Learning to Lead

Learning CommunitiesUniversity of Cincinnati

FYE & Learning Communities

Dr. Greg Metz Assistant Director

Katie Gill Peer Leader Captain

Cal Roberts Peer Leader Captain

November 2007 Transitions Conference

LC’s at UC

12-20 first year

students co-enrolled in

two or more

thematically linked

classes

UC = 100+ LC’s Fall

2007 serving approx.

2000 FY students

59 PEER LED LC’s

serve approx. 1200

students in 5 Colleges

Peer Led LC’s at UC

Structure

Students meet twice/week in

classroom setting led by PL

(in addition to class meetings)

PL meeting is non-credit PF grade

Required in some colleges

Suggested in others

Students can earn certificate –

for participating in activities &

writing reflection on FYE

Peer Led LC’s at UC

Expansion

05-06 = 12 = 1 college = 200

06-07 = 43 = 4 colleges = 765

07-08 = 59 =5 colleges = 1200

LC PL Role – Basics of Role

Connector, Learning Coach, Group

Facilitator, Mentor, Activity Planner

15-20 students per LC- LC’s have themes

LC meets twice/week and is part of

student’s schedule

PL required to attend training, weekly small

group meeting, hold office hour, plan

activities, mentor, submit weekly report

Paid $700 per 10 week quarter (expectation

= 8-10 hours per week)

Goals of UC LC’s

Student development - personal, social,

academic

Connections – students, professors, colleges,

co-curricular programs, services, etc.

Mentor/mentee relationships

Experiences relative to UC FYE targeted

learning areas

– Intellectual and self-management skills

– University engagement

– Professional and civic responsibility

– Integrative learning.

Recruiting PL’s

Mass mailing to

eligible students

Use existing LC’s

Outreach to Faculty

and Colleges

Student Newspaper

article

Tent cards in Student

Center

On-line application – references and

resume required

Interviews by staff/student teams

Selection based on

Communication attributes

Leadership attributes

Capacity to commit given other roles

Fit with theme.

Selecting PL’s

Evaluating LC’s

PL Weekly Reports

PL Weekly Meetings

LC Visits

PL Office Hours

Communication from Stakeholders

Quarterly LC Student Surveys

Quarterly PL Surveys

Analysis of enrollment & participation

effects

Learnings from

Fall Q 06-07 Surveys of LC Students

I have developed friendships and closer connections to other

students Average = 4.37

1-3 = 11% 4= 28% 5= 61%

The LC has helped make transition to UC less stressful

Average = 3.84

1-3 = 29% 4= 37% 5= 35%%

I am more familiar with UC services, policies, procedures / clubs and

organizations Average = 3.73

1-3 = 28% 4. 45% 5. 26%

I would recommend a Peer Led Learning Community to other

students Average = 3.82

1-3 = 31% 4. 30% 5. 39%

More Learnings

Fall Q 06-07 Surveys of LC Students

I have developed a close relationship with my Peer Leader

Average = 3.51

1-3 = 41% 4= 35% 5= 24%

The LC has helped me improve my learning habits

Average = 3.28

1-3 = 51% 4. 33% 5. 16%

The LC has helped make communicating with instructor a more

comfortable experience Average = 3.27

1-3 = 50% 4. 31% 5. 19%

The Great Beginnings Certificate has offered useful experiences

Average = 3.26

1-3 = 56% 4. 19% 5. 25%

Some 2007-2008

LC Leadership Team Goals

• Enhance feedback to and support of PL’s

– Regular written weekly report feedback

– Enhancement of Tool Kit

– Ongoing modeling and training via weekly PL meeting

• Enhance PL capacities to build relationships

• Stress on mentoring skills and phases at training

• Use of Peer Mentor Companion

LC 07-08 Leadership Team Goals (2)

Enhance PL Role as

Learning Coach

(Training, Tool Kit,

Reflection)

Enhance PL Comfort

and Contact with

Faculty

(Training, Tool Kit,

Reflection)

LC Leadership Team Goals (3)

Disarm and

Enhance Great

Beginnings

Certificate

* Seamlessness

* New Pamphlet

* New Student Reflection

* New forms of

Recognition

LC Leadership Team

Processes & Actions

Develop Vision

Meticulous Training Planning –

* Week in the Life

*The First Day

* Tales from Trenches

* Phases of Mentoring

* Phases of Groups

* Connecting to Faculty

* Networking with Colleges

* Collaborative Planning

LC Leadership Team

Processes & Actions (2)

Modification of Handbook

* Align with Training

* PL Role and Expectations

* Concepts – Student Development, Leadership,

Mentoring, Group Formation (What, Why, How)

* Planning Processes & Suggestions

* Certificate Guidelines, Tactics & Activity

Suggestions

• Peer Mentor Companion

• TOOL KIT Enhancement

LC Leadership Team

Processes & Actions (3)

* Weekly Report Modifications

* Online via Survey Monkey

* Aligned with Roles of Mentor

* Custom Questions each week

* Written feedback to PL’s by PLC’s

* Feedback to Honors students by AD

* Great Beginnings Certificate Modifications

• New Reflection – submitted online

• New Pamphlet

• Seamlessness Tactic

Where Are We/What’s Next?

Ongoing Weekly Report Feedback & PL Support

LC Visits

Winter Quarter Reenrollment in Peer Led LC’s (Goal = 75%)

Analysis of effect of LC participation on retention & grades

Fall Quarter evaluations by students and PL’s

Analysis of Great Beginnings Certificate Completion and

Student Reflections

Tool Kit Enhancement

Training Debrief and Survey Analysis

Planning Retreat between quarters

STOPPING TO SMELL THE ROSES

Questions Anybody?