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Q & A with Laura Bigaouette


School of Business Graduate Assistant, Christina Surrusco sat down with Laura Bigaouette, Program Director, to learn about all the programs she manages ncluding the APPEAL adult accelerated undergraduate programs, the Post Baccalaureate in Prehealth, Summer and Winter Sessions, and the noncredit initiatives.  These programs offer targetted programming for various audiences ranging from high school students, adult, life long learners and post college professionals. 


CS: What draws students to take APPEAL Adult Accelerated Undergraduate degrees?
LB:For the APPEAL Program a big draw is the flexibility we provide our students. These adult students work on completing their bachelor’s degree in the evening so that they can have work and life balance. We also offer rolling admissions so students can start classes six times a year – 2 sessions in the spring, summer and fall.

CS: What are some of the reasons students do a Post Bac in Prehealth course of study at Manhattanville College?
LB: The Post Bac Program is primarily designed to assist with students who need to complete necessary pre-requisite core classes or seeking academic enhancement in the area of science and other course offerings. We want to help our students position and prepare for career options in the health and medical field, such as the application process to medical school. With an extraordinary science faculty, our professors are very flexible regarding the coursework that post-bac students need.  Post Bacc students also get the value-added benefit of the advice and expertise that our science faculty provides.

 How are our programs and classes unique in comparison to surrounding colleges and programs?
One of the biggest areas of our differentiation is that we provide a high level of personalized service and support to all of our students. I constantly hear from students that they value the personal support that we provide through the whole admissions process and enrollment process.

Once they are in the program, students receive guidance on setting up their academic programs and advisement is available throughout students’ programs. I advise students during their registration, speak with them regarding career goals and the ties to their courses, and they are always welcome to meet with me throughout the year.

Our faculty are also unique in the sense that they are working practitioners which allow students to gain practical and relevant knowledge in each class. With a hand-picked faculty, we are deliberate in who we hire and want to make sure they know and understand our student population. Our faculty come to the classroom prepared with real life experience that they bring to our students.

How does the curriculum meet your student’s needs?
Our professors build the curriculum based on elements from their personal experience into assignments and projects that they feel is beneficial for a practical pedagogy. This fits the needs of the students while also giving them practical case work.   The program gives students the theory behind business and behavioral science as well as that practical experience that our faculty brings, coupled with the formalized coursework.

Lasting comments…
There’s a lot of energy in our program and our students show constant enthusiasm for the work they are doing. They get to know each other throughout the program and we form a sense of family here. Classes are small, interactive, relevant and personal. For busy adult students looking to achieve that next level in their professional career, you can’t beat that combination!

Learn more about APPEAL  (Accelerated Professional Programs for Evening Adult Learners

Learn more about the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health

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