A word from the Vice Provost, Prabhat Hajela

Head photograph of VP for Undergraduate Education, Prabhat Hajela Rensselaer is deeply committed to its undergraduate programs. Distributed across the five schools, these programs combine intellectual rigor with innovative pedagogical approaches in the classroom and laboratory. We have been at the forefront in developing new paradigms for teaching and learning. This focus on interactive learning, as embodied in the studio classroom model, has integrated technology into the very essence of the delivery of education. It has transformed the traditional passive learning paradigm of information transfer to a more student centered, active learning approach. Rensselaer's academic programs also recognize the importance of formal education in emergent areas that are at the intersection of traditional areas of study. A number of interdisciplinary programs of study are available across the curriculum.

This is an exciting period for undergraduate education at Rensselaer. Building on our stated goals in the Rensselaer Plan to provide an undergraduate experience that surpasses all others, we are moving forward with the implementation of The Undergraduate Plan, a set of bold new initiatives that will greatly expand and enhance opportunities for undergraduates at Rensselaer. Greater involvement of undergraduate students in the Institute's research enterprise, a very significant emphasis on international experiences, and new experiential living and learning opportunities are all part of these exciting additions to our programs.

The Office of Undergraduate Education is responsible for overseeing and building upon our proud tradition. As part of the Provost Office, we work in concert with the five academic schools and the Faculty of Information Technology on all issues pertinent to undergraduate education. The principle areas of concern are student learning, quality of faculty teaching, academic advising, educational research and innovation, undergraduate research, new programs, and curricula review. The reporting units are the Advising and Learning Assistance Center, the Anderson Center for Innovation in Undergraduate Education, Summer Programs, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC units.