Before the freshmen arrived on campus, APAs trained with RAs and the Academic Resource Center to learn leadership skills and how to build community on their floors, said sophomore Shelley McDonald, the APA for Humbert Hall. The APAs also facilitate a smoother academic transition from the high school curriculum to the college curriculum, said Cara Brumby, residence life coordinator for Hogate and Humbert halls. Brumby, in her first year at DePauw, coordinates the APA program in addition to other duties for academic services. Junior Keryn Vickers, APA for Anderson Hall, has already fielded questions as specific as how to understand a syllabus and as broad as what academic direction a student might take. APAs have already been busy - especially with registration.
Freshman feel really overwhelmed with figuring out group requirements and picking classes.
It was just a year ago that McDonald dealt with the same issues. I wanted to help students with the same problems I dealt with a year ago. I think people can relate better to their peers. Personal experience also prompted sophomore Shawn Odle to apply. There are things I wish I could do over again.