W hen students are struggling in their college classes, they have a few options. They can do nothing (not recommended), seek help from their instructor or head to tutoring.

At Georgia College & State University, our students in demanding classes have an additional option: to join The Learning Center and meet with a Supplemental Instructor, or SI leader. 

An SI leader is a student who just finished a course with high marks. They’re matched with professors within their discipline and audit a course alongside their peers. During the course, SIs offer close-knit study sessions, learning activities and advice.
 
This semester marks the 10th anniversary of Georgia College’s SI program—the first tutoring program to be accredited in Georgia.

“To say that more than 30% of students utilize our sessions is astounding. It beats every international average across the board,” said Jeanne Haslam, director of The Learning Center. “We get faculty buy-in and there’s great mentoring that happens between faculty and the SI leader.”

SI originated at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Now, The International Center for Supplemental Instruction located there accredits programs globally. Georgia College’s program is among them. 

In the spring of 2023, 50% of Georgia College students attended SI sessions for classes that are difficult to pass. Of the students who attended SI sessions, only 11% dropped, withdrew or failed the class—compared to 27% of those who did not participate in SI. 

“I think it’s a wonderful resource that the school provides that you don’t see in some other universities,” said Dr. Kelly Lee, ’15, lecturer of economics and former SI leader. “I think it makes a big difference for the students that use it.”

“To have as many resources as you can for students is the goal, so I’m thrilled and proud to be a part of it,” she said.

Lee attended SI sessions as an undergraduate, became an SI leader for the College of Business and Technology, and now those former professors are her colleagues. 

“It really helped me get a deeper understanding of the material, because even if you do well in a class, it doesn’t mean you understand it well enough to teach other people,” Lee said. “That’s really important if you’re going to grad school, so it gives our students a head start.”

And those same themes are echoed by students currently working as SI leaders and coaches (former SI leaders that now act as trainers and guides).

Senior biology and psychology double major Veronica Hein has been part of The Learning Center since she was a sophomore. Now, she’s an SI coach.

When the laptop of one of her SI leaders broke during a session—the icing on the cake of a bad day—Hein dropped everything to take over the session and allow the SI to go home.

“I hope that I can be a source of comfort for SI leaders, and someone they can go to when everything is wrong,” Hein said. “I know that I have someone to fall back on if things get hard, I love working with the people in The Learning Center and I love talking about things I’m passionate about.”

“I love science, and I love telling people about that,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a great little community that we have built.”

She coaches students and SI leaders like Heather Vincent, a junior biology major. Vincent’s been a leader for a year, and she instructs students in both biology and chemistry. 

“I get a lot out of it by presenting sessions twice a week—so it helps you get more comfortable talking to a crowd,” Vincent said. “You get to work one-on-one with coaches on what you can specifically improve on."

“They really help expand my horizons by showing me different ways to engage with people,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot academically, but it’s keeping me on the ball and helping me be a better leader too.”

From Sept. 25 to Sept. 29, The Learning Center is celebrating SI Appreciation Week. They will have food, giveaways and other fun activities to welcome newcomers and share what it’s all about.

The center is already recruiting for their spring SI leaders, who will then be matched with faculty members who need extra help. If you're thinking about becoming an SI leader (or want to learn more), reach out to Rebecca Cofer, assistant director of The Learning Center, at rebecca.cofer@gcsu.edu or visit her office in The Learning Center.
 
“I love being a part of The Learning Center,” Vincent said. “It’s such a welcoming environment. You know when you walk into a house, and it smells like warm cookies? That’s what I get when I go in.”