Intelligence is the ability to grasp the essence of things;
it is the window of the soul.

The acquisition of a solid, deep and broad intellectual formation is essential to .the mission of Mater Ecclesiae. Academics at Mater Ecclesiae are designed to help students learn to think with structure, clarity, logical rigor, precision, and depth; acquire problem-solving skills; and master the art of communication, developing the ability to express themselves clearly and elegantly.

 Our intellectual formation focuses on four main functions: to analyze, synthesize, relate and judge. This allows students to develop not just an informed intelligence, but a formed intelligence, able to discover the unity and meaning of information; capable of establishing relations and a proper hierarchy of concepts, events and persons; and eager to examine the nature and foundation of ideas and theories.To encourage students to attain the maximum development of their intellectual qualities, personalized attention is pivotal for students to develop their potential in all facets of their lives. Mater Ecclesiae provides numerous academic advisement services to support students in their integral formation, especially in their academic growth.

Academic Advising Service

Mater Ecclesiae College assesses students on an ongoing basis throughout the semester, operating on the conviction that individual attention to academic needs is the most effective tool to help students succeed. Academic advisors help each student foster greater self-knowledge; set academic goals to develop their intellectual capacities, areas of interest and aptitudes; review progress and propose concrete solutions to overcoming specific challenges or special learning needs. Four academic advisors serve the College, one for each class year of the program.Each student has an individual intellectual consultation with her advisor every fifteen days, but can also go to her at any time for personal academic needs or academic policy concerns.

Academic advisement is a means to be attentive to the student’s needs, motivate, and help by encouraging study, solving difficulties, expanding horizons, and providing direction in homework and research. The main areas of focus are habits of intellectual work (convictions, interest, and scope of horizons); methodology of study (classes, study periods, memory, note-taking, disciplined reflection); fulfilling personal potential (time management, intellectual capacity, dedication); assimilation of subject matter; profiting from the various means of formation (languages, academic presentations, debates, academic contests); oral and written expression; and any difficulties or particular issues.

Formation of Intellectual Skills

• Critical thinking skills, analysis, application, synthesis, relation, judgment, memory, reflection, oral and written expression

Formation of Study Habits

• Foster lifelong learning skills and habits

• Time management

• Topics include: note taking, textbook reading, conducting library research, essay writing and test-taking strategies

Means to broaden culture awareness and appreciation

Complementary Readings in Literature serve to discover the richness of different eras and cultures. Students read and analyze works of classical literature for the purpose of acquiring a more liberal foundation in the humanities and to improve their own vocabulary, style and understanding of culture and history. The analysis of the classical works emphasizes an active reflection on the part of the student in order to understand the author’s message and to respond with a critical mind to the values it presents. Each student should complete a classical literary work per semester and submit a reading journal and written evaluation to her academic advisor. Works may include:

• The Dialogues, The Republic, Phaedo Plato

• David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

• The Splendor of the Church, Henri De Lubac

• Sophie’s World, J. Gardner

• Dialogue of the Carmelites, Bernanos

• Orthodoxy, GK Chesterton

• Pensées, Pascal

• King Lear, Shakespeare

• The Fall of the House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum Edgar Allen Poe

Peer Tutoring and Mentoring

Individual and group tutorial sessions are available for students who have specific learning needs in a particular subject area. Students can request these services through their academic advisors, and are then matched with student tutors who have an excellent grasp of the subject and have been recommended by faculty members. Faculty members themselves are always readily available to advise students and provide additional support when needed.Mentors are available upon request for students seeking to develop their written and oral communication skills. Faculty provides critiques of presentations, practice sessions and development of communication techniques. They also assist students with writing assignments, organizing and developing ideas, writing for a specific audience, evaluating evidence, writing critical analyses, reports, and research papers, and learning how to proofread and edit.

Language Labs

Language laboratories add an important dimension to the study of a foreign language. Coordinated by the Modern Languages faculty, tape recording and audio-visual materials are available for students and faculty to help develop proficiency in speaking and listening skills.

Instructional Facilities

The mission of the library is to provide access to library and information resources required for Mater Ecclesiae’s academic mission and educational program. Library and computer facilities are available to students and faculty seven days a week ensuring availability and accessibility of resources. A full-time librarian is available to provide individual research assistance, Monday through Friday.

Information Technology Support

Thirty PC workstations are available for student use in two computer laboratories, maintaining a 3 to one student to computer ratio. Three additional computers are dedicated for publications and design use. The entire campus is connected to a network system. This allows internet/email access and on-line library catalogue searching.

Information Technology Services offers user-support services to students and faculty, personal training seminars, and system administration.

Instructional Support Equipment

Teleconference systems and services are available for student conferences. Additional equipment includes slide projectors, VCR’s, televisions, tape recorders, recording system, fax services, and an audio-visual projection system.