Vision Quest: A Program of Discovery for Exploratory Students

Dominican University of California offers a special program, Vision Quest, to entering first-time University students who have not chosen a major or who have chosen a major but would like to explore all possibilities. Dominican believes that these exploratory students are interested in many things, are thoughtful in making decisions, are aware that making life decisions requires research and time, and that they are enthusiastic about broadening their horizons as they enter the University. There are a few majors that require decisions upon entrance, such as Nursing and Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy, but even those can be entered later in their university career if that is what the student decides. With most majors there is plenty of time to explore disciplines, meet faculty, research careers, and chart an academic course.

Vision Quest derives its name from the Native American ritual in which young people take time to seek who they are and open themselves up to discovering what they are to do in the world. The Vision Quest Program at Dominican provides a curriculum that allows students to explore academic and career options. Students in the Vision Quest Program work with the same academic advisor and are connected to campus resources such as diverse faculty and Career and Internship Services. The Vision Quest Seminar provides exploration and identification of personal values, interests, and skills; academic acclimatization; and academic and leadership skill development. The Vision Quest program is offered during the Fall semester of a student’s first year at Dominican.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

Articulate personal and social values. Assessment to be used: “About Me” section on e-Portfolio and presentation.
Evaluate the compatibility of academic programs with the student’s values, interests, and abilities. Assessment to be used: written reflection on ‘Majors and Minors in Minutes’ and on Informational Interview conducted with two professionals (at least one faculty instructor/academic advisor and at least on professional in desired profession or approved upper class student studying in the field).
Synthesize information across selected disciplines at Dominican to acquire a more clear perspective of the world and their place within in. Assessment to be used: course discussions reflect on in-class and out-of-class experiences and shown in “Dominican Experience Reflection” on e-Portfolio.