S04-E26 We feature an interview with Kristen who is the program manager for the peer study group program at Housatonic Community College in Connecticut. She shares about the rapid growth of the SI program and the challenges faced by implementing it at a two-year institution. Kristen finishes the interview by sharing what she has learned personally and professionally from her experiences in the program and with the SI leaders.

In addition to this audio episode, I also provide several PDF documents: first, is an overview of Housatonic Community College and second is an infographic about the peer study group program.

Supplemental Instruction programs are less common at two-year institutions than at four-year ones in the U.S. HCC was the first community college in the state of Connecticut to implement SI. It was piloted in the Developmental Studies department and then rapidly expanded throughout the campus due to its early success.

In the Community College environment, where it is more difficult to cultivate relationships, this program facilitates this need and creates a support network by encouraging relationships in and out of the classroom. Housatonic Community College’s Supplemental Instruction Program develops academic support communities of higher-level thinkers and self-empowered learners. This self-selecting, course-specific, peer-led program seeks to promote active, collaborative learning involving critical thinking and transferable study skills that leads to a feeling of empowerment to complete their goals toward their Associate Degree and beyond.

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