[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Menu Bar” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F7F7F5″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” sticky_position=”top” motion_trigger_start=”top” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” background__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” background_color__sticky=”#F3F3F1″ background_enable_color__sticky=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” max_width=”2560px” custom_padding=”1.25vw||1.25vw||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”130″ menu_style=”centered” active_link_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_bg_color=”#cba052″ dropdown_menu_line_color=”#d7d2cb” dropdown_menu_text_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_active_link_color=”#313436″ mobile_menu_bg_color=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_text_color=”#2f2f2f” menu_icon_color=”#25282a” mobile_menu_bg_color_tablet=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_phone=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” menu_text_color=”#313436″ menu_font_size=”1.3em” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” menu_font_size_tablet=”2vw” menu_font_size_phone=”3vw” menu_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” mobile_menu_bg_color__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” menu_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” menu_text_color__hover=”#711421″][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Article Title Section” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#EAE9E5″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2023\/01\/element-bottom-left-checker-light-goldBottom-left@2x.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”19px||0px||false|false” bottom_divider_height=”40px” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ width=”100%” max_width=”1253px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”9px|2vw||0vw|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|2vw||6vw|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||||false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0.25vw|1vw|1vw|1vw|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7vw||7vw|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”1.1em” link_font=”||||on|||#2f2f2f|” link_text_color=”#2f2f2f” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”0px||5px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#d7d2cb” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Feature\u00a0 |\u00a0 Long Read<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”62px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_color=”#862633″ header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” header_font_size_tablet=”6vw” header_font_size_phone=”7vw” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”4vw” header_2_font_size_phone=”5.6vw” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ custom_padding=”0.25vw|1vw|0px|1vw|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7vw||7vw|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/02\/MICHAEL-MIDDLETON-2024.png” alt=”Ramapo College’s Provost, Michael Middleton, with a book” title_text=”MICHAEL-MIDDLETON-2024″ show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Top Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2021\/12\/Circlebottom-right_cut-of-circle_gold-red@2x.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_right” custom_padding=”50px||50px||true|false” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Bev<\/span>\u00a0McCarron<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> |\u00a0 Winter 2024<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In his first year of college, Michael Middleton\u2019s academic journey took an unexpected turn: Although he intended to major in chemistry at Harvard University, he discovered after just one class that it wasn\u2019t his passion. Instead, while working in Harvard\u2019s School of Education library as a work-study student, he found himself so intrigued by the education books that he was reading them. Middleton became one of the first students to graduate in 1987 from Harvard\u2019s newly established teaching certification program for undergraduates.<\/p>\n He accepted a math teacher job at an alternative high school in the Boston area for students who struggled in traditional educational settings and discovered he loved the challenge of working with and motivating students, many of whom were on the verge of leaving school.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Now, as Ramapo College\u2019s new Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Growth, Middleton says that early teaching experience set the trajectory for his career as a researcher, scholar, higher education faculty and administrator focused on how to engage students and what environmental factors motivate them to learn.<\/p>\n \u201cFinding that spark, understanding what causes kids to learn and grow, has been the story of my career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Michael-Middleton-grabbing-a-book.png” alt=”Michael Middleton grabbing a book from a book shelf” title_text=”Michael-Middleton-grabbing-a-book” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”225.2px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Before joining Ramapo in the spring of 2023, Middleton held administrative and faculty positions at institutions such as Hunter College, the University of Massachusetts Boston and the University of New Hampshire. What drew him to Ramapo was the job title \u2013 provost and vice president for teaching, learning and growth. He said he saw it as a departure from the traditional provost role, one that is typically less focused on the student experience.<\/p>\n Middletown is renowned for his scholarly work in student motivation and achievement, having received over $3.7 million in funding from the National Science Foundation and co-authored a book on this topic. He has been tasked with guiding faculty and students as Ramapo implements a new strategic plan aimed at producing ethical, empathetic, inclusive, and responsible leaders and citizens. One of the key findings of his early research emphasized the importance of building meaningful student-teacher relationships as a critical factor in student success. At Ramapo, he has made it a priority to visit one or two classes each week to get a sense of the culture and understand how faculty and students interact.<\/p>\n In a recent music senior seminar, he listened to students describe their capstone projects and how they related to their professional aspirations. He watched a history professor lead a class through materials from the American History Text Book Project, some of which are more than 100 years old, so they could better understand how views of history change over time. He took note of the diversity in the classes; this year nearly half of the first-year students are first-generation college students. Middleton was inspired by seeing faculty work with students from all backgrounds with a sensitivity to their unique abilities and cultures.<\/p>\n \u201cMany places say they are student-centered, but I think the teacher-student relationships at this college are what I call the secret sauce. That\u2019s our magic ingredient \u2013 the bond between students and teachers that is deep and enduring and based on learning and mentoring. That\u2019s where the magic happens on our campus,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ramapo\u2019s four pillars of academic excellence – interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding – resonate deeply with Middleton. He said they are the foundation for what he calls \u201cthe Ramapo experience,\u201d a concept that emerged from a faculty-led committee\u2019s recent work developing a comprehensive academic plan.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Full-Width quote section” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F3F3F1″ width=”100%” max_width=”2560px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald||||||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”43px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_5_font_size=”21px” header_6_font=”Oswald||||||||” header_6_font_size=”15px” custom_padding=”2vw|3vw|2vw|6vw|true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”4vw|6vw|2vw||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10vw||10vw|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”43px” text_font_size_phone=”32px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cFinding that spark, understanding what causes kids to learn and grow, has been the story of my career.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Michael-Middleton-2.29.24-14_edit.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”13vw||13vw||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”27vw||27vw||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”27vw||27vw||true|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Bottom Text” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”50px||50px||true|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ramapo experience is centered on student exploration. It allows students to engage with different ideas and disciplines and understand what it means to think in different ways. They\u2019ll get to dive deeply into one of our majors or self-design a major, building the knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen discipline,\u201d he said. The plan envisions students in every discipline completing a capstone experience in their final year where they will identify real-world problems, apply their skills and knowledge to find solutions and then publicly present those findings.<\/p>\n \u201cOur aspiration is that we\u2019d also like every student to have an international or intercultural experience during their time here as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nFinding Your Spark.<\/h2>\n
How Ramapo\u2019s Provost is Changing the Way Students Learn<\/b><\/h1>\n
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\u2014 Michael Middleton<\/h5>\n
Provost | Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Growth<\/h6>\n