Peer writing tutors introduce critical career skills to first-year CBE students
During the Fall 2016 semester, Lehigh University’s TRAC (Technology, Research, and Communication) Writing Fellows provided added support in written and oral communication skills to students enrolled in BUS 001/002. The TRAC Fellows, who have been an integral part of BUS 001/002 since 2013, were introduced to students during the first Friday recitation. Prior to the submission of each writing assignment, students met with a TRAC Fellow to review style, flow, content, and grammar. In addition to serving as peer mentors, TRAC Fellows also work closely with the teaching professors to help students meet expectations for each assignment. This has provided a unique networking opportunity to TRAC Fellows, as they are collaborating with professors who are not their classroom instructors.
Of the 30 students who served as TRAC Fellows in BUS 001/002, 13 are a part of our CBE community. Other CBE TRAC Fellows worked with classes in the College of Arts and Sciences and P.C. Rossin College of Engineering. An experienced Fellow serves as the Lead TRAC Fellow - assigning Fellows to students, interacting with teaching faculty, and managing any issues that come up. The Lead Fellow for BUS 001/002 was Gian Zurlini ’18, a Management major and 2017 Tauck Scholar.
“As Lead Fellow, I was tasked with overseeing 29 TRAC Fellows who I then assigned to a total of 440 students. At first, these numbers seemed daunting, but I soon found myself maintaining a full course load and managing the BUS001 TRAC Program. In this position I further developed my ability to effectively communicate with large groups both in person and through written communication. Additionally, with the help of the CBE and Fellows, I cultivated the creativity and patience necessary to solve problems that lacked immediate answers, while enhancing my ability to work with faculty in a professional setting.”
CBE Students have served as Lead TRAC Fellows for business classes, imparting more than just academic assistance to their peers. Jim Santanasto, Director of the Rauch Center for Business Communications and the Coordinator of BUS 001 feels the TRAC program offers students a unique educational opportunity.
“TRAC Fellows work with both the professors and students to help writing in the business school reach a professional level while students are still in college. The Fellows who are CBE students also become de factor advisors to the students because they have taken the course and written the assignments.”
In the spring semester, students enrolled in BUS 005 will again work with TRAC Fellows on their writing processes. Megan Rich ’18, an Accounting major, 2016 Tauck scholar, and Vice President of the Women in Business Club, will serve as Lead Fellow.
Students are nominated by faculty and staff to apply to become a TRAC Fellow. The competitive process includes examination of writing samples and an interview with current Fellows. Accepted students start as a TRAC Fellow the follow semester while also enrolled in a 4 credit pedagogical seminar. The CBE is proud of the 27 CBE students who are currently serving as TRAC Fellows in classes across the University and as leaders within the program.