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2024 Design for Student Success Faculty Learning Community

Overview

This information is for the 2024 cohort*. 

Faculty are invited to apply to participate during spring semester and fall semester 2024 in the Designing for Student Success Faculty Learning Community (FLC). This faculty learning community is intended for faculty who want to explore ways to support the success of all students in their courses. In particular, we encourage participation from faculty who teach courses that have a high impact on retention (e.g. lower division courses, courses that are prerequisites for majors, or those that serve as critical junctures in undergraduate degree completion), though faculty teaching any courses are welcome to apply.

Faculty in the FLC will consider different ways of defining student success and explore elements of course design, communication approaches, and teaching strategies that are shown to increase student success. In particular, we will focus on instructional practices that increase success for first-generation college students, commuter students, low-income students.

This work is directly aligned with goals for student retention outlined in the University’s Student Enrollment and Retention Plan (SERP).

*The application process will be closed on Sunday, 11:59 PM, December 10th, 2023.

Activities of the Faculty Learning Community

In pursuit of the goals described, faculty will participate in the Faculty Learning Community as a cohort, completing the following activities:

  • Attend seven mandatory online cohort meetings during spring semester 2024.  Meetings will introduce a variety of tools and strategies for design and intervention related to student learning and success. Meetings will either take place on Mondays or Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 PM Online (via Zoom). We will ask which date(s) work best for you in the application. We are considering the option of meeting weekly (day and time TBD) for 75 minutes each week, if the cohort finds it to be more convenient.
  • Develop a plan for incorporating student success strategies in one or more Fall 2024 classes. Submit a post-implementation reflection at the end of Fall 2024.

Outcomes of the Faculty Learning Community

After participating in this Learning Community, faculty will be able to do the following:

  • Identify common barriers to success for students in groups that have historically been underserved in higher education.
  • Describe elements of course design that support positive student outcomes.
  • Identify communication practices that can support positive student outcomes.
  • Describe ways to build rich relationships with students, even in large courses.
  • Identify ways to proactively intervene to increase student retention in their courses.
  • Identify resources on campus that can provide assistance to struggling students.
  • Share ideas about course design and implementation with peers.

What do past faculty participants say?

  • I appreciated the structure of each meeting that gave us a specific idea to focus on, and also allowed us to talk to each other . . . [and] hear from other amazing teachers.
  • Viewing and discussing the disaggregated data early in the FLC was transformative for me. Looking at not only my own data, but the data of instructors that I view as exceptional and then realizing we still had gaps in success made me realize just how much more work there is to be done.
  • The group was very thoughtful and aware that this was not going to be a one-size-fits-all approach. It gave us space to ideate.
  • This FLC changed the way that I think of teaching and my role as an educator.

Eligibility

All Boise State instructors are eligible to apply to participate, including adjunct faculty, lecturers, tenure-track faculty, and Professional Staff with teaching responsibilities.

Financial Support

Each participant in the Faculty Learning Community will receive a stipend of $500, paid as a supplemental salary ($250 for one semester of planning and $250 for one semester of implementation).

Application Process and Deadline

*The application process will be closed on Sunday, 11:59 PM, December 10th, 2023. This is a one year FLC (same cohort does both Spring and Fall) and recruits in the fall for a spring cohort. Those that are interested are encouraged to check in the fall semester and apply to be in a new cohort at that time.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected, in part, on the strength and thoughtfulness of answers to the questions on the application form. However, our selection of faculty will also be guided by our desire to assemble a Faculty Learning Community with members from a variety of disciplines and colleges, as well as members of various faculty rank (professor, assistant professor, associate professor, adjunct, etc.).

Sponsorship

This program grew out of conversations in the campus-wide Student Success and Retention Committee. This program is currently being supported by staff from the Center for Teaching and Learning. Funding for the program is provided by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Questions?

Please direct any questions to Sarah Dalrymple, Faculty Associate, Center for Teaching and Learning (sarahdalrymple@boisestate.edu).