Great opportunities!!

So, I'm having some pretty good experiences here at BYU.

(1) One of my jobs is as a "research assistant" (technical title) at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Recently I was told I have just been made the head graduate evaluator. The CTL is involved in hundreds of design projects (products and consultations with faculty) for BYU with the hope of improving instruction and learning. Each of these products and consultations need to be evaluated. This involves surveying students and faculty and reporting on the results. So, I am in charge of all the evaluations that take place. I will have an undergrad team under me whom I can use to assist me in these evaluations. Pretty overwhelming but such a great opportunity, especially since I'm just taking an introductory evaluation class as part of my program. So, now I'm able to put all this theory into practice. In addition, I have been tasked with the responsibility of re-designing the evaluation process of the CTL in order to make it more effective. I've had two meetings with some of the "big" guys in the CTL and so far, it is going well. They like my ideas. :) It is going to be a process though.

(2) The President's Leadership Council (PLC) is a group of BYU Alumni who do a lot to build BYU in various ways. I don't know too much about them, but they are going to give a project over a million dollars over the next few years (I'm not sure how to explain it). Each department had to send in a proposal for how the money should be used on a proposed project. Five would then be selected to give presentations. The School of Education (and specifically the Instructional Psychology and Technology Dept) was chosen as one of the five. Two students from my department were chosen to do the presentation to the PLC - I am one of them! :) So, this is taking place on October 17...we've been meeting almost every day to put the presentation together. Yesterday we did our first rehearsal in front of an audience and from today we're going to be meeting everyday in order to practice. I have to learn my part of the "speech" off by heart. Hopefully it will go well. I just think it will be an awesome experience!!!