Nova University: The Future of Higher Education

By Wren Lee

Step into Nova University, a premier undergraduate institution designed to improve the student experience and inspire innovation. Nova is dedicated to personal growth, community engagement, global citizenship, and acad

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Degree Press
• Release date: Aug 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637305829

Book preview

Nova University

The Future of Higher Education

Wren Lee

New Degree Press

Copyright © 2021 Wren Lee

All rights reserved.

Nova University

The Future of Higher Education

ISBN 978-1-63730-462-4 Paperback

978-1-63730-581-2 Kindle Ebook

978-1-63730-582-9 Ebook

Contents

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Author’s Note

Nova Brochure

Chapter 1

Welcome to Nova

Chapter 2

Life Design Class

Chapter 3

Rhetoric and Analysis

Chapter 4

Anti-Ism Class

Chapter 5

Civic Participation and Democracy

Chapter 6

It’s Who You Are

Chapter 7

Shining Stars

Acknowledgments

Author’s Note

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In May 2021, I graduated from college, ending my sixteen years of education. During those last few weeks before graduation, I thought about how my educational journey shaped me to be the person I am today. The biggest contributor was college, the people I met, and the lessons I learned there.

Reflecting on my journey, I noticed opportunities for the student experience to improve. As a designer, I wanted to iterate on my ideas, but that is a long and expensive process that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish during my time at college. Thus, I turned to writing and created Nova University, a fictional four-year college in the Bay Area. With the medium of fiction, I’m able to explore unique solutions that would take time, money, and effort to put in place. I’m able to make innovative ideas become reality in my story.

Through this book, you explore Nova and its hands-on approach to education through the lens of three first-year students: Millie, Hassan, and Jona. Each interacts with different elements of the Nova student experience. You experience their story through various mediums: Tweets, diary entries, and more.

Nova is an alternative college experience more focused on the student and less on the stakeholders or bureaucracy. I wanted the student to be the center of the university because they are the ones most impacted by their time at college.

During my three years at Southern Methodist University, I realized that my school and others like it were stuck in antiquated ways of conducting education. I was disappointed by their lack of change and wanted something better for future generations. Fueled by my frustration, I researched the various movements and changes happening on campuses across the globe. I reviewed innovations in residential housing spheres, academic curriculums, and more. In crafting Nova, I learned more about how universities are run overall. While Nova is based on this research, it is also its own system. Additionally, I created the college experience I wanted in this book, using my personal experiences to fuel innovation and creativity.

First, you’ll be introduced to Nova through an in-depth prospective student brochure. You’ll learn about Nova’s academic structures and student experiences. Because academics is a huge part of college, most of my changes are implemented on this level. After learning about Nova through the brochure, you’ll dive into college application and acceptance season with Millie, Hassan, and Jona. Once the school year starts in the fall, you’ll follow the trio through their first year at Nova one class at a time.

I want my readers to finish this book with a desire to impact change. Colleges have been stuck in their ways for a long time, and now, it is the perfect time for a metamorphosis. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up doors to new possibilities, and I think it is time to change the status quo.

While you read this book, consider how you perceive the changes and how the students perceive the changes. Although fictional, the student journeys are based on my experiences and observations of others. Consider how you can impact change through your institutions, past or present. I hope you’re inspired by the students and their stories.

I am so excited to share this book with you. Please enjoy!

Nova Brochure

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About Nova University

Nova University is a premier undergraduate institution valued for its unique academic approach and welcoming atmosphere. Unlike most universities, Nova focuses solely on the undergraduate experience and cultivates well-rounded individuals.

Nova is located in San Francisco, California. Close to Silicon Valley, Nova is surrounded by companies big and small, giving students direct access to internships and jobs. Being close to the Bay, students participate in countless outdoor activities thanks to the year-round comfortable weather. Additionally, San Francisco is a hub of diversity, allowing students to connect with their identities both in and out of the classroom.

Founded in 2030, Nova University prides itself on its four core values: personal growth, community engagement, global citizenship, and academic rigor. Since day one, these four values have been Nova’s guiding principles.

Values

Personal Growth

Nova cares deeply about personal growth and wants its students to leave college with a better knowledge of themselves and others. Students develop their understanding of themselves through their academic curriculum and out-of-class activities such as internships, jobs, and organizations. Students also learn about people different from them through their academic curriculum and service activities.

Community Engagement

In San Francisco, Nova offers students opportunities to stay engaged in the local community. Students are encouraged to join nonprofits for causes they are passionate about. Community engagement also involves on-campus activities. Nova offers many student-led clubs and organizations across a variety of interests including athletics, arts, and academics.

Global Citizenship

Students are taught to be active citizens. They learn about the origins and applications of democracy. Students get involved with voting and volunteering early on in their academic careers. Students often study abroad to immerse themselves in cultures other than their own.

Academic Rigor

Academics are a core component of the Nova experience. Thus, professors and staff encourage students to push their limits and challenge themselves through a rigorous academic curriculum. Nova’s academic structure is unique to its learning philosophy. Learn more in the Academics section.

Quick Facts

Mascot: Galaxy

Colors: Blue, Purple, White

Founded: 2030

Location: San Francisco, CA

Current President: Vivian Vivi Flores

Terms to Know

Nova has a unique vocabulary. Below are definitions of terms commonly used at Nova.

•Why Statement—A component of the application process that defines a student’s interest in Nova

•Ground Crew (GC) —A student’s group of mentors from a wide range of disciplines

•Block—An eighteen-day-long intensive class

•Term—Four blocks, equivalent to a semester at other schools

•Nebula Stage—The initial stage in the Three Stage System, focused on discovery

•Star Proposal—Documentation to transition from Nebula to Star Stage

•Star Stage—The second stage, focused on depth

•Supernova Proposal—Documentation to transition from Star to Supernova Stage

•Supernova Stage—The final stage, focused on creation

•Launch—A student’s final project before graduation

•Skills List—A list of abilities a student has mastered during their time at Nova

•Skills Report—The most recent quantitative and qualitative data on a student’s abilities in accordance with their Skills List

•Purpose—A student’s interdisciplinary academic interest written as a How Might We question

•Lead Professor (LP)—A faculty member in charge of teaching and assisting a First Year Crew

•First Year Crew (FiYe Crew)—Twenty students that live and work together throughout their first year

•Launchpad—A mixed-use building on campus

•Star System—A group of academic disciplines such as liberal arts or social science

Admissions

Nova University has a rigorous admissions process. With a 5 percent acceptance rate, an average of 14,400 students apply and only 720 students are admitted each year.

The admissions process involves a holistic look at a student’s achievements.

In an initial application, students submit:

•A transcript of all academic institutions the student has attended, including but not limited to high school and community college

•An activities list of all extracurricular activities with leadership roles and time commitment

–Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to clubs, sports (school-sponsored or not), part-time or full-time jobs, study abroad programs, gap year programs, and family care. If a student commits a significant amount of time to an activity, it can be added to the activity list.

•Two letters of recommendation

–Family members can be recommenders under specific circumstances if no other recommenders are available.

•A Why Statement describing why you are ready for college and why you want to attend Nova University

•A portfolio of projects you’ve worked on including art projects, essays, etc.

Standardized testing scores are not required.

Applications are due the last week of December. The admissions committee reviews these applications before sending off 20 percent of candidates (around 2,880 students) to the faculty for review. All faculty members read a handful of applications before selecting their preferred picks based on if they embody the Nova spirit of community, collaboration, and leadership. Those selected are then interviewed by Nova alumni and staff members. The final decision is made by the admissions committee based on the application, interview, and impressions from the application reviewers.

Students will be notified of the decision by the end of April.

Transfers

Transfer students are considered first years and undergo the same cohort process as students emerging from high school or a gap year. However, because of Nova’s academic schedule, transfers may graduate earlier than their non-transfer peers.

Financial Aid

Nova’s small size is to its benefit. Each student gets a specialized financial aid package based on merit and need. Many students are fully funded thanks to Nova’s generous donors. Nova also partners with many companies in the Bay Area to provide fellowships for emerging talent. You are automatically considered for these fellowships upon admission. You will receive your financial aid package two weeks after your admission letter. Nova also offers loans to those who need them.

Outside of tuition and room and board, students also incur costs from purchasing items through the general stores and restaurants on campus. These costs are lower than other on-campus stores because products are purchased in bulk.

On and off campus jobs are available through LinkedIn and Handshake. Many students get jobs at the student-run businesses or assistantships with the Star Systems.

Academics

Block System

Nova works on a block system, different than the semester or quarter system. The academic year is broken up into three terms (fall, spring, and summer). The fall and spring terms both have four blocks. The summer block has two.

Each block is eighteen weekdays long with one day in between each block for a break. During each block, students take only one class for three hours a day either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the professor’s schedule. Students are not allowed to take more than one class per block.

If students miss too many classes, they can opt-out of the block and continue their education with the next block. Students are not penalized for falling behind.

The block system encourages students to dive deep into the content. They learn quickly and efficiently. Students can audit or retake blocks if they need to refresh before moving onto harder coursework.

Blocks are also kept small with only twenty students per block. These small class sizes allow students to get to know one another better and foster a stronger academic community.

Competency-Based Education

Competency-Based Education (CBE) goes beyond the traditional letter system and grades students’ achievements based on skills and growth. Students leave Nova with a set of marketable Skills. Some of these Set Skills are predetermined by Nova’s Office of Academic Rigor such as Leadership, Problem Solving, and Verbal Communication. The rest are decided upon by students. As a part of the student’s Star Proposal (see Three Stage System for more information), students list out Skills necessary for their Purpose. Skills can change with the approval of their Ground Crew (GC) but often