Spring 2011
Important Dates:
April 4th, 11th, 18th:
Senior Daze
April 12th & 14th:
Junior Days
Volume 2, Issue 1
Thames Academy—A Whole New Way to Look at
Post-Grad and Pre-College Experiences
T
Juniors can start
applying now!
hames Academy is a post-grad (PG) or
pre-college transitional experience. It is a
year of academic preparation that students take
between the end of their secondary school/high
school education and the start of their college
studies. Unlike traditional post-grad programs at
independent or prep schools, Thames Academy at
Mitchell College provides college level courses for
credit. Located on Mitchell College campus, the
Academy provides a highly structured residential
program within a collegiate environment and co-curricular interaction with two-year and four-year students.
Students who embark upon this distinctive transitional year will have already obtained their high school
diploma and are college age.
Thames Academy
Facebook page:
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Search for
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Mitchell College”
Thames Academy at Mitchell College
Class of 2010 Graduation and
Certificate Ceremony
August 5th:
New Student Orientation
Contact Admissions for info:
800-443-2811
Special Points
of Interest:
Applications being
accepted for Fall 2011
Thames Academy Blog
mitchellcampusprojects.com/
blogs
Scholarship information:
Contact Scott S. Garbini at
[email protected], or
860-701-5044 for details
Unique Features:
Ability to earn up to 20
transferable college credits
3-tier support system
Development of a
Personalized Learning Plan
Workshops focusing on
vocabulary & writing, math,
computer skills, learning &
study strategies,
team building &
collaboration, leadership,
and presentation & oral
communications
First-year seminar course
to help acclimate to
college life
T
he day was sunny and warm, the excitement electrifying. Families from all over the country showed up to Celebrate the Thames
Academy 2010 Certificate ceremony. Opening Remarks from Tammy
Vuksinic Director of Thames Academy welcomed everyone to the special
day, followed by a wonderful and inspiring speech from Mitchell College
President Mary Ellen Jukoski. Thirty students walked the stage that day
getting ready to embark on a new journey in their lives. The Audience
was serenaded before, during and after the ceremony by the sounds
of Graduate Kyle Murray singing and strumming away on his acoustic
guitar accompanied by Dirk Litzner. Please join me in congratulating
these thirty bright and wonderful students on the next chapter in life.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
Spring 2010
Staff Bio: Christopher Scott
A
s the new Assistant Director of Thames Academy,
Christopher Scott looks forward to working with
the dynamic staff and students at Thames Academy.
Christopher was born and raised in Milton, Massachusetts and graduated from the University of New Haven.
“I am excited
to work in a true
Living-learning
Environment”
—Christopher Scott
Assistant Director
Thames Academy
Over the past three years, Christopher has worked at
Mitchell College as a Residence Hall Director and spent
his summers working with S.T.E.P. (Summer Transition Enrichment Program) which focuses on helping
students with learning disabilities in their transition
to College. During the three years in which Christopher
has worked at Mitchell he has enjoyed the small family
atmosphere, focus individual students are given, and of
course, the location.
During his tenure working at Mitchell,
Christopher has worked closely with the staff
and students at Thames Academy and was excited
to join the Thames family when the opportunity
presented itself. In his off time Christopher
enjoys spending time with his family and friends,
the outdoors, history, and sports. Christopher is
excited for his first year at Thames and chance to
work in a true living-learning community.
Graduate Testimonial:
Kyle Murray ’10
specialist who worked with me every day.
The Thames learning specialists and faculty are
amazing. They helped me stay motivated and gave
Why I chose Thames Academy me the confidence I needed to get my head on
straight. As I worked with them more and more,
y name is Kyle Murray, and I graduated from my nervousness went away and I just started to
Thames Academy in 2010. I would like to
enjoy being at Thames.
tell you a little bit about my experience.
I joined clubs and made new friends at Thames
Before coming to Thames, I researched programs
and at Mitchell. Donna Ogle, the Drama Club
that would help me decide if college was right for
Advisor, gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, and
me. The first one was a very structured program in helped me discover a talent that I didn’t know I had.
Southern Illinois, closer to where I live. The other
I was chosen to be in cast of one of the Mitchell
was Thames Academy, a Post Graduate program in
plays. Who knew I could act, dance and sing?
Connecticut that worked with Mitchell College. I
chose Thames because it had everything that I
When the school year came to an end, I was a
wanted to get me started on the right track. The
different person. Thames changed me. My grade
director, Tammy Vuksinic was so helpful and she
point average was 3.6, and I sang and played the
answered all of our questions. From her explanaguitar at our graduation. I had the confidence I
tion, Thames seemed like it had the tools I needed needed to be successful in school. If it wasn’t for
to be successful. After visiting both programs, I
Thames, I would be working at a job I hated because
felt Thames was a better fit for me and I made my
I didn’t have a college degree, and be absolutely
decision to come.
miserable. Thames Academy is an opportunity of
a lifetime if you take it and do the challenges that
Coming into Thames I was very nervous. My confi- Thames throws at you. I am currently enrolled
dence was low and I didn’t think I could do well
at Mitchell College pursuing a degree in
in college. Boy was I mistaken! As soon as I got
Communications with a concentration in
to Thames, I was assigned to learning and writing
Production, Performance and Technology.
M
“Thames Academy is
an opportunity of a
lifetime if you take it
and do the challenges
that Thames throws
at you”
—Kyle Murray ’10
Thames Academy Quick Facts
T
Thames Academy continues to expand its programming and reach. While the cornerstone of the program
continues to be its personalized and structured academic community, Thames students are integrated
into the college community via recreational and co-curricular activities. 50% of Thames graduates continue
on at Mitchell, while others are currently pursuing degrees at colleges such as Emerson College, New England
College, Lasell College, Salem State College, Beacon College, New Mexico State University, St. Francis
College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Curry College, Becker College, Manhattanville College,
Adelphi University, and many more.
Thames Course Breakdown
Developmental English
The course emphasizes the fundamentals
of sentence and paragraph construction.
Attention is also given to vocabulary
development, reading comprehension
and the basics of word processing. basic
study skills identified by the faculty as
essential to success in the college classroom: these skills include note-taking,
textbook management, summarizing,
and the writing of essay tests.
Introduction to
College Writing
This course introduces students to the
writing, reading, and thinking skills
necessary for success in college as
well as in the workplace. Assignments
emphasize composition processes,
writing for different purposes, reading
and responding critically, and conventions of formal written English. This is a
writing intensive (WI) course, requiring
students to submit a minimum of 15
pages of revised and edited text in
finished form.
Introduction to
Human Development
This course explores the nature of
human growth and development from
the very beginnings of life to its culmi-
nation. Attention is focused on lifespan
developmental issues and themes,
research methods, genetics, prenatal
development, infancy and childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, and dying and
death. The inter-relatedness of physical,
cognitive, personality and social
developments within each life stage
is emphasized, as well as how major
theories of human development.
First Year Seminar
The First Year Seminar helps first year
students adjust to the intellectual and
personal challenges of higher education,
all first year students participate in a
special course entitled First Year Seminar
(FS101). The course engenders a sense of
community and presents the opportunity
to learn about the nature and expectations of higher education, the resources
of Mitchell College, and to explore their
own identity while developing the skills
and understandings, and expectations
of higher education, the resources of
Mitchell College, and to explore their
own identity while developing the skills
and understandings, required to engage
in intellectual pursuits.
Fundamentals of
College Algebra
Includes a review of arithmetic and
geometric concepts, operations on
signed numbers, solving linear equations,
polynomials, use of formulas, graphs and
word problems.
Effective Speech and
Communication
This course explores the dynamics of
small group participation, interpersonal
communications and public speaking.
Students study and practice listening,
non-verbal language, communication
ethics, fitting the message to the audience, interviewing, interpersonal and
group interaction, using technology,
research and presentational aids, and
speaking in public with credibility,
confidence and impact.
Conditioning and Fitness
Conditioning and Fitness explores
the theories of physical conditioning
as related to physical education and
health fitness.
Required Weekly
Workshops
Vocabulary and writing, Personal Finance,
Learning and Study Strategies, Team
Building Collaboration, Presentation
Skills and Oral Communication SelfAdvocacy and Leadership
Required Small Group
Tutoring or LRC Sessions
Thames Academy at Mitchell College 2010
Incoming Student Orientation
T
he day was Friday, August 6th a beautiful afternoon in New England as Parents, Grandparents,
Brothers and Sisters joined the incoming Thames Academy Class of 2010 for Orientation. Held
on the beautiful 68 acre waterfront campus of Mitchell College students started the day with light
refreshments and an introduction from the campus President Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D. The day
was jam packed with information for students and parents. After the BBQ luncheon students had
the opportunity to explore Thames, pick potential roommates and take “dibs” on rooms (Families
came in from as far away as California and Florida and everyone seemed to have an incredible time).
Special thanks to Tammy Vuksinic and her incredible staff for planning a great day. The incoming
class is made up of students from California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia and Tanzania Africa!
Mitchell
College
Updates
RadioMitchell
Check out our NEW internet
radio station!
www.radiomitchellonline.com
Career Center
The Career Center at
Mitchell College plays a
vital role in preparing our
learning community for
life’s work after college. Our
mission is to shift aspiration to inspiring academic
and career goals as
students journey the road
to that special internship,
job, or graduate program.
Through Mitchell’s Career
Center, students and
alumni have complimentary
access to:
• Résumé workshops and
video-tape mock
interview sessions
• Individualized career
planning and graduate
school guidance
• Professional career
support for students
with disabilities
• Access to and counsel
on Myers Briggs and
Strong Interest
Inventory assessments
College Central Network:
a 24/7 internship and
career management tool
links to our Career Center
news, alumni and business
networks, an informative
video library, and national
job board for more information on careers.
Over 29 years of
LD Support
Unique to higher education,
Mitchell’s renown Learning
Resource Center program
has three distinct levels of
LD support, a staff of more
than two dozen learning
and writing specialists
and a specialized ADHD
coaching program. In its
29th year the LRC is the
premier LD support program
in the United States and a
testament to the College’s
commitment to supporting
individual learning
differences.
Class of 2011 Move-In Weekend
W
hat do 36 students, 100 family members, numerous staff
and student workers have in common on Move in weekend?
A very busy and exciting day ahead. Smiling resident assistants
checked in students, issued keys, and gave a list of dorm rules to
Thames Students, while parents, brothers and sisters trucked up
and down 3 flights of stairs, moving in clothes, shoes, bedding,
TV’s and more. Many parents were anxious knowing that they
would be leaving their child possibly for the first time and,
students had a sense of excitement knowing they would soon be
starting Thames. By 5:00pm parents and had left, and the RA’s
prepared the students for a trip over to the cafeteria for their first
official “College” meal of the year.
Thames Academy
Fees for 2010–
2011 School Year
Comprehensive tuition,
room, board & fees:
$42,000
Financing options:
• Loan Programs
• Limited Merit
Scholarships
Federal Need-Based
Aid not available
For More
Information
Scott S. Garbini M.Ed
Assistant Director
of Admissions
Thames Academy
437 Pequot Ave
New London, CT 06320-4498
Phone:
860-701-5044
800-443-2811
Fax: 860-444-1209
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web: www.mitchell.edu
Thames Academy Admissions
T
o apply to the Thames Academy at Mitchell College, students need to submit the following information:
Completed Application for Admission
• $30 non-refundable application fee
• Secondary School Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation
• Personal Statement (an essay or some
other form of personal expression)
In addition to the above information, all applicants are
required to have a personal interview. Students requiring
support for a learning disability or ADHD should also
submit testing documentation.
Mitchell College Admissions
W
e understand how busy your life can be –
dealing with school, peers and family
responsibilities – all in a complex and changing
world. Finding the right college may seem at times
to be an overwhelming task. We provide you with the
tools to navigate successfully through the college
application process.
The best way to determine if Thames is the right
school for you is to personally visit our campus.
We encourage you to come and meet the people of
Mitchell, talk to our students, faculty and staff, sit
in on a class, and take a student-guided tour of our
beautiful waterfront campus
Tours and Information Sessions
with Admissions Counselors, LRC
Staff, and Coaches are available
Monday through Friday from 9 am
to 3 pm. If you’d like to arrange a
personal visit, complete with a
student-guided campus tour of our
68-acre waterfront campus and an
interview with an admissions
counselor, faculty member
or learning specialist, please
give us a call today at:
800-443-2811 or email your
Campus Visit Coordinator,