'Coffee with your Prof'
Lerner College professors connect with freshmen over coffee
1:11 p.m., Nov. 21, 2014--Professors in the University of Delaware’s Department of Business Administration have started a new “Coffee with your Prof” program, which helps professors in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics plan informal meetings with freshman students for coffee and conversation.
This program is designed to provide freshmen with an opportunity to cultivate a student-faculty relationship in a more casual setting.
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A variety of faculty members from the Lerner College are now participating in the program, meeting with dozens of students this semester. These faculty include Anuradha Sivaraman, Frank Bailor, Mark Goldfus, Louis Moffa Jr., William Sullivan and John Osoinach.
Sivaraman, who spearheaded the creation of “Coffee with your Prof” at UD, said the program is an extension of the meetings professors have been arranging with their students for years, with a new environment that can lead to a more engaging dynamic.
“I can see that students feel free to talk about issues that they would not if you were sitting in an office,” said Sivaraman. “They feel more connected to the campus, to the University and to the professor. They feel like professors are human beings, too.”
“It instills a confidence that I think freshman need,” she continued. “Someone who wants to connect with you one on one, not because it’s their job but because they’re truly interested in what you’re doing.”
Bailor, who himself has met with over a dozen students this semester as part of the program, agrees.
“We’re all part of the same team,” he said. “We want to make sure you have a successful career here.”
Conversations can range from the personal to the professional, covering topics like dorm life, accessing campus resources and choosing a major.
“We discuss everything under the sun,” said Sivaraman. “The students are able to share a lot about what they feel about UD and their courses. It’s a great avenue to get to know students one-on-one.”
“They certainly come prepared to talk,” Moffa added. “I hope they take from the program that professors are approachable and are here to help them, mentoring them and giving them guidance along the way.”
Sivaraman said that she hopes to continue the “Coffee with your Prof” program in the future.
“Given an opportunity, students want to connect,” she said. “Providing them with the opportunity seems to make a lot of difference in how they interact, both in the classroom and outside the classroom, both with their professors and their peers.”
Student feedback
Students who participated in the “Coffee with your Prof” program said that meeting one-on-one with their professors helped them to feel more connected to UD and the Lerner College.
Freshman Bridget Norton said her discussion with Bailor helped her to narrow down her fields of interest and gave her a realistic look into the business world.
“As an undeclared business major I will take guidance anywhere I can get it, but receiving it from such an experienced professional meant a lot to me,” said Norton. “Professor Bailor gave me real insight and opinions that you cannot get from sources besides those who have witnessed it themselves.”
“I really enjoyed meeting with Professor Bailor,” she continued. “I would strongly recommend the program to other students. Knowing your professors is very important, so for students who might be on the shier side this is a wonderful and comfortable way to get your name out there and let them know your thoughts and opinions.”
Freshmen Dana Friedrich, Kyle Grant and Alina Libowitz said they would also recommend the program to their peers.
“Coffee with Professor Bailor demonstrated to me the ease of connecting with professors and the positive effects it has,” said Friedrich.
“It felt like I was not talking to my professor at the time, just an older, wiser person giving advice,” Grant added. “I definitely recommend this to students because some students are intimidated by their professors. With this program students can open up slowly.”
Libowitz said that she appreciated hearing advice on her international business major and potential job prospects in the future.
Another participant in the program, freshman Danielle Geoffroy, said, “I feel like Professor Moffa and I got to connect on a more personal level, which is extremely important when forming connections and networking in the business world.”
“Our discussion definitely reiterated the importance of getting involved with the campus and programs that UD offers,” she continued. “I feel very good about the Lerner College and feel that teachers like Professor Moffa can help provide me with the knowledge and resources I need to ensure my success in whatever career I choose to pursue in the future.”
Article by Sunny Rosen
Photo by Evan Krape