Student Engagement 1. Foundations of Scholar Success: A Peer-Led Course for Building Belonging and Academic Excellence
Lynette Yarger, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, Penn State University Schreyer Honors College
In 2023, the Schreyer Foundation designated $2.3 million to establish the Schreyer Family New Scholar Experience Endowment. The New Scholar Experience links the SHO TIME orientation with a dynamic new course, Foundations of Scholar Success, that provides a one-credit, semester-long curriculum to build awareness of the tools, resources, and strategies of learning and self-care and put first-year students on the path to flourishing across their Penn State experience.
The proposed presentation will describe the design, implementation, and preliminary results of the first offering of Foundations of Scholar Success. The primary learning objective of the course is to help first-year students find and strengthen community connections and support systems within the college to maximize a sense of belonging. Foundations of Scholar Success is taught in multiple, small course sections led by peer educators responsible for facilitating various activities, including engaging discussions, reflections, online activities, and group outings. Students explore their identities and perspectives, understand the unspoken expectations of the college experience, further develop the tools and skills needed to manage their academic and co-curricular responsibilities, engage in self-care to manage stress and anxiety, and navigate Schreyer and Penn State resources to enhance their academic success. To encourage self-reflection and wellbeing during their transition to college, students complete weekly video blogging assignments and monthly surveys to assess depression, anxiety, stress levels and stressors. The effectiveness and quality of instruction are monitored through weekly meetings with peer educators, and the quality of the course is measured through mid-semester and end-of-course surveys completed by students.
