Reading proposals for independent concentrations and studies, the senior independent concentrators' research projects, and seniors’ applications to present at the Theories in Action symposium is inspiring and invigorating. Through this reading – and through the CRC's ongoing work – I witness interdisciplinary, creative thinking daily. At the CRC, we are at the frontier, at the grassroots, of the Open Curriculum today.

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"Healing Justice" was a particularly ubiquitous theme at Theories in Action 2019 (TiA) and in proposals for independent concentrations and studies, as was "Design Thinking," narrative and storytelling.  

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This year the CRC staffers and I considered the importance of storytelling as a form of advising - advising not as a transactional endeavor, but rather as critical moments of dialogue, vulnerability, care, and liberation. Liberation, you may ask?  It's changing questions of what one should do to deeply considering what the creative possibilities are. Pushing the boundaries of disciplinary knowledge, and discovering what matters to each and every one of us, is a difficult journey indeed. It often feels lonely, this process of being independent; so, we relish in the opportunities to be independent together.

 

We filmed some of our program information sessions, shared pieces of advice about the ups and downs of making choices in our "Dear CRCers:" column, created a new leavetakers blog with written and video stories, and welcomed first-years into our space during monthly First-Year Fridays. The senior independent concentrators met monthly, and some of them designed an electronic portfolio with their academic work and personal reflections. At the end of the year, staffers shared their thoughts with me about the CRC's Diversity & Inclusion Plan, commenting on where to focus next.

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Supporting engagement with the Open Curriculum requires the enthusiasm and commitment of a community of professors, educators, and peers. There are so many individuals I would like to acknowledge; I feel the need to especially thank the people who volunteered their time to read applications, or advise, mentor, and share their wisdom:  DUG student leaders and faculty sponsors; MAPS junior and senior mentors, and the faculty presenters at the MAPS workshops; students who spoke at a leavetaking or FIRe event, or who contributed to one of our blogs; Theories in Action Roundtable facilitators; student members of our IC and IS selection committees; and faculty advisors of independent concentrations and studies.

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The summer between academic years affords a welcome chance to pause and take stock of our efforts. The work of advising "for all" never ends; how gratifying it is to review all that we have done together.

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Respectfully submitted,