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Peer-led program aims to enhance student learning experience

Posted on Friday, January 26, 2024

Students receive tutoring at library

Junior Jorge Fragoso, who has served as a Supplemental Instruction leader in Accounting for three semesters, takes pride in lending his expertise to help his peers achieve academic success.

“I love serving in this program and seeing how it benefits the participants,” he said. “It is a valuable resource on campus.”

Supplemental Instruction was developed out of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973 and is utilized at more than 3,500 institutions.

LaGrange started with four SI courses in Fall 2022 and has since increased to nine SI courses in Spring 2024.

“The goal is to increase student persistence and retention to graduation,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “While not every student utilizes SI, over the last several semesters, data indicates that SI attendance improves student performance in the classroom, anywhere from a single grade step (B- to a B) to a full letter grade (B to an A).”

The current list of classes that have an SI component include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, General Biology I, General Biology II, Principles of Economics, College Algebra (2 sections), Anatomy & Physiology and Intro to Statistics.

PACE Director Steve Kenner, who serves as the SI supervisor, said the program is implemented in academic courses that have a high rate of D-F-W grades.

“It integrates ‘what to learn’ with ‘how to learn,’ he said. “SI consists of regularly scheduled sessions—voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions driven by students' needs. These sessions are facilitated by trained peer leaders who utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction in small groups.”

Kenner said the program focuses on identifying difficult classes rather than high-risk students.

“We are developing a model of student support that will improve learning, increase retention rates and academic preparedness of students,” he said. “Students who attend SI sessions discover appropriate applications of learning strategies—note taking, problem solving, and test preparation—as they review difficult course content.”

The leaders, who serve vital roles in SI, must meet a specific set of qualifications, according to Kenner.

“They are students who have demonstrated competence in the course and have great facilitation skills,” he said. “As an SI Leader, they are required to attend all class sessions, model good student behavior, take notes, read all assigned material, conduct two one-hour SI sessions each week, develop a relationship with the faculty member whose course they are taking, and promote active processing of material. To be selected as a leader, students must be nominated by their professor, complete an online application and participate in an interview process with the SI Supervisor.”

Sophomore Zentrina Choice said working in the SI program has given her valuable experience that will help her as a future teacher.

“In my position, I work on planning sessions, being organized with scheduling and using time management to have effective one-hour sessions,” she said. “I also tap into my creative side since we use different learning strategies and activities for the students. This part is beneficial to keeping students engaged and making SI sessions unique.”

Kenner said the program has already been making a positive impact based on data from the previous semester.

“During the Fall semester of 2023, we demonstrated academic growth and development from the students who participated in our SI sessions. According to our data from the five SI courses we offered, the average GPA for the SI attendees was higher than the non-SI attendees.

For more information on Supplemental Instruction, email PACE@kongtiao11.com or visit the PACE office on the second floor of Lewis Library.

 

Campus Notes

Faculty and staff meet with legislatorsUndergraduates pose with state legislator

  • Earlier this month, Political Science Professor John Tures, the Rev. Ashley Jenkins and Political Science students Maebh Fyfe '25 and Samuel Whitt '27 went to the Georgia Capitol for the “Day at the Capitol” event hosted by the Georgia Independent College Association. The college, along with 12 other GICA institutions, answered questions from several legislators, including Rep. Vance Smith and Rep. and LC alum Karlton Howard ’73.Business students to work with Goodwill 
  • Accountancy students have been undergoing training to participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program through Goodwill Southern Rivers. They will serve community members needing assistance with filing taxes.
  • The Writing Center is available for students to use in the Moshell Tutoring Lab at Lewis Library. Although appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. Students can meet with a peer writing coach in PACE (Panther Academic Center for Excellence) on the second floor of Lewis Library. Appointments can be made on the center’s booking page. To schedule sessions outside of regular operating hours, contact Director of Writing Dr. Justin Thurman at jthurman@kongtiao11.com.
  • Political Science major Katie Gonzalez ’26 began a five-month internship in Senator Raphael Warnock’s office last week.
  • The Lamar Dodd Art Center will host receptions for “Technē Reflected” and "A Place Apart: Photographs by John Lawrence" on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. The featured artists are Film and Media Arts Assistant Professor Yson DeBlois, Assistant Registrar Forrest DeBlois, Art & Design Assistant Professor Robby Toles and retired Art Professor John Lawrence.                                                                           

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Film Professionals Panel

Tuesday, Jan. 30

11 a.m., Beason Recital Hall, West Side

  • Film and Media Arts will host a discussion on independent film production and exhibition with international award-winning filmmaker Feike Santbergen and crew from his film “Nobody Want to be Here, Nobody Want to Leave,” currently in production in LaGrange.

MLK Speaker: LaGrange Mayor Willie Edmondson

Mayor to be featured speaker at event

Tuesday, Jan. 30

11 a.m., Bailey Room, Smith Hall

  • The Political Science Department invites students to hear LaGrange Mayor Willie Edmondson give a presentation regarding politics and how to work together across party lines.

LaGrange Theatre Students Study Away in Ireland

Tuesday, Jan. 30

11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library

  • Ten Theatre students traveled with Professor Kim Barber Knoll to Ireland in January to research Irish culture, language and history for the upcoming play “Dancing at Lughnasa” by Irish playwright Brian Friel. Aria Mabry, Aubrey Helton, Florinda Galbreath and Isabella Rapoza will share their experience and what they learned.

Safety Council Campus Update

Tuesday, Jan. 30

11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room, Turner Hall

  • The Safety Council will present updates from the campus safety survey, introduce key staff, and share updates on the work of the council.

St. Olaf Choir concert

Thursday, Feb. 1

7:30 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

  • The St. Olaf Choir is the premier a cappella choir in the United States. For over a century, the choir has set a standard of choral excellence and remained at the forefront of choral artistry.

 

Video of the Week

3D Journeys “Portugal and the Age of Discovery” with Dr. Joe Cafaro

Retired Professor of History Dr. Joe Cafaro delivers the first of three 3D Journeys lectures for 2024. With expert authority and humor, Dr. Cafaro covers the early voyages of Portuguese explorers and their search for a new trade route to India in “Portugal and the Age of Discovery.”

 

February Faculty and Staff Birthdays

3-Stacy Ortiz, Communications and Marketing

4-Jeff Lukken, Social Sciences and Servant Scholars

6-Carla Esposito, Enrollment Management and Student Experience

7-Susan Mansour, Campus Auxiliary Services

11-Jamie Coen, Lewis Library

13-Terlynn Olds, Executive Leadership (Vice President for Athletics and Recreation)

21-Steve Kenner, PACE

21-Donald Livingston, Education

24-Ashley Jenkins, Enrollment Management and Student Experience (Chaplain’s Office)

 

Sports

Men’s Basketball

Boys team plays against Belhaven

The Panthers won against the Huntingdon Hawks 100-96 on Saturday, Jan. 20. They also faced Belhaven this past Wednesday and won 73-70. The team will travel to Tennessee to face Maryville on Friday, Feb. 2.

Freshman receives fifth conference honor

Freshman Samuel Moss earned his fifth CCS Rookie of the Week award. This season, he has scored a career-high 33 points.

Women’s Basketball

Womens team competes against Belhaven

LaGrange crushed Huntingdon 101-50 on Saturday, Jan. 20. They also played the Blazers of Belhaven and won 64-56 on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The team will play Wesleyan at home on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Wesleyan, 5:30 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Category: Academics, Students

Keywords: Education, Tutoring

Last updated: 01/26/2024