Student Learning & Success
If we are to achieve inclusive excellence at SIUE, equity-mindedness will be essential. The practice of equity-mindedness encourages data-driven inquiry into student outcomes, promotes awareness of identity-based inequities as institutional problems, and demands institutional accountability for the success of every student.
Academic Affairs partners cross-divisionally to enhance existing, and develop new, equity-driven, evidence-based interventions to promote student learning and student engagement, support retention, and increase degree completion.
First Semester Transition
First Semester Transition (FST 101) is a one-credit-hour, 15-week, required course for all new first-year students. The aim of the course is to assist first-year students with their transition to SIUE and set the stage for their success.
Visit the First Semester Transition website
Teaching for Inclusive Excellence in STEM
In Fall 2018, David Laude, PhD, professor of chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, visited SIUE to share with faculty and staff the successful outcomes of efforts to close equity gaps in his introductory chemistry courses. Following his visit was the launch of an effort at SIUE to address equity gaps in STEM and health sciences gateway courses—Teaching for Inclusive Excellence in STEM (TIES). Current participants include the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biological Sciences.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program allows students to engage in an innovative research project or creative activity under the guidance of a faculty mentor. In addition to exploring in-depth research or creative processes and developing close working relationships with faculty, URCA students develop essential skills (critical thinking, communication, problem solving, collaboration, etc.) that prepare them for the 21st century workforce.
