{"id":19603,"date":"2026-02-12T15:59:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T20:59:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?p=19603"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:59:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T20:59:40","slug":"start-at-eckerd-college-in-january-weve-got-just-the-class-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/start-at-eckerd-college-in-january-weve-got-just-the-class-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Start at Eckerd College in January? We’ve got just the class for you"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”19613″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Seventeen first-year and transfer students got the ‘Autumn Term’ experience in winter through a new course designed to blend Eckerd College’s unique orientation and mid-year enrollment. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22\u00a0<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”news_subhead” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]First-year students at Eckerd College begin their journey with a unique tradition\u2014a three-week <\/span>Autumn Term<\/span><\/a> orientation. The students take one course, get to know their faculty and peer mentors, bond as a class, and because upperclass students haven\u2019t returned yet, they have the campus pretty much to themselves.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]But what about new first-year students who, for whatever reason, prefer to start college in mid-year? Could Eckerd\u2019s signature three-week Winter Term<\/a>, which offers students a chance to study abroad<\/a> or on campus, provide a glidepath?<\/p>\n

Yes.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Eckerd College allowed new first-year students to start in January, alongside transfer students who already had the opportunity. It\u2019s a Winter Term\u2013Autumn Term mix.<\/p>\n

To get the initiative started, Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing Nina Bergbrant<\/a> recently finished teaching a Winter Term course that combined academics and orientation. The course, titled Organizations and Storytelling, attracted 17 students\u201411 first-years and six transfers. All of them were starting mid-year. \u201cAnd I was happy to be the guinea pig for this new course offering,\u201d Bergbrant says with a chuckle.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”32″ top_margin_phone=”32″ column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”19612″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]The course included a Reflective Service Learning project of building new perches for birds being cared for at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Along with coursework, Bergbrant\u2019s students took part in an orientation similar to what Autumn Term students receive. The course also had a 20-hour Reflective Service-Learning component built in, allowing students to learn from and work with two local non-profits: the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary<\/a>, a wildlife rescue service; and Tampa Bay Watch<\/a>, a group dedicated to fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed. Students built perches and helped with cleanup at the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, and they visited Tampa Bay Watch\u2019s Discovery Center, took a cruise on one of the organization\u2019s boats, and took part in a vertical oyster garden workshop.<\/p>\n

To help with expenses, the course received an Intergenerational Learning Grant from the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”2%” bottom_padding=”2%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”top” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”19614″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Students also got to tour the area by boat with Tampa Bay Watch, a local non-profit.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cWhile we were visiting and working with the non-profits, I had students take photos and create designs for social media posts,\u201d Bergbrant says.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cThey had to ask themselves what kind of post can create value to the organization, and who would they reach with the post? I\u2019m going to provide their social media post designs to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary and Tampa Bay Watch so they can utilize them to create social media content.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe course was a fantastic way for the students to not just find their way at Eckerd College, but to have their first academic experience as well,\u201d Bergbrant adds. \u201cThey were able to see how any organization can use storytelling to reach their audience. And they incorporated sustainability and conservation to help connect with the nonprofits we were working with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAllowing students the opportunity to start mid-year opens doors and allows students to come who can\u2019t come in the fall. Maybe they don’t want to wait a whole year.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Michael Llanes didn\u2019t want to wait. A sophomore animal studies student from Riverview, Florida, Michael served as a Chief Marine Science Technician in the U.S. Coast Guard<\/a> for 23 years. His job was to lead Coast Guard responses to disasters from oil spills and chemical releases, to hurricanes. He is a first-year transfer student from College of The Albemarle in North Carolina.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoyed how Professor Bergbrant mixed things into the class\u2014volunteering at Tampa Bay Watch, helping with the seabirds, and getting to know the campus,\u201d Michael says. \u201cIt was really worthwhile. But the hands-on opportunities that she organized for us was the most valuable part of the course for me. Getting people out of their comfort zone, going out into the community and actually helping, and understanding more what the process is, actually seeing and touching it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Makaylah Martinez, a first-year student from Apollo Beach, Florida, says her time on the Tampa Bay Watch boat was transformative. \u201cI got the opportunity to get hands-on experience by recording the data collected from the work they did on our boat ride. Getting the chance to work alongside this amazing boat crew of smart women and see how they help each other and work together.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt motivated me in a way I can\u2019t fully explain. It made me so excited to work in this career field and hopefully someday work alongside Tampa Bay Watch. This class taught by Professor Bergbrant introduced me to more experiences in a month than I\u2019ve gotten in years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The job of finding the right faculty member to teach the College\u2019s first Winter Term orientation course fell to Heather Vincent, Ph.D<\/a>., associate dean of faculty for general education, associate professor of classics and head of the College\u2019s General Education Committee. “Professor Bergbrant has created an orientation course that is designed to help students make a strong academic start at Eckerd College,\u201d she explains. \u201cIn the Winter Term course Organizations and Storytelling, students not only learn about the power of stories for branding, marketing, and creative expression, they also become acquainted with all aspects of the Eckerd experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Autumn Term does for our traditionally matriculating students, Professor Bergbrant’s course does for students who join us mid-year, and that is no small feat. Joining a college between semesters can be a profoundly alienating experience. After all, the year is well underway, and most students have already found their niche–they have met the faculty, joined the clubs, and made their friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be like jumping on a roller coaster that has already gained full speed. I think that Nina Bergbrant has a great deal of empathy for students in that situation and has designed an experience that will help them make the leap. And, on a personal note, what I like most about her course is the way that it brings together such a diverse group of folks; some are traditional-aged students, while others are coming from the workforce; some are transfers, while others are brand new to college. Somehow, they all find common ground, and I think that’s the essence of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vincent says the College hopes to offer the course again next year. \u201cIt would, of course, depend on the number of mid-year matriculating students, and that can be unpredictable,\u201d she adds. \u201cBut what we can say for sure, though, is that we have a course that we would very much like to repeat in future years.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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