The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (CTLL) in partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and funded by Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) began facilitation of a two semester professional learning opportunity open to for faculty of any rank, staff, and leadership that centers on partnering with students to bring their voices forward.
Internationally, higher education discussions about partnership, also known as students-as-partners or student-faculty/student-staff partnership, have steadily increased over the past decade. This professional learning experience expands the Pedagogical Partnerships approach developed by Cook-Sather et al. (2019) beyond faculty-student partnerships to create a “Four Corners” approach to student success. The partnership work we will engage in with students is grounded in guidance, consultation, and resources provided in discussions with campuses across the country engaging in similar efforts.
In this professional learning experience, participants will develop an action plan centering on co-creation with a student(s) they select. Together, they will build their understanding of students’ identities, experiences, and factors influencing academic success. Student partners will provide valuable insight in the co-creation of strategies and supports that increase CSU Pueblo students' sense of belonging, equitable and inclusive campus experiences, and persistence to graduation.
In the Fall 2023 term, the CTLL and the Office of DEI will facilitate professional learning sessions and collegial collaborations to support the development of Needs Assessments and Student Partnership Action Plans. In the Spring of 2024, campus partners will identify student(s) with whom they will partner to implement the Action Plan, adjust the plan based on student input if necessary, then implement it. A final report sharing outcomes and experiences will be co-created and submitted by campus and student partners in April 2024.
