CASWELL LEADERSHIP FELLOWS ZAHRA KHAN THINK OUT LOUD: A COMMON READING INITIATIVE

ZAHRA KHAN Verona, WI Keeping up-to-date on publishing world developments, writing short stories, reading, and staying very involved in school organizations Working to complete a B.B.A. in Marketing and a B.A. in English Junior, Class of 2014 Work with publishing companies to transition them from print to digital publishing SMU Press: Student representative, Published in SMU Criteria , Published cover story interview in English dept newsletter, Erudition.

THINK OUT LOUD: A COMMON READING INITIATIVE Goal: To create, modify, and improve new channels of communication between students and our mentors (our professors and faculty). Create an online forum that is open to all SMU students and faculty for inter- disciplinary discussions. I was one of those 1 st year students who worried about being judged by my peers for what I would say. My Caswell Fellowship project aligns with my goals to help my generation be heard. Creating a 100% online publishing press with close to no cost to experiment, I would be giving young writers a chance to be a great asset to society with their writings and ideas.

WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT I would like to find out what gets students involved in thinking outside the classroom, and how that and seeing other POVs effects their leadership skills in the classroom. We can all benefit: teachers, students, parents I really rely upon student and professor involvement alongside donors’ funding of focus groups and administrative expenses associated with the website and spreading the word.

FROM MAY-OCTOBER First Steps: Recruiting volunteer professors, getting the site up, informing Dr. Harold Stanley Next: Creating an advertising campaign, ordering coozies, getting AARO leaders involved Creating a presence on campus and at Night- at-the-Club, motivating interaction on the web forum

INTERACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook

INTERACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter

THE SITE AND LINKS

Flyer & Coozies

GET INVOLVED

WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW Prof Park: Keeps me on track, introduced me to the head of the Common Reading program. Prof Schwartz: My go-to contact for help with English Dept cooperation Results: Some social media activity, 455 views on website, over 50 views of many POVs posted Challenges: Timing, Book Choice, Website Capabilities and format

NEXT STEPS Before Winter Break: Focus groups (students & professors), Working with CUL Book Club and English Dept. staff for spring book choice, advertising campaign for Spring book Spring Semester: Creating the perfect site with SMU IT, Keeping the site active through social media, Toning down the involvement required by students Next Year: Prof. Schwartz, Head of English Dept., will continue the initiative into the Fall.

QUESTIONS? IDEAS?