Institute Description

Over a decade of research in social psychology indicates that learning mindsets play a role in students’ persistence and achievement; these mindsets are not fixed, but are shaped by messages students receive from society, from daily interactions and observations, and from their experiences in school.  By fostering a positive student experience in the classroom and beyond, individual instructors can increase a student’s likelihood of persevering through academic challenges to graduation.

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The P3 Collaboratory at Rutgers-Newark is launching The Student Belonging Institute for faculty interested in learning about and implementing evidence-informed teaching strategies that improve students’ classroom experiences and course outcomes. By participating in this community of practice, faculty will build expertise in inclusive teaching practices that foster successful outcomes for students of all backgrounds at Rutgers-Newark.

Student Belonging Institute Participants will:

• Revise course syllabi to include messaging and language proven to increase sense of belonging and growth mindset among students.

• Review course policies to ensure equitable experiences for all students.

• Utilize approaches to giving critical feedback in a way that engenders trust, increases academic engagement, and helps close academic outcome gaps.

• Implement practices to establish an identity-safe classroom where all students feel welcome and respected.

• Engage with training modules in the Student Experience Project curriculum library, designed by leading scholars in the field of inclusive teaching

• Meet twice in late Fall 2023 to plan for Spring term implementation. These meetings are scheduled for the weeks of November 27 and December 11 (during free periods).

• Survey students three (3) times throughout the Spring 2024 term using Ascend, a survey platform designed to help faculty reflect on and improve their teaching practices. 

• Meet as a community of practice three (3) times during Spring 2024 to discuss training modules and compare classroom experiences.

Incentives and Application Process:

• All full-time and part-time faculty, and graduate students in teaching roles, are welcome to apply. 

• Participants must commit to the shared meeting structure and planned classroom activities, i.e. completion of modules, implementation of new teaching approaches, and administration of surveys.

• Faculty who successfully complete the Institute will receive a $1,000 incentive.

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APPLY NOW! Application closes on 10/31/2023.

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Have questions? Please reach out to Catherine Clepper at cc1819@rutgers.edu with any queries about the The Student Belonging Institute community of practice or application process.

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