Learning Assistant (LA) Program

Overview

The Learning Assistant (LA) Program enables student LAs to support the goals of their faculty mentors through peer-to-peer small group facilitation in the classroom. LAs have skills and training in pedagogy that allow them to reflect on classroom learning, make meaning from that reflection, and provide insight and ideas to work collaboratively with faculty to improve outcomes. In this way the program is uniquely different from traditional classroom support.

Talented students are recruited, preparing them for teaching careers. The transformation of courses involves creating environments in which students can interact with one another, engage in collaborative problem solving, and articulate and defend their ideas. The program provides a resource to help faculty implement and sustain pedagogical change in their classrooms. Please Note: Learning Assistants provide support to classes in all learning modalities including in person and synchronous/asynchronous virtual classrooms.

The Learning Assistant (LA) program is based on the model developed at the University of Colorado - Boulder.

To be a part of the Learning Assistant program, all faculty and students must submit an application. These applications, along with interviews, are used to make optimal matches between student LAs and faculty mentors. Pairings are based on pedagogical needs/plans, personality match, experience, and alignment of goals between the LA and mentor. Decisions and placements are made within the two weeks preceding the start of the semester.

Key Dates for Fall 2021 Program

September 1
Spring applications open

September 1 - November 1
LA-led recruitment events

November 1
Applications close

November 1 - December 1
LA committee interviews new applicants

December 1 - December 23
Tentative spring LA placements

Recruitment Events

If you would like to learn more about the LA Program, please come by one of our recruitment events, hosted by LAs currently in the program.

Friday, October 29, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Zoom

Friday, October 22 - 11:05am-12:05pm
Gosnell 2305

Learning Assistant NEWS

August, 2021 --- Dr. Paul Craig Joins LA Program Committee
Dr. Paul Craig, a professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, has joined the LA Program Committee. We welcome him and look forward to working together to continue to develop this program to the fullest —transforming classroom learning sustaining pedagogical change.

March 2, 2021—Congratulations to our LAs Receiving the Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Awards
Anna Nuenschwander
Nana Aikins
Ashley Martsen
Celia Mercovich
Emalee Wrightstone
 
Congrats also to our LA alumni also receiving this award!
Ashley Tucker
Nadia Gunderson

February, 2021—Daniel Maffia Joins LA Program Committee
Daniel Maffia, senior lecturer in the Department of ASL and Interpreting Education, NTID, has joined the LA Program Committee. Welcome Daniel!

January, 2021—WELCOME to the Spring Cohort of Learning Assistants!
​We are thrilled to have 40 learning assistants in the spring program. Watch for more news as the semester gets underway.

July, 2020—Dr. Andrew Ferrante Joins LA Program Committee
Dr. Andrew Ferrante, a visiting lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy, has joined the LA Program Committee. We welcome him and look forward to working together to continue to develop this program to the fullest  —transforming classroom learning sustaining pedagogical change.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr, Moumita Das for her service on the committee, as she continues to support the LA Program while moving on to help RIT STEM students in other ways.

August, 2019—LA Program on RIT Intersections

LISTEN to the podcast with Dr. Dina Newman, faculty LA mentor and recent graduate and Learning Assistant, Gretchen Horst.

A sample of courses that have been supported by the LA Program is listed below. The list continues to grow.