Take Your Professor to Lunch

The “Take Your Professor to Lunch” program in its second year at JMU. This program is jointly sponsored by the Provost’s office, Student Government Association, and General Education. It is an opportunity for students in large classes to establish an educational relationship outside of the classroom and it is based on evidence that shows students who have a professional relationship with a faculty member outside the classroom will be more successful in their collegiate experience.

How it works…20 large classes will be identified and professors contacted about participating in the program. An SGA member will then come to the class, explain the program to students, and select via a drawing seven students to attend a free lunch at Madison Grill with their professor.

What students said…

“I thought it was a great experience especially because it was my first semester here. It made me really feel like I belonged here.”

“In a large class I got to know the teacher and a few other students. It made the class more interesting and more personal and thus~ I believe I got a better grade.”

“Having a chance to talk to my Professor over lunch~ and learn more about him~ made him more interesting. In turn~ it made going to class and paying attention more interesting.”

 “I liked it because it was a large lecture class~ and now he knew me by name. I got more interested in it and made sure I went to every class.”

“It made me more comfortable in class and also gave me more people to talk to in the class.”

 

 What faculty said…

“I saw the students more as individuals… It was much more personal…I have a real appreciation for the special people they really are.”

 “It just re-emphasized how much else is going on in their lives besides my course.”

 “Keep up the program! I think it is a great idea!”

Informational Powerpoint