WCLCA NEWSLETTER

In this Issue:

Conference Takeaways

Introduction to the 2020 Conference Host

Summer Work in Learning Centers Introduction to New

Board Members Student Spotlight

Wisconsin College Learning Center Association June 2019

Getting Involved in WCLCA: There’s Something for Everyone! Jessica Spanbauer, UW Oshkosh

Jessica Spanbauer, UW Oshkosh, accepts the gavel and

WCLCA presidency from UWSP’s Trisha Lamers.

The third annual Wisconsin College Learning Center Association conference held on April 26 provided a professional development opportunity for our members to discuss their program’s successes and challenges with each other. Our host, Madison College, provided an ideal location, beautiful facilities, and a welcoming environ-ment for our members to network and learn from one another. Several sessions focused on training and student development while others presented on model programs and practices. With nearly 70 registrants for our WCLCA conference, we held our largest conference to date. In order to continue growing our membership and organization, I would like to encourage members to step forward and contribute their time and talent in order to make that happen. When someone first approached me to run for the VP position in WCLCA, I hesitated at first in thinking about adding more to my plate. However, once the time commitment and responsibilities were explained to me along with the benefits, I could see how manageable it would be. A leadership role may not be for everyone, but there are so many other ways to get involved and contribute to our organization. It could be as simple as submitting a picture with a caption for our Facebook or Twitter page or composing an article for our newsletter. With new professional development opportunities such as site visits on the horizon, we hope to foster connections and create mutually beneficial experiences for our members.

“Service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to

be meaningful and make a difference.”

-Cheryl A. Esplin

Experiences at My First WCLCA Conference Kate Irons, Mid-State Technical College

This year’s WCLCA conference at Madison Tech was the first of its kind for me so I didn’t know what to expect. I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. I have been in academia for a long time but am new to the world of Adult Basic Education. I found the confer-ence to be stimulating and beneficial. The presenters were knowledgeable and passionate about their topics. There were some major takeaways which I will use both in our LiNK at Mid-State Technical College and in my Introduction to Psychology class.

One of the sessions that I went to was presented by Karen Ball of Edgewood College. Karen dis-cussed math co-requisites and two activities for both the class as a whole and individual students to participate in and gain a greater understanding of various concepts. I would like to concentrate on the activities as I found them both valuable and user-friendly.

The first activity was called “Beautiful Questions” where the class identified a specific topic they were interested in and then proceeded to ask approximately 30 questions about that topic. A Mind Map was created on the white board with the central topic in the middle and then was opened up to the class to identify questions about it. Once the questions were asked the students needed to decide if the questions were categorical or quantitative. The class would then take the semester to answer the questions which allowed the students to learn thoroughly about the sub-ject. I felt that this was a great team-building opportunity to allow the students to work together from the very beginning of the semester and then create unity throughout the rest of the term.

The second activity was known as “Collect 1, 2, 3.” This exercise had individual students come up with a topic to be researched and the students then had to use one print source, two online sources and three online video sources to find out more about it. After all of this was completed the students would then have to report back to the class about their findings. This would be an outstanding in-class or homework assignment because it helps to teach students to use different sources when researching an idea.

I loved both of these ideas because they help our students to not just look at the basics but delve a little more deeply into subject matter that we might not be able to spend a lot of time on in an Introductory class but that students want to learn more about.

This was just one session of the conference where I received useful information that could help change the way I approach active learning. In the beginning of this article I stated that this was my first but not last attendance at a WCLCA conference. Well done and thank you!

Future Presenter Workshop—Photo by Barb Stoll

Katie Snitker, Southwest Technical College

What a delight it was to attend the WCLCA Con-ference and be in the company of other learning center professionals who are dedicated to and enthusiastic about student success! With summer projects and preparation for the upcoming fall semester underway, it has been exciting to pull out my notes from the conference and get to work!

I left the conference with new ideas for our learn-ing center to potentially implement and am currently exploring early alert campaigns, certifi-cation for our staff, logos, and a targeted outreach strategy for students who are retaking a class.

I am also working to improve processes that we already have in place, such as how to make our proactive outreach to students during class-room visits more student centered.

Besides leaving the conference with fresh ideas, I also left feeling inspired by the great work being done across the state of Wisconsin to support students’ success and thankful for the opportunity to spend the day in such good company!

Takeaways from the WCLCA Conference

Targeted Outreach & Intentional Interventions—Photo by Barb Stoll

About Our 2020 WCLCA Conference Host Emily Janssen, Mid-State Technical College

Mid-State Technical College is one of 16 regional colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College system. Named for its central location, Mid-State has four campuses in Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids. The College offers Technical Diploma and Associate Degree programs ranging from Automotive Technician to Nursing to the state’s only Urban Forestry Technician program.

The LiNK is Mid-State’s learning center and library, with a physical space and similar services at each of the four campuses. Learning

assistance at the LiNK extends beyond students currently enrolled in Mid-State degree and diploma programs. As an Adult Basic Education (ABE) center, the LiNK also serves students pursuing a GED, practicing for employment testing, or preparing to enter Mid-State courses. For current degree/diploma students, services include drop-in assistance and appointment tutoring, provided by faculty, instructional staff, peer tutors, and professional tutors.

The 2020 WCLCA conference will take place at Mid-State’s Wisconsin Rapids campus. The Rapids campus boasts a newly remodeled student services center, as well as state-of-the art science and technology labs. But what sets the Wisconsin Rapids campus apart for many visitors is its expansive grounds, featuring ample green space, several ponds, and walking trails.

Many conference activities will take place at the LiNK. Remodeled in summer 2017, the Rapids LiNK includes two classrooms, a large lab/library space, and numerous collaborative study rooms. The space is equipped with a wide variety of seating options, computers, and interactive white-boards.

Mid-State is excited to welcome WCLCA to its Wisconsin Rapids campus! We hope to see you all there in spring 2020.

The Shape of Summer Douglas Wandersee, Edgewood College

Years ago, when I worked at Iowa State University (go Cyclones!), a fellow staff member told me

that a good day for him was when he made something change shape. He worked in the Theater

Department, so it was easy to understand what he meant.

That comment still resonates with me. In fact, I am convinced that most of my work involves

shaping stuff...spaces, programs, staff, services, and most importantly, our students. Summer is a

time to really consider that shape and imagine what it could be.

But first, I have a confession: the end of the school year always takes me by surprise. Every year, I

try to pay attention and prepare for it. And every year, it is suddenly here, done, and gone. The

ride comes to a jarring halt, leaving me a bit woozy as I struggle to climb out.

So, I have another confession: I never actually look forward to the end of the school year. Sure, I

welcome a slower pace with less chaos, and a little more peace and quiet. For an introvert like me,

it is probably necessary. However, the truth is, I start missing the students almost right away.

Therefore, summer starts out feeling a bit nostalgic. I find myself doing what I imagine many of

you do as we transition from closing one year to opening another. I sort. I sort through trays,

stacks, drawers, and files, trying to shape the remains of the past year. And while I sort, I reflect. I

am not sure we reflect enough, frankly, and we certainly do not get to do it much during the year

when things are in full swing.

A look back can remind you of that idea jotted down at a meeting. Or it can be an opportunity to

think about something that didn’t go so well, and how you might go about it differently. It can also

be a chance to take all that data you gathered, put it

together and make decisions based on those results.

Summer also gives me the chance to lift my head, see

a horizon, and shape where to go. During the school

year, I tend to deal with mostly practical and immedi-

ate things. They are necessary, but do not always lead to progress. Summer is a time to cast

forward and make plans. I love this time to build and shape. And imagine.

Summer is a rare space. We have the opportunity to truly consider the shape of things and

consider what lies ahead. In just about three months, a new beginning will take place. Then we all

get to be a part of changing the shape of all the students who will again cross our paths.

Have a great summer. I hope you make something change shape.

“Summer is a time to cast forward and

make plans. I love this time to build and

shape. And imagine.”

At the annual conference, our WCLCA board transitioned into a new term. We would like to extend a special thanks to Faith Pawelski, who served as the original WCLCA secretary for 2.5 years. She

was instrumental in helping us grow our membership list through her outreach, and we appreciate everything she has done.

Immediate Past President: Trisha Lamers, UW Stevens Point

President: Jessica Spanbauer, UW Oshkosh

Vice President: Karen Ball, Edgewood College

Secretary: Holly Hassemer, Chippewa Valley Technical College

Treasurer: Mary Knasinski, UW Milwaukee

Marketing and Communications Officers: Sarah Kofler & Crystal Soderman, UW Oshkosh

Get to Know Your WCLCA Board

I am thrilled about joining the board for WCLCA. I am passionate about student success and believe wholeheartedly in the work we do to help students achieve their academic goals. I have extensive experience developing educational transition programs and about six years ago, I focused on implementing these programs in higher education. While much of my time is dedicated to developmental math and structures for support in math courses, I also work with our conditional admission program, early alerts and academic probation. I look forward to working and connecting with many of you about opportunities for us to collaborate and continue serving students as they navigate their educational experiences. On a personal note, I live in Madison with my partner and two children. We stay busy traveling, taking trips whenever we can. Our goal is to hit all 50 states and our tally now stands at 30!

Board Member Spotlight

Karen Ball

Holly Hassemer

I am excited to serve as the Secretary for WCLCA, following in the footsteps of my longtime colleague and mentor Faith Pawelski. I have been working in education for twenty years. My first teaching job was at an alternative high school in Monona, WI, which I sort of took because I needed a job (though I was very intrigued by teaching in a non-traditional setting). Little did I know that would set me on a path to viewing quality educational opportunities for our most marginalized youth (and later adults) as the passion of my career. In both K12 and higher ed (where I have worked for a decade), I firmly believe in the imperative that human and financial resources be devoted to helping society’s most vulnerable individuals access better lives. This strengthens our society! It is this philosophy that I bring to my work as an adult education instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College. I work on a little branch campus of our college in River Falls, and our Learning Center serves both students taking credit-bearing courses or programs (such as nursing, electronics, and liberal arts) and community members prepping for their GEDs and/or learning English. I supervise tutors and teach face-to-face classes. It’s a fun job!

Student Spotlight

Jordan Molter, Tutor University of Wisconsin Green Bay

I am Jordan Molter, and I am a tutor at The Learning Center. I am majoring in Human Biology with a Health Science emphasis in hopes of becoming a dentist. This is my third year with The Learning Center here at UW - Green Bay. I started tutoring my sophomore year, helping others in math and biology. Since then, I have taken on more classes such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, and anatomy. Being with The Learning Center for three years, I have seen it undergo many changes. When I first started, the center was hidden in a small room in a hallway beneath the library. Today, we are now located on the plaza level of the Cofrin library in the open for all students to see. It is fun to see how much The Learning Center is growing ever since we moved to the plaza level. Moving to the plaza level of the library made many more students come for help. Helping more students brought joy to me as I was able to help them succeed in their classes. There is no better feeling than working with someone who is driven and see their hard work pay off when they tell me they did well on a test.

I believe as a tutor, I am there to help students understand difficult concepts, encourage them, and help build effective study habits. Being a science major, I know how difficult many of the classes are. I encourage my students by sharing experiences with them for encouragement to let them know they are not the only ones finding the class difficult. I then explain my answers to their ques-tions from different perspectives to find a way they understand the best. Being able to connect with a student that way is important because it’s crucial to find a way for them to understand to learn.

Connecting with people and finding ways to best help them learn is an essential skill I have learned as a tutor. This skill helps me outside of tutoring because it builds my communication skills when interacting with fellow students in class or in study groups. This skill will also help me in the future as a dentist because I need to be able to clearly communicate any issues with my patients so there is no confusion on what the proper follow up should be.

I am excited to continue working with other students and help them succeed. I also look forward to seeing how The Learning Center will continue to grow this year and keep being a quality re-source for students.

“There is no better feeling than working with

someone who is driven and see their hard work pay

off when they tell me they did well on a test.”

Contact Us (and Follow Us!)

Wisconsin College Learning Center Association—WCLCA

@WCLCA_WI

wclca.wildapricot.org

Join us at the annual NCLCA conference!

Conference registration link:

https://nclca.wildapricot.org/conf_registration