CEHD Reads: Interactive classroom

The College of Education and Human Development focuses on an engaging and hands-on learning atmosphere. During the First-Year Experience, students will be reading and discussing "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest Gaines. The book shows that one person can make a strong impact, even in the face of demoralizing circumstances.

The professors and students discuss the book's theme, symbolism, background and much more throughout the semester. At the completion of the book, the students get the chance to meet the author and ask him the questions formulated during the course. On October 7th, 2009, our students took advantage of this opportunity to get questions answered and help formulate ideas and topics for their capstone project at the end of the semester.

Watch the video of the student's interactive experience with the author Ernest Gaines by visiting http://www.cehd.umn.edu/reads/Events/. You can start the video at minute 57 to see the questions our students ask the author.

First-Year Experience

College is an exciting new step in life! You are meeting new people, taking challenging courses, and making self discoveries. It is exciting, uncharted territory--but the adventure can be overwhelming as well. That is why the College of Education and Human Development created a program for freshman students called the First-Year Experience. It is designed to help students make a smooth transition from high school to college.

College is very different from high school. However, we want to give you the tools and resources to be successful at the University. Therefore, every first-year CEHD student will take one multidisciplinary course each semester that is team-taught by professors and with only CEHD students. This way, you will be able to make a close connection with your professors and classmates right away. It is a great way to make instant friends and study groups. Look at our CEHD website to see a video of our First-Year Experience

Welcome Week

University of Minnesota freshmen get a sneak preview of campus life before anyone else arrives by joining us during freshman Welcome Week. During Welcome Week, students move into residence halls, learn their way around campus, and meet new roommates!

This year, CEHD held a block party on College Day during Welcome Week. New students celebrated with live music, grilled food, giveaway prizes, fellow classmates, and casually dressed professors. Check out these pictures from the CEHD Block Party!

Students at Welcome Week also participate in New Student Convocation--the official event welcoming new students to their freshman year. This year's speakers including University President Robert Bruininks, Physics of Super Heroes professor James Kakalios, and a roaring performance by the University’s marching band!

Later in the week, students filled TCF Bank Stadium for a Pride and Spirit event. Check out this awesome video taken of the entire Class of 2013 creating a giant "M" on the field of TCF Bank Stadium:

Hello future freshmen!

My name is Kristy Lear and I am an admissions counselor here at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Thank you so much for visiting my College of Education and Human Development blog. That sure is a mouthful of a college name, so we can just call it CEHD for short. CEHD, one of seven colleges at the University of Minnesota, is my college of expertise and I want to use this blog to tell you all the exciting things happening in the college. Here you'll find news about campus events, important University deadlines, details about our majors, and many other thrilling topics!

Oh, and here's a little about myself: I am a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota as a Kinesiology major. (Kinesiology is the study of body movement and is one of the nine majors housed in the College of Education and Human Development.)

In the meantime, check out the Admissions Web site and CEHD Web site for more information. Got a question? Leave me a comment or send me an email at lear0030@umn.edu. I love hearing from students!