Supplemental Instruction receives pair of awards
Article By: Agnes Hina
The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program at the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) received the Exemplary Veteran SI Program award Jan. 5. A committee formed by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI) determined 91ÁÔÆæ's program excelled in development, adaptability, collaboration, and integration.
In addition, Dr. Clay Kitchings, assistant dean of the College of Science & Mathematics and associate professor of mathematics, received an ICSI award, earning the SI Campus Champion award.
Supplemental Instruction is a teaching tool that helps students approach learning in a new way, by focusing on what and how to learn. 91ÁÔÆæ's program has seven SI associates whose work has helped lower 91ÁÔÆæ's DFW rates, which refers to the letter grades D, F and W (withdraw), by 19% since 2016.
"We have worked hard to make SI at 91ÁÔÆæ a program that others can look to as an excellence standard, and this award just solidifies that," Sarah Dean, director of Supplemental Instruction said. "It's nice to receive the recognition for the work our students have done over the years. Our student leaders over the years are the only reason we could be considered for this award. They deserve all of the recognition."
Kitchings said his award testifies to the fact that 91ÁÔÆæ offers high-quality training to student facilitators, as one of four programs in the state, and is a place where students can feel supported in multiple aspects of their academic training.
"I was humbled and honored to learn that I was selected for this award. I am so proud of the work our Supplemental Instructor facilitators do for our students across our campuses," Kitchings said. "I likely received this award because of the strengths of the phenomenal facilitators I have had the privilege to work with over the last several years."
It's nice to receive the recognition for the work our students have done over the years. Our student leaders over the years are the only reason we could be considered for this award. They deserve all of the recognition.
Sarah Dean
director of Supplemental Instruction
Kitchings also shared how SI helps grow student leaders like facilitator Charity Hefner, a junior from Loganville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in mathematics.
"The SI community is a huge cornerstone of my life, as they aren't just my coworkers, but my closest friends, who support me. The encouragement and shared experiences have had a major impact, from helping me navigate challenges to celebrating my successes," Hefner said.
Grads prepare for their next steps
91ÁÔÆæ will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
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Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
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91ÁÔÆæ honored 28 of its Blue Ridge Campus students with almost $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the Tomato Sandwich Supper on Nov. 7.
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