Landmark College

Not to be confused with Landmark School or Landmark Worldwide.
Landmark College
Motto Nosce te ipsum
Motto in English
Know Thyself
Type Private
Established 1985
President Peter Eden
Academic staff
80
Administrative staff
80
Students 500
Location Putney, Vermont, U.S.
42°58′36″N 72°30′43″W / 42.97667°N 72.51194°W / 42.97667; -72.51194Coordinates: 42°58′36″N 72°30′43″W / 42.97667°N 72.51194°W / 42.97667; -72.51194
Campus Rural
Colors Blue, Gold
Mascot Finn, the Shark
Affiliations New England Association of Schools & Colleges
Website www.landmark.edu

Landmark College is a private college located in Putney, Vermont, which offers two and four-year programs in the liberal arts and in professional disciplines. Landmark College is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and provides to students a progressive and comprehensive overall college experience. Established in 1985, Landmark College was the first institution of higher learning to pioneer college-level studies for students with dyslexia. Today it serves students who have a diagnosed learning disability (such as dyslexia), or other learning difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Landmark College offers degrees at the associate and bachelor’s levels, as well as summer programs and an online/hybrid graduate certificate in universal design and assistive technology for educators and professionals. The current college president is Peter Eden, Ph.D., who started at Landmark College in 2011.

Educational approach

Applicants are required to document a condition that impairs learning, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or ASD. All students receive personal, directed assistance in their studies. The student to faculty ratio of 6:1 is small by postsecondary standards.[1] Classroom faculty employ universal design principles, integrated assistive technology elements, individualized attention, and multi-modal teaching strategies in their courses. Advisors meet frequently with students to review and guide their progress. The College offers a wide selection of support services, including the Drake Center for Academic Support, Academic Coaching, Counseling, and Health Services. The College provides opportunities for internships and independent studies with faculty and staff.

Students

Students come from across the United States and from around the world to attend Landmark College. The average age is 20 years, and about 97% of students live on campus. The male-to-female student ratio is about 3:1, which reflects the higher number of males who are diagnosed with conditions that affect learning.[2] Housing options range from suite living to traditional residence halls. All rooms are designed as doubles or singles. Residential halls are equipped with wireless Internet, cable television, laundry facilities, and common lounge space, as well as full-time residential staff. Suite living includes kitchen facilities.

Study abroad

The International Education Office offers study abroad programs in locations including the Caribbean, Chile, Costa Rica, England, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Ghana, and Italy. Faculty design and teach experiential courses that fulfill Landmark College core requirements. Courses are designed so students can apply their learning to real-life situations while immersed in another culture. Faculty members offer academic support for students as advisors, mentors, and coaches throughout the programs abroad. These programs are open to Landmark College students who have successfully completed one semester of credit-level coursework.

Short-term programs

High School Program

The three-week-long High School Program is intended to assist high school students entering their Junior or Senior year who learn differently develop self-understanding and self-advocacy skills. Faculty who are experienced at working with students who learn differently provide coursework, academic support and experiential activities.

High School Program--Social Pragmatics Track

The social pragmatics track of the High School Program is designed for high school students with strong academic achievement who experience social challenges. In a coordinated program, faculty and staff work with students to understand themselves, make meaningful social connections, and meet conventional behavior expectations in a college setting.

Transitions Program

The Transition to College Program is designed to give high school graduates who learn differently a boost of skills and experience to aid their transition to college. Features include lecture-style classes, study skills and writing instruction, and individual advising.

Summer Credit Courses & J-Term

Students enrolled at Landmark College can earn credits in the summer and during January. Summer session courses are also open to qualified visiting students from other colleges and universities.

Student leadership

Landmark College provides student leadership opportunities as part of its education program. The Student Government Association (SGA) engages in policy activities, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society completes a service project each year, and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) plans events for the community. Students also serve in leadership jobs supporting their peers as Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders.

Student activities

Student Affairs delivers programs, activities, clubs and special events for students throughout the year. Impressions literary magazine, The Independent student newspaper, and WLMC student internet radio station are among the print and audio media. Student groups include Hillel, the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Spirituality Series, and the Women’s Center. The Landmark College Play, Ski & Snowboard Club, Film Club, Fitness Club, Anime and Manga Club, Gaming League, Chess Club and organized activities in rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and martial arts are among the extracurricular activities.

Athletics and physical education

The Landmark College Athletic Department provides club, intramural, and intercollegiate sports and fitness activities for students. Physical education courses include yoga, stress reduction and relaxation, T’ai Chi Chuan, introduction to practical equine management, beginning horseback riding lessons, kickboxing/self-defense, karate/self-defense, introduction to rock climbing, exercise and cognition, fencing, walking for health, lacrosse skills, softball skills, basketball skills, volleyball skills, baseball skills, and tennis skills.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is used at Landmark College to facilitate academic skill development and to enable students to fully access course materials. According to the Assistive Technology Act of 1988, assistive technology refers to "any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Examples of assistive technology include text reader software, such as Kurzweil 3000, and speech-to-text software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking. A text reader enables users to hear digital text spoken aloud by a computer-synthesized voice. Books, articles, and course work are often available in digital format that can be read audibly by a text reader. Speech-to-text software enables users to speak words aloud, which are then transcribed to text by the computer. Assistive technology innovations like these are used to increase student access to learning. Landmark College sponsors a student laptop program, enabling students to buy laptops from the College preloaded with assistive software. These laptops are fully supported by Landmark College's Information Technology Services (ITS) department. The College is piloting efforts to integrate tablet-based learning platforms into its programs and learning experiences.

Landmark College Institute for Research and Training (LCIRT)

LCIRT is Landmark College's research, training, and dissemination arm. Established in 2001, LCIRT is founded on more than two decades of educational experience serving students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and ASD at Landmark College. LCIRT employs a team of researchers and trainers who create professional development programs for educators and other professionals. LCIRT offers research-based online training, webinars, professional visit days, and conferences on topics germane to the higher education of students who learn differently. Topics include understanding LD, ADHD, and ASD; serving diverse students at the postsecondary level; motivating and engaging students; managing executive function difficulties; using assistive technology; and employing principles and applications of universal design. Started in 1994, the Summer Institute is a three-day conference focusing on the education of learners with differences. The first LD Symposium, entitled "Diverse Technologies for Diverse Minds" was a one-day event held in 2013.

References

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