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Dear Sociology Community, Alumni, and Friends,
Thank you once again to our sociology community: alumni, parents of alumni, community members, current students, and everyone who has supported us in so many ways. It has been another busy year and we are so proud of our students.
This fall we welcomed the largest entering class of sociology majors and their energy and enthusiasm has been contagious. We completed a successful (and very competitive) search for a new Assistant Professor in urban sociology and immigration, you will hear more about her in our next update. We also completed an external review of our program and curriculum. Our reviewers noted the strength of our curriculum, our faculty and staff, and how happy our students were with the major and their experiences in the Department. Of their meetings with current students and analysis of the data we had collected from students they concluded, “Students, many of whom were double majors, shared that they appreciate how the faculty foster an inclusive and accessible community in their classes by encouraging them to build personal connections with the sociological content under discussion and with their classmates. They noted that a Department strength was the faculty’s use of an open discussion format and emphasis on student-directed learning. Students also appreciated the variety of courses offered, which allowed them to personalize the major to match their passions. Finally, students repeatedly emphasized the welcoming environment within the Sociology Department. Students who declared the major upon matriculation, started as minors and then declared a major, and transfer students all shared that this environment is critical to the Department’s identity and their success.”
The reviewers ended their report saying, “The Department is thriving…There is a new hire coming onboard next year and the two junior faculty have achieved tenure, promising stability for the future. The Sociology Department has made considerable progress since the previous reviews and this should be commended. With the current group of faculty, there is potential to become one of the strongest programs at the University.”
This positive review is only possible because of the foundation and support that has been provided by you, our alumni, current students, and the hard work of current and past faculty and staff. Especially important has been how we have been able to learn and grow from what students have told us they need and want over the years. THANK YOU.
We hope you enjoy reading about our most recent graduates and updates from our faculty and staff. Truly, we are grateful for all of you who have made our Department what it is and continues to be. And if you haven’t already, please do join our department’s LinkedIn page and contact us if you are coming to campus. We would love to see you!
Sincerely,
Your Sociology Department at SCU
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