Colleges
What is the purpose of Colleges?
The Colleges/Divisions system does the following:
Identifies at least one faculty member for any given student who will be well suited to advise them on their projects and progress.
Delineates skill sets that students may wish to acquire.
Makes the skill ecosystem apparent to students and gives them experience working in a team oriented work environment.
Makes the need for collaboration apparent through the identification of multiple necessary areas of expertise.
Simplifies course selection and graduation requirements.
What is a College?
To achieve the outlined objectives, the Innovative Minds Academy has introduced a comprehensive College system. This system rigorously classifies courses while providing a more flexible categorization for faculty members and students. The institution comprises four distinct Colleges—College of Inquiry, College of Innovation, College of Presentation, and College of Sustainability. These Colleges not only signify the purpose of the skill sets acquired but also encompass various divisions that identify the specific skill sets associated with each course. For example, the course "Video Game Production" falls under the Division of Automation within the College of Innovation. Faculty members are linked to specific divisions and Colleges based on the courses they instruct, creating a cohesive alignment between educators and the academic structure. In tandem, students can selectively affiliate themselves with a particular College, indicating their preference for project focus. This choice also designates the faculty members who will serve as their advisors.
Moreover, the elective association of students with a College allows for a more personalized approach to their academic journey. It not only reflects their project preferences but also establishes a direct link with faculty mentors. The integration of students into the College system fosters a collaborative environment where shared project interests can thrive. Additionally, the dissemination of project information is streamlined through the involvement of each College. Each College takes on a distinct role in publicizing projects, with a dedicated focus on the relevant aspects associated with the initiatives. This strategic approach enhances project visibility and ensures that pertinent information reaches the target audience within the academic community.
In essence, the Innovative Minds Academy's College system plays a pivotal role in aligning courses, faculty members, and students, fostering a dynamic and collaborative educational experience. The system's intricate structure not only serves to organize academic elements but also enhances communication and engagement within the academic community. Through this innovative framework, the institution seeks to empower students and faculty alike, promoting a holistic and purpose-driven approach to education.
How does the Innovative Minds Academy prevent unnecessary separation?
The primary risk of the College system is that it will encourage or enforce unnecessary separation of faculty, students, and ideas. To prevent this, the Innovative Minds Academy has implemented a number of practices to encourage cross fertilization of ideas:
Innovative Minds Academy will host monthly project presentations for the entire academy and community (a bazaar).
Before graduating, students must earn at least twelve credits from each of the Colleges (at least 3 from each division). (Credits can be earned from multiple Colleges for the same project.) Faculty members suggest cross College projects for continuous improvement of the Innovative Minds Academy at least once per semester.