SSI is a free summer program that blends asynchronous and synchronous elements highlighting the transition from the 1st year to the 2nd year at Lafayette and college in general. Components focus on academic, career, social, and personal topics and milestones for you to engage with as you make the most of your Lafayette experience.
Registration closed June 1. Email deanofadvising@lafayette.edu for more information.
2020 Sophomore Summer Institute schedule, assignments, and meeting links (subject to change; any changes will be announced via email)
| Date | Session | Host(s) | Pre-reading/pre-activity | Zoom link |
| Week of June 15: Pre-Institute survey and reflective exercise | Write a reflective email to yourself (set “Schedule Send” in Gmail for January 1, 2021): What went well in your first year? What didn’t go as planned? What would you like to improve for your second year? How will you prepare? What goals would you like to accomplish? | Office of Advising | Survey and reflective exercise instructions will be emailed to all registrants | N/A |
| Monday, June 15 at 1:00pm EST | Overcoming the Sophomore Slump with a Growth Mindset | Dr. Laura Syvertson and Dr. Larissa Atkins (Counseling Center) | Watch: Growth Mindset video
Read: NY Times article |
Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Monday, June 22 at 1:00pm EST | Road to Resilience | Dr. Asmita Pendse and Dr. Devin Hussong (Counseling Center) | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior | |
| Wednesday, June 24 at 1:00pm EST | Health Professions Advising session for sophomores | Prof. Nancy Waters (Biology) and Simona Glaus (Advising) | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior | |
| Friday, June 26 at 1:00pm EST | Save our Summer: Growing with Gateway | Alana Albus, Mark Choquette, and Laura Wallace (Gateway Career Center) | Pre-assignment: Webinar with Don Asher (details emailed to registrants on 6/19) | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Monday, June 29 at 1:00pm EST | The Art and Science of Deciding on a Major | Dr. Chris Selena, Sophomore Class Dean (Advising) | Clear, J. (2020). Mental Models: How to Train Your Brain to Think in New Ways | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Wednesday, July 1 at 1:00pm EST | Finding your niche, following your passion, and how Student Involvement can help | Riley Godshall and Vanessa Pearson (Campus Life) | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior | |
| Monday, July 6 at 1:00pm EST | Major exploration II – Social Sciences and Pre-Law Advising | Prof. David Stifel (Economics) and Maureen Walz (Gateway Career Center) | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior | |
| Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00pm EST | Major exploration III – Natural Sciences and Interdisciplinary Opportunities | Prof. Larry Malinconico (Geology) and Prof. Nancy Waters (Biology) | Pre-reading: Review the Tech Clinic website: https://techclinic.lafayette.edu/ | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Friday, July 10 at 1:00pm EST | Career development session for sophomores – Knowing Your Top 5 Strengths | Alana Albus, Mark Choquette, and Laura Wallace (Gateway Career Center) | Take the https://high5test.com/ assessment before July 10th session. Jot down your results (a list of their top 5 strengths), or take a screenshot of them after completing assessment | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Monday, July 13 at 1:00pm EST | Leadership Development for Sophomore Year – Part 1 (Parts 1 & 2 are a combo and open to the first 25 to sign up) | Jodie Frey, Associate Dean of Students (Campus Life) | TBD | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Wednesday, July 15 at 1:00pm EST | Leadership Development for Sophomore Year – Part 2 (Parts 1 & 2 are a combo and open to the first 25 to sign up) | Jodie Frey, Associate Dean of Students (Campus Life) | TBD | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Friday, July 17 at 1:00pm EST | Major exploration IV – Humanities | Prof. Chris Phillips (English) and Abby Schaffer, College Transition Specialist (Advising) | TBD | Will be emailed at least 24 hours prior |
| Week of July 20 | Post-Institute survey and Certificate of Completion | Office of Advising | Survey link will be emailed to all registrants | N/A |