This book represents the crowdsourced wisdom, reflections, failures, and triumphs of those educators exploring ungrading in their courses, at their institutions, and within their communities of practice. It contains contributions of all sizes, genres, and experience. Whatever is honest and authentic about doing ungrading. Hopefully, dear reader, you have come to this book with a deep interest in the ungrading phenomenon, especially as it relates to teaching during a global pandemic. More importantly, and regardless of any pandemic, it is assumed that the reading audience of this book is invested in a pedagogy of empathy, an approach that trusts students first and foremost. When the investment involves our students, nothing else compares.

DREAMS Week (Dedication, Responsibility, Engagement, Academics, Motivation, and Success) is a zero week orientation program required of all new students and transfer students with less than 15 successful credit hours. The program began as part of Title V grant activities in 2021. The goal of the program is for students to feel comfortable in their environment, know how to access resources, be introduced to faculty and staff, and be engaged in student life activities while developing academic skills to be successful in college. Each activity falls under one of the target areas represented by the DREAMS acronym. The program covers use of technology, cultural diversity, financial literacy, team building, note taking and study skills, academic and organizational skills, career planning, clubs and organizations, campus tours, and non-academic support services. Student life activities are held throughout the days to help students become acclimated to their campus and engage with other students, faculty, and staff. The program utilizes student mentors to help new students identify people on their campus that can be a resource as they start college. Howard College history and tradition is also covered so that students can begin to understand and relate to being a Hawk. Students are asked to bring their laptop with them but are provided with needed supplies throughout the program. Students are required to stay throughout the day and lunch is provided. The program concludes with a campus "Block Party" that includes all students, faculty, and staff. The Block Party provides lunch, outdoor student activities, music, and more!

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Affairs

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Lauren Barber at lbarber@howardcollege.edu or 432-264-5024

The Good Life Center is a combination of a food pantry as well as clothing closet designed to be accessible by all students at Howard College. The purpose of this center is to provide resources for students who may be struggling or have a need. Students can gain access to food items if they have a need and they do not have the financial resources to buy themselves snacks or groceries. There is also a full closet with professional and casual clothes. Students needing clothes for professional interviews can come in and pick out an outfit. If a student needs basic clothing items such as winter jackets, jeans, etc. they can get whatever is needed. There is not a base requirement to access this center other than being a Howard College Student. The goal is to help students achieve academic success and help remove barriers to them achieving that success.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Life Department

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Melissa Strain at mstrain@howardcollege.edu or 432-264-5200

The founders of sociology in the United States wanted to make a difference. A central aim of the sociologists of the Chicago school was to use sociological knowledge to achieve social reform. A related aim of sociologists like Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett and others since was to use sociological knowledge to understand and alleviate gender, racial, and class inequality.

The LEADS Program: Learn, Experience, Achieve Defined Success, is a multi-faceted first year experience (FYE) program that is designed to create a foundation and culture of learning and engagement for students at Howard College. The program is implemented through the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. The program focuses on 1) acquisition and enhancement of academic skills, 2) career exploration and plan development, and 3) peer, campus, and community engagement. LEADS incorporates a mandatory zero week orientation as well as a student success course which meets graduation requirements for the college. Career clusters are created in alliance with the college's Pathways for Success model and have no more than 15 students in each group. Students participate in career clusters with their peers with similar career interests.

The program is designed as a holistic first year experience that will engage students in their college campus, their communities, and their academic experiences. It fosters student commitment to learning and to actively participating in their academic and career planning so that their experiences have meaning and purpose as they move through the educational journey. Each student will work both individually as well as in group settings in all segments of the program.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 454

HOW TO ENROLL: Students enrolled during registration process and discussion with advisor

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Student Affairs - Student Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Cindy Smith at csmith@howardcollege.edu or 432-264-5034

Social Problems: Continuity and Change is a realistic but motivating look at the many issues that are facing our society today. As this book’s subtitle, Continuity and Change, implies, social problems are persistent, but they have also improved in the past and can be improved in the present and future, provided that our nation has the wisdom and will to address them.