The primary objectives of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) Academic Success Action Program (ASAP) are:
1) to increase minority enrollment,
2) to increase the representation of minority students, and
3) to expose students to the fields of architecture, design and construction.
CADC-ASAP will foster a culture of learning and knowledge sharing through a four-step academic program which features mentoring and coaching techniques. This program promotes the visibility of minorities and females in design and construction learning environments in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.
The purpose of the CADC-ASAP is to engage participation of CADC faculty, staff and students in college-wide mentoring and community outreach programs. Community outreach and collaborative learning will be used as catalyses for the success of CADC-ASAP.
Students
Selected high school students will be mentored and coached by professional architects, contractors and designers. The high school students, beginning in the 9th grade, will attend ASAP each year during the summer until completion of the program during their 12th grade year. The intent is for the high school students to be admitted to AU with with preparedness needed to successfully matriculate through a CADC curriculum. The students will be seleceted based on academic performance, financial need and their interest in fields of architecture, design and construction.
Mentors/Coaches
The mentors/coaches will provide their students with feedback and inspiration. They will give different kinds of feedback as the situation demands, such as positive feedback to reinforce behavior and constructive feedback to change behavior.
Brochure for ASAP program | Application for ASAP programStructured Approach:
ASAP has four action steps -
Academics, Student focus groups, Analysis, and Practice-- which engage mentoring and coaching strategies towards academic success for minority students interested in fields of architecture, desighn and construction.
Step One: Academic Action
CADC-Academic Action is designed to bridge the gap between high school and college by providing high school students with tools needed in order to succeed and graduate in architecture, design or construction programs at Auburn University. This program will occur during the summer as an intensive two-week academic enrichment experience for high school students beginning in the 9th grade. For one week, participants will take three academic sessions (calculus, physics, and AutoCAD Lab), and for the final week they will attend the CADC summer camps which focus on architecture, design and construction fields.
Architecture Camp places specific focus on enrolling minority students in Alabama's Black Belt communities and surrounding areas. The program is a week-long workshop that begins with basic design concepts and ends with an architectural design project. Each day will be filled with hands-on exercises, technical demonstrations and professional guest speakers. Throughout their stay on campus, they will be supervised by Auburn University staff and CADC mentors.
Auburn Industrial Design's
DesignWorkshop is a unique program for creative young women and men who are interested in a professional career in industrial or graphic design. The
DesignWorkshop is a week-long program that begins with basic design training and quickly progresses through advanced Industrial Design concepts. Each day is filled with practical, hands-on design activities, technical demonstrations, and in-depth instruction. Participants will work in dedicated studio spaces throughout the week, with access to photo, computer, wood and plastic fabrication labs.
Construction Camp places specific focus on enrolling minorities and females interested in professional careers in construction. The program is a week-long workshop that begins with basic construction concepts and ends with a construction project. Students in the construction camp will initially learn how to choose the sustainable technologies and building techniques that best suit the homeowner's goals and budget, as well as the site, design, and climate of the house, and integrate these factors into a whole house system.
Camp participants live in air-conditioned residence halls on the Auburn University campus and dine in campus cafeterias. In addition to their time in studio and class, students will enjoy campus life and participate in socail and recreational activiites.
Step Two: Student Action
The groups of mentors/coaches and their students will meet once a week for discussion and progress reports. The participants will share success stories and obstacles they've encountered during the week, and the mentors/coaches will answer questions pertaining to selected topics for that session. The format of this focus group will allow students to obtain feedback using these structured group sessions. Responses to preset questions as well as an indication of the extent of support for different opinions and views within the group will be documented.
Special Events will be open to the public and create a unique environment with highly regarded professionals speaking in an informal, approachable setting. Many of the speakers will be professional architects, designers or contractors, and hearing them speak about the importance of understanding their field of interest and other topics will inspire students and help them understand what career paths are available. The special events will culminate each year with a wrap-up which will provide the opportunity for mentors/coaches and their proteges to speak publicly about the impact of the program.
Step Three: Analysis Action
Students will have one-on-one access to inspiring professional architects, designers and contractors. Feeback from these professionals will be monitored for the success of the CADC-ASAP.
To monitor ASAP, mentor/coaches will submit a short report of each focus group meeting. This process will provide vital information on the success of the program as well as details on the groups' activities and discussion topics. This analysis will add an element of prestige to mentoring.
Step Four: Practice Action
CADC-Practice Action will produce a supplemental curriculum for pre-college and undergraduate students which cultivates a health-safety-welfare education and includes the voices of leading architects, designers and contractors. This curriculum features "Practicing for the Architecture Licensure: The Coaching Methods of Norma Sklarek" (The PAL Project) which provides tuition scholarships for minority students to be "coached" for the architecture licensing exam through a series of design scenarios.
Brochure for ASAP program | Application for ASAP program
