Students are encouraged to participate actively in various extra-curricular activities related to their studies. In addition to the opportunities listed below there are also volunteer opportunities to assist with the annual ODU Literary-Festival or at AWP with the ODU MFA Program Table.
Engagement Across Campus
First Gen
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The phrase "first-generation college students" is used to describe students whose parents or grandparents did not earn a college degree. Our conversations indicate that many of our faculty and faculty administrators were first-generation college students themselves.
The main goal of the 'F1RST Faculty' opportunity is to encourage faculty-student interaction outside of the classroom through relationships that help to improve sense of belonging for both first-gen faculty and first-gen students.
English Representative: Senior Lecturer Mary Beth Pennington
Program Acceleration for Collegiate Entrepreneurship
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ODU continues to encourage campus participation with innovative practices and entrepreneurship in and outside the classroom. Forty-five instructors are selected each year to participate in this intensive workshop led by the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.
Topics include:
- The Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Mastering Creativity and Innovation
- Experiential Teaching Strategies
English Representative: Assistant Professor Kevin Moberly
Textbook Free Campaign
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Given the recent rise of college tuition costs, many students struggle to afford textbooks and materials needed to succeed in the classroom.
We now offer several general education and upper-level course sections "textbook free" and continue to expand our Open Educational Resources so all students have access and opportunity to learn and achieve.
English Representative: Lecturer Alicia DeFonzo
ODU Disability Pride
We work year-round to promote disability awareness, acceptance, and pride at ODU. Collaborating across multiple departments and programs, our committee puts on a variety of events in the month of October geared toward students, staff, and faculty. Our goal is to normalize the presence of disability on campus and create a campus culture that welcomes people with disabilities.
English Representative: Assistant Professor Ruth Osorio
Excite the Dream
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This program is designed for underrepresented scholars with a dream of pursuing a career in academia. This program provides an opportunity for underrepresented scholars to gain more insight into the professoriate by inviting them to campus to participate in a one-day experience designed to cultivate skills in teaching, research, grant writing and innovative use of technology. Scholars will have the opportunity to attend workshops from award-winning ODU professors, learn about our campus and scholarly expectations, as well as present their research agenda to chairs, deans and potential hiring committee members. More Information ►