4D Symposium Afternoon Session 1

Cultivating Character in DU Students: 2024-25 4D Infusion Grant Projects, Session 2

Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, “‘The Ethical Leadership Symposium’”: Cultivating Character through Undergraduate Student Engagement with Ethical Public Leaders”

Menglu Gao, “Community Engagement and Fieldwork Component in ENGL 4424 ‘Plant Life, Environment, and Colonialism’”

Sarah S. Hurtado, “Future Faculty Learning Community for Thinking About the Role of Faculty in Addressing Campus Sexual Violence”

Megan Chambers, “Strength of Character: Using CliftonStrengths to Help Graduate Students Develop Career Curiosity and Resilience”

Building a Culture of Care Between Professors and Students

Ileya Grosman - Academic Counselor, L.E.P. | Libbie Mitchell - Academic Counselor, L.E.P. | Alison Tweedie - Academic Counselor, L.E.P.

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty, Community Members

As LEP Academic Counselors, we wear many hats—coach, advisor, mentor, co-problem-solver, and, above all, listener. We witness how students navigate academics and how professor-student relationships impact learning and connection, motivation, and wellbeing. This interactive session explores The Five Good Things as a framework for nurturing growth-fostering relationships with students. We will share strategies and student stories to illustrate the impact of growth-fostering relationships. Designed for professors and staff, this session invites collaborative learning on building positive relationships that enhance student engagement and success. Join us to explore how meaningful connections can transform the student experience.

S'more Character: A tasty bite of First Ascent @ KMC

Nathan Page – Assistant Director of the Outdoor Experience and Programs | Taylor Meneley, Assisstant Director, Family Experience | 4D Peer Mentors

Track: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Staff, Faculty, Community Members

Join us for an immersive experience into the 4D Signature Experience, First Ascent, where we explore its holistic impact on first-year students at the University of Denver. Through the cherished tradition of evening S’mores, participants will engage in the reflective practices that shape character development and personal growth. This session will also trace the evolution of First Ascent as it enters its fourth year, highlighting its expanding influence and future direction. Come ready to connect, learn, and savor the traditions that make First Ascent a transformative milestone for DU students.

4D Peer Mentor in a 4D World: Sense-Making Your Mentoring Experience

Allie Tookmanian – Assistant Director, New Student Experience | 4D Peer Mentors

Track: Undergraduate Students, Staff, Faculty

100 newly selected 4D Peer Mentors take a mentorship course every Spring Quarter where NSFP introduces our mentorship framework, prompt students to create their own mentorship philosophy, and contextualize their learning in transition theory for incoming students. While they are learning how to be a mentor to new students, we are helping them make sense of their 4D Experience through mentorship, reflection, and experiences. Students helping us teach the class as well as students currently enrolled in it will reflect on their learning and how their sense-making of the 4D Experience has changed through this course.