigate the SCU system, and answer questions for our incoming scholars. Peer Mentors will also coordinate fun activities and team building sessions.

The LEAD Scholars Program Director and Assistant Director will support your educational path throughout your four years at Santa Clara University. The Director and Assistant Director, with the help of the Administrative Assistant, organize all areas of the LEAD Scholars Program including LEAD Week and the LEAD Scholars Seminar.

LEAD Week 2013 Typical Daily Schedule

Monday, September 16 through Friday, September 20, 2013

LEAD Week will officially end after a celebration dinner which begins on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.