Engagement and Sense of Belonging Don't Just Happen; They are Designed
Our Vision
We envision a learning environment where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed—especially in large-enrollment courses. By partnering instructors with trained undergraduate Learning Assistants who bring academic experience, cultural insight, and a shared student perspective, we aim to foster inclusive, learner-centered classrooms that cultivate engagement, community, and a sense of belonging across all three schools at UC Merced.
Learning Assistants (LA) at UC Merced
Across many universities, Learning Assistants (LAs) are increasingly recognized for their vital role in supporting student success, not only by helping their peers navigate course content, but also by identifying and addressing academic stress, anxiety, and structural inequities. LAs foster peer-to-peer collaboration, promote intellectual risk-taking, and contribute to more inclusive, learner-centered classrooms. Their growing presence is reshaping how we think about support roles in higher education and their potential to shape the future.
Informational Session Slides [here]
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Information for Student
Related Articles
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Popichak KA, Gruber PE, Suchman EL, McLean JL.0.Implementing an undergraduate learning assistant model to foster engagement and professional development in microbiology courses. J Microbiol Biol Educ.0:e00042-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00042-25
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Barrasso, A.P., Spilios, K.E. A scoping review of literature assessing the impact of the learning assistant model. IJ STEM Ed 8, 12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00267-8
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Katriana A. Popichak, Paige E. Gruber, Erica L. Suchman, Jennifer L. McLean. Implementing an Undergraduate Learning Assistant Model to Foster Engagement and Professional Development in 338 Microbiology Courses. JMBE. Accepted 05/02/2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40503894/
