First Year Experience Cohort Concludes Semester with Poster Session
Students enrolled in the First Year Experience course held their capstone project presentations during an event in May. The occasion served as an opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned throughout the course.
Each presentation described a healthcare related problem that has impacted medically under-resourced communities both locally and nationally. Some of the topics included: obesity, children’s mental health disorders, HIV/AIDS, food deserts, and food insecurity.
“A key component of this course was to create an environment where undergraduate students could learn about ongoing programming of established community service programs not only implemented by CDU faculty in South LA but by both public and private sector organizations and other non-profits,” said course instructor, Professor Cynthia Davis. Co-instructors included Danielle Campbell and Bailey Smith, Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
Students had the opportunity to visit some of the local community service programs including on-site visits to CDU Kedren Street Medicine Program, CDU Community Garden program, MudTown Farms, Compton Community Garden, and the Biddy Mason Community Wellness Center.
The students also participated in a Dolls of Hope workshop.
Michaela Johnson, a student in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program, particularly enjoyed the community garden visits and the general knowledge she gained from the class.
“I’m glad to be at a school that’s community-focused and that genuinely cares about our surroundings,” said Johnson. “They provide us with numerous opportunities to engage with the community in meaningful ways, which makes me feel better knowing that there are people in communities like this that care. It makes me want to do more in my community.”
First Year Experience (CDU 101) is a course offered each semester that supports new CDU undergraduate students as they begin their college journey.