Innovation Academy Opens a Doorway of Opportunities
October 17th, 2012 by gainesvillechamberInnovation Academy has welcomed 334 freshmen in their inaugural class that will start this spring. The University of Florida program limits students to taking only on-campus courses in the spring and summer in order to decrease the congestion on campus during the fall football season.
“If we just keep adding students during the fall semester, they’re just going to be unhappy because they’re not going to be able to access advisers, parking, courses that they need for their programs,” said Jeff Citty, executive director of the Innovation Academy.
Students who participate in Innovation Academy will have the opportunity to choose from 27 different majors and will also earn a minor in innovation.
“It’s going to be a premier program at the University of Florida…You’re going to get two credentials for the price of one,” said Citty.
Until spring, students have the chance to take “pre-enrollment” discounted online courses this fall. The Fall Connection program allows academy students to choose two courses from a list of 10 ranging courses. About half of the incoming class has enrolled in these classes and another seven students are studying abroad. Otherwise, students have the chance to become more involved on campus, take on a part-time job and/or pursue internships.
According to Citty, academy students will benefit from being among students in a variety of disciplines as part of the program. Now that the program is running, the focus will be placed on recruiting students interested in the opportunities it provides.
To read the full article in the Gainesville Sun, click here.
