Academic Affairs - Learning Programs

Learning Assistant Program

Background

Learning Assistants (LAs) are students whom have previously done well in a course and are seeking to help students strengthen their learning strategies and master course material. Informed by established learning theory, LAs are trained to use varied pedagogical practices such as facilitating group activities and discussions. Here are some further details of what the LA role entails.

What Do LAs Do?

Learning Assistants (LAs) are undergraduate peer educators who help to facilitate students’ learning both in & out of class. The LA experience involves practice, preparation, and pedagogy to support students’ success as well as LA’s success within the role.

CSU’s Learning Assistant (LA) Program is based on an evidence-informed model of peer-to peer academic support, and research strongly indicates that implementing the LA model with fidelity positive impacts all students (and positively impacts students from underrepresented & minoritized backgrounds even more). In fact, our data shows that LA-supported sections of courses have higher student success rates.

Alongside course instructors, our LAs work to make learning accessible and engaging for students, contribute to students’ success, and have a great time throughout it all.

On average, LAs work about 8-10 hours per week, spending their time:

  • working with the instructor and fellow LAs at weekly prep meetings to strategize how to best support students

  • attending lectures (and recitations) to facilitate active learning activities & address students’ questions

  • offering drop-in support to students during group learning sessions in TILT’s Great Hall

  • strengthening students’ knowledge and skills through one-on-one & small group tutoring

  • helping students prepare for upcoming exams through exam review sessions

  • reviewing course materials to further their own knowledge of course content

  • sharing their perspective and offering suggestions to improve students’ learning and experience in the course

Contact

Stacey Clark

Stacey Clark

Learning Assistant Program Coordinator

Academic Affairs

Contact

Phone: 970-491-2276

Email: Stacey.Clark@colostate.edu

Jennifer Roche

Jennifer Roche

Learning Assistant Program Coordinator

Academic Affairs

Jennifer joined The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) team at Colorado State University in January of 2022.  She completed her Bachelor's degree (Secondary English Education and Theater & Drama) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education) from the University of Northern Colorado. From her personal experiences in peer educator roles (Writing Fellow, Portfolio Liaison, and Resident Assistant), Jennifer developed a passion for reflective practices in learning & teaching. Throughout several years of classroom teaching and over 10 years in higher education (in both academic & student affairs, across several universities), Jennifer works to empower students by increasing their engagement & agency in their learning and development - in the classroom, campus employment, and college experience.  In her work with the Learning Assistant (LA) Program, Jennifer supervises teams of undergraduate LAs, mentors Lead LAs, and serves as an instructor for the pedagogy course required of all new LAs to support Learning Assistants in becoming effective educators.  Jennifer actively collaborates with faculty and their LA teams to build more equitable & dynamic learning communities in their courses.  Jennifer also serves as a facilitator for the ELEVATE training program to contribute to student supervisor development & positive employment experiences across campus.  In her personal life, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her partner & kiddos, especially in nature.

Contact

Email: jennifer.roche@colostate.edu

What do LAs get?

  • Pay rate of $13/hour
  • Lots of flexibility in determining how many hours they are interested in working throughout the semester
  • 1 academic credit for successful completion of the pedagogy course in their first semester (IU 274: Learning Assistants in Higher Ed)
  • Strong network of connections with other students, faculty, and staff across CSU
  • Valuable experience & skills

What does it take?

  • Successfully completing the course previously
  • Ability to attend lectures & weekly prep meetings
  • Ability to facilitate out-of-class learning activities
  • Ability to attend pedagogy course during first semester in the role
AlexCHEM 107 LA
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"The LA role definitely gives you an experience that will last a long time after this job. Working with the students – helping them progress through the course and figure out a lot of those things that maybe you struggled with when you took the course – it's really cool. And you get to build relationships with your students and your LA team - it’s a really fun experience."
McKennaBZ 110 LA
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"You build a lot of relevant skills and career competencies early on in the LA job. You gain an understanding of what the LA model is & in learning teaching skills, you become better at a lot of other things you never would have expected. Something I've noticed is that, for me personally, I’ve become more social, more communicative, better at public speaking, and more outgoing. I can't express it enough: it's just such a great job. It’s awesome."
LaurenLIFE 102 LA
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"One reason I love being an LA is because of the connections I have made with students, fellow LAs, and professors. Being an LA has also taught me how to step out of my comfort zone in many situations - and I will take those skills with me long past college."
EmilyLIFE 102 LA
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“My favorite part of this job is how much you learn from it. You would expect that, as a peer educator, you would spend your entire time teaching others, but as an LA, I have found that this program has taught me so much. You grow as an educator, but you also grow as a student and as a person.”
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